LicensedRental

Cherokee County, Georgia

Canton, GA vacation rental requirements

Canton requires a yearly short-term rental certificate with its occupational tax certificate, a parking plan, and a city inspection. Guests are capped at 2 adults per bedroom plus 2, and only one party of guests can stay at a time.

Checked against official sources November 6, 2026

Download checklist (PDF)Free. A printable version of this guide to tick off, with the official sources.

Only when this town’s rules, fees, or forms change. Unsubscribe anytime.

City certificate
Required, renewed yearly
Filed as an addendum to the occupational tax certificate or home occupation license.Source
Maximum guests
2 adults per bedroom + 2
Up to 5 bedrooms offered.Source
Agent
On site within 2 hours
Taxes
7% sales tax + 8% hotel-motel tax + $5/night

Your licensing checklist

In order: the state, the county, then the town.

State of Georgia

  1. Know what the platform collects

    Airbnb collects state and local sales tax, the $5-a-night state hotel-motel fee, and the local hotel-motel tax on its Georgia bookings. Ask any other platform what it collects, and keep records either way.Source

  2. Register for direct bookings

    If guests book and pay you directly, register for sales tax with the Georgia Tax Center and file the local hotel-motel tax with your city or county. If your city or county requires a business license or occupation tax for the rental, the DOR treats you as an innkeeper and you also owe the $5 state fee on direct bookings.Source

    Georgia Tax Center →

  3. Check your city or county

    Most of the rules are local: short-term rental permits, business licenses (occupation tax), zoning limits, and caps. Some cities ban rentals in residential zones. Pick your area.

Cherokee County, Georgia

  1. Then your city or area

    Inside a city, the city’s own hotel-motel tax normally applies instead of the county’s; ask your city to confirm. Pick your area.

City of Canton

  1. Prepare a parking plan

    Show the number and location of spaces on the property. No parking in the yard.Source

  2. Apply and schedule the inspection

    Include a sample rental agreement, proof of insurance, the agent’s certification, and an HOA or condo association statement if you’re in one. The city may inspect before approving or renewing.Source

  3. Taxes on each stay

    Stays here owe 7% sales tax, the local hotel-motel tax, and the $5-a-night state fee. Airbnb collects all three on its bookings. For direct bookings, file sales tax (and the $5 fee, if you need a local license) with the Georgia Tax Center. For direct bookings, file the City of Canton’s 8% hotel-motel tax with the city, and keep records of each stay.Source

Inspection checklist

What the inspector looks for, from City of Canton’s published checklist.

  • Working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in every bedroom and on every habitable floor

Sources

A plain-language summary to help you prepare, not legal advice. Rules and fees change; confirm with the office before you apply. Spot something out of date? Email hello@licensedrental.com.