LicensedRental

Clayton County, Georgia

Jonesboro, GA vacation rental requirements

Jonesboro allows short-term rentals as a conditional use in some zones with a yearly city license, a home inspector’s report, and a business license. Guests must be 25 or older, and only 10% of homes in the historic districts may be rentals. Stays pay 8% sales tax plus the city’s 8% hotel-motel tax.

Checked against official sources November 6, 2026

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

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Zoning
R-2, R-4, H-1, H-2, O&I, M-X
As a conditional use under the short-term rental article.Source
Licenses
STR license + business license, yearly
Regulatory fee due by December 15 for the next year.Source
Historic districts
10% cap
First come, first served.Source
Maximum guests
4 (up to 2 bedrooms), else 2 per bedroom
The renter must be at least 25.Source
Taxes
8% sales + 8% hotel-motel + $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.

Clayton County, Georgia

  1. Find who governs your address

    Cities set their own rules; unincorporated areas follow the county code. Pick your area below.

  2. Know what the platform collects

    Airbnb collects state and local sales tax, the $5 state fee, and the local hotel-motel tax on its bookings.Source

City of Jonesboro

  1. Get a home inspection

    Hire a certified home inspector to confirm the unit meets life safety and habitability codes, including the floor plan.Source

  2. Apply for the license

    Apply under oath with the inspection report, proof of ownership and insurance, city sanitation enrollment, a sample rental agreement, and your agent. Give written notice to owners within 250 feet with your agent’s contact.Source

  3. Taxes on each stay

    Stays here owe 8% 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. Jonesboro’s hotel-motel tax is 8%. For direct bookings, file it with the city.Source

House rules for guests

Parking
Off-street only
Source
Guest register
Required
Source
ADUs
House or ADU, not both
Source

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.