LicensedRental

Clayton County, Georgia

Unincorporated Clayton County, GA vacation rental requirements

Unincorporated Clayton County regulates short-term rentals in two places: a business code that requires a county business license, a yearly permit, and an inspection, and a zoning section that requires registration, a 24/7 manager, and caps of 12 overnight guests. Stays pay 8% sales tax plus the county’s 8% hotel-motel tax.

Checked against official sources November 6, 2026

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County license and permit
Business license + yearly unit permit
The unit is inspected for building and fire codes before the permit is issued.Source
Zoning registration
Required in residential districts
With the Zoning Administrator; fees set by the Board of Commissioners.Source
Maximum guests
2 per room + 2, up to 12
Up to 5 guest rooms; daytime limit 6 more.Source
Taxes
8% sales + 8% hotel-motel + $5/night

The two county code sections don’t match: the business code says a rental must be in or next to the owner’s own home, while the zoning standards apply to rentals without the owner in residence. Ask Clayton County Community Development which rule it enforces.

Only one rental is allowed per parcel unless the county grants a conditional use permit.

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

Clayton County (unincorporated areas)

  1. Register and get a county business license

    Register the rental with the Zoning Administrator (owner, responsible party with a 24/7 phone, proof of ownership, signed acknowledgments), and get a county business license. Put the license number in every ad.Source

  2. Pass the inspection and get the unit permit

    The county inspects for building and fire codes before issuing the yearly unit permit. All guest parking must be on your lot.Source

  3. Post the standards and fix problems fast

    Post the permit and standards within 6 feet of the front door. Your manager must answer 24/7 and fix complaints within 60 minutes. Listings must show the maximum guests, vehicles, quiet hours (10 p.m. to 8 a.m.), and the manager’s contact.Source

  4. 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. Clayton County’s hotel-motel tax is 8%. For direct bookings, ask the county where to file it.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.