LicensedRental

Georgia county rules

DeKalb County, GA vacation rental rules and taxes

DeKalb County started licensing short-term rentals in its unincorporated areas on May 20, 2026 ($175 a year, plus an 8% county excise tax). Its cities have their own rules: Dunwoody bans short-term rentals, and Brookhaven, Doraville, and Stone Mountain limit them to owner-occupied homes or set caps.

Checked against official sources November 6, 2026
Market
About 1,300 Airbnb listings outside Atlanta
Decatur 432, Stone Mountain 188, Tucker 99, Stonecrest 70, Lithonia 62, Brookhaven 48, Dunwoody 46 (AirROI). Part of Atlanta is also in DeKalb.Source
Sales tax
8% (8.9% in Atlanta)
Hotel-motel tax
3% to 8%
County 8% in unincorporated areas; Decatur, Brookhaven, Dunwoody, Tucker, Chamblee, Doraville, Stonecrest 8%; Stone Mountain 5%; Clarkston 3%.Source

Lithonia is not covered yet; we didn’t find its code online. Ask City Hall.

The City of Atlanta’s DeKalb part follows Atlanta’s license rules; see the Atlanta page under Fulton County.

What to do

  1. Find out who governs your address

    DeKalb’s county license covers only unincorporated areas. If you are in a city, that city’s rules and hotel-motel tax apply instead. 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

Towns

Full guide

Avondale Estates

Avondale Estates’ zoning code defines a short-term rental as lodging in an owner-occupied home, so whole-home rentals by owners who live elsewhere don’t fit the definition. Ask the city where the use is allowed and what license you need.

Full guide

Brookhaven

Brookhaven allows short-term rentals only in a home the owner lives in, has owned for over a year, and claims a homestead exemption on. Each owner may hold one permit, rentals are capped at 180 days a year, and companies and trusts can’t apply. Stays pay 8% sales tax plus the city’s 8% hotel-motel tax.

Full guide

Chamblee

Chamblee requires a yearly short-term rental certificate and a home occupation tax certificate. Whole homes with six or more bedrooms can’t be rented short-term, and room rentals need a resident on site. Stays pay 8% sales tax plus the city’s 8% hotel-motel tax.

Full guide

Clarkston

We found no short-term rental permit or rules in Clarkston’s code. Stays owe 8% sales tax + 3% hotel-motel tax + $5/night; Airbnb collects these on its bookings.

Full guide

Decatur

Decatur treats short-term rentals as overnight lodging: you file an application with the city and follow occupancy, parking, and noise standards. Rentals are allowed in accessory dwellings but not in sheds, RVs, or tents. Stays pay 8% sales tax plus the city’s 8% hotel-motel tax.

Full guide

Doraville

Doraville requires a yearly short-term rental certificate (business tax certificate) and a local agent who can reach the property within 24 hours, or 2 hours in an emergency. Renting individual rooms requires the owner to be home. Stays pay 8% sales tax plus the city’s 8% hotel-motel tax.

Full guide

Dunwoody

Dunwoody says its code prohibits short-term rentals (stays under 30 days) of single-family and multifamily homes, including Airbnb and Vrbo bookings. Enforcement is based on complaints.

Full guide

Pine Lake

Pine Lake allows short-term rentals only with a special use permit in its R-1 or transitional commercial areas, and caps them at 20 lots citywide. You then need a yearly license ($100 application). Guests are limited to 8.

Full guide

Stone Mountain

Stone Mountain allows whole-house vacation rentals only in its village center (VCM) zone or with a special use permit from city council, and caps them at 60 permits a year. Guests can stay at most 14 days in any 90. Owner-occupied homestays (one room) are licensed separately. Stays pay 8% sales tax plus the city’s 5% hotel-motel tax.

Full guide

Stonecrest

Stonecrest requires a business tax certificate for each short-term rental ($100 a year) and keeps rentals at least 500 feet apart. Guests are limited to 2 per bedroom, with one off-street space per bedroom and a landline-type phone for 911. Stays pay 8% sales tax plus the city hotel-motel tax.

Full guide

Tucker

We found no short-term rental permit or rules in Tucker’s code. Stays owe 8% sales tax + 8% hotel-motel tax + $5/night; Airbnb collects these on its bookings.

Full guide

Unincorporated DeKalb County

Since May 20, 2026, short-term rentals in unincorporated DeKalb need a county license ($175 a year) before they are listed, and the county collects an 8% excise tax. Rentals are not allowed in locally designated historic districts, and party or event bookings are banned. Stays pay 8% sales tax too.

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.