LicensedRental

DeKalb County, Georgia

Doraville, GA vacation rental requirements

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.

Checked against official sources November 6, 2026

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City certificate
Required, renewed yearly
Fee set by the city fee schedule.Source
Agent
On site within 24 hours (2 in emergencies)
Room rentals
Up to 2 rooms, owner present
Taxes
8% sales + 8% hotel-motel + $5/night

The code defines owner-occupancy (shown by a homestead exemption). Ask the city whether whole-home rentals by non-resident owners are allowed in your zoning district.

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.

DeKalb County, Georgia

  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

City of Doraville

  1. Apply under oath

    Include the owners, the unit address, any room-rental diagram, your agent, parking, a code compliance form, and proof of ownership. Condos and apartments need written approval or a declaration that allows rentals under 30 days.Source

  2. Post the certificate and guest notice

    Post the certificate with the agent’s contact, maximum occupancy, and vehicle limit, plus the city’s guest notice. Put the certificate number in every ad. No rentals shorter than 24 hours.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. Doraville’s hotel-motel tax is 8%. For direct bookings, file it with the city.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.