LicensedRental

DeKalb County, Georgia

Unincorporated DeKalb County, GA vacation rental requirements

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.

Checked against official sources November 6, 2026

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County license
$175 a year
Plus a small processing fee. Renewed on the approval anniversary. Not transferable.Source
Where allowed
Residential districts, not historic districts
No license in locally designated historic districts.Source
County excise tax
8%
Due to the Business License Division by the 20th of each month.Source
Taxes
8% sales + 8% excise + $5/night

The county told existing operators to get a license within 30 days of the May 20, 2026 launch. If you missed that, apply now.

The county says a separate business license is not currently required for a short-term rental.

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

DeKalb County (unincorporated areas)

  1. Apply on the county’s STR portal

    Apply through the county’s short-term rental portal, not the ePermitting system. Upload a government ID, proof of ownership (deed, tax bill, insurance policy, or mortgage statement), a parking site plan, your 24-hour agent’s contact, and the signed acknowledgment. Approval usually takes 3 to 5 business days.Source

    DeKalb STR portal →

  2. Keep your agent current

    You can be your own 24-hour agent. Tell the county within 5 business days if the agent or contact details change.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. DeKalb County’s 8% excise tax is filed monthly with the Business License Division (through its Rentalscape portal) by the 20th.Source

House rules for guests

Events
No parties, weddings, or concerts
Advertising a rental for events can cost you the license.Source
Condos and townhomes
Only if HOA or lease rules allow
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.