LicensedRental

Dougherty County, Georgia

Unincorporated Dougherty County, GA vacation rental requirements

Dougherty County requires a yearly short-term vacation rental certificate ($50) and an occupational tax certificate for any home rented for 30 days or less. You must name a 24-hour agent, send letters to neighbors, and post house rules.

Checked against official sources November 6, 2026

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Rental certificate
$50 a year, non-refundable
Doubled for rentals that started after April 1, 2025 without one.Source
Also required
Occupational tax certificate (OTC)
Local agent
On site within 24 hours of a county notice
Taxes
9% sales + 8% county hotel-motel + $5/night

Fines are $500 for a first violation and $750 for a second within 12 months; a third leads to revocation. Three violations in 12 months revoke the certificate for 12 months.

Tell planning and development services within 5 business days if your agent changes.

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.

Dougherty County, Georgia

  1. Then your city or area

    Business licenses, zoning, and the local hotel-motel tax are set by each city and the county. Pick your area.

Dougherty County (unincorporated areas)

  1. Apply for the certificate each year

    File the county’s sworn application with the $50 fee. Include proof of ownership, your agent’s 24-hour contact, the maximum occupancy you advertise, your on-site parking spaces, proof of homeowner’s insurance that lists the home as a short-term rental, and a sworn code compliance form. Condos need a declaration that allows rentals under 30 days.Source

  2. Notify your neighbors first

    Before the first certificate, send adjacent owners (including those across the street or alley) and same-block residents the address, maximum occupancy and parking, your posted rules, and your agent’s name and contact. Give the county proof.Source

  3. Post the certificate and rules

    Post the certificate (with the agent’s contact, certificate number, maximum occupancy, and maximum vehicles), your OTC, and written house rules on noise, occupancy, and eviction for violations.Source

  4. Taxes on each stay

    Stays here owe 9% 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. Dougherty County’s 8% hotel-motel tax is paid to the county finance director.Source

House rules for guests

Occupancy
Set by IRC habitable space; limited to on-site parking
Source
Parking
Only on gravel, concrete, asphalt, or other improved surfaces
Source
Minimum stay
24 hours
Source
Signs
No signs or exterior changes
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.