LicensedRental

Fannin County, Georgia

Blue Ridge, GA vacation rental requirements

Inside Blue Ridge city limits, new short-term rentals are allowed only on property zoned Central Business District (CBD). You need a city rental certificate, an occupation tax certificate, and a $100 annual permit fee, and the city charges an 8% hotel-motel tax.

Checked against official sources November 6, 2026

Download checklist (PDF)Free. A printable version of this guide to tick off, with the official sources.

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Zoning
CBD only
Rentals elsewhere that were already paying hotel-motel tax are grandfathered until the property sells (C-1 and C-2 rentals can continue after a sale).Source
City certificate
Required, plus $100 a year
Non-refundable application fee set by council, plus the $100 annual permit fee.Source
Fine
At least $250 per rental
For renting without a certificate; each occurrence is a separate offense.Source
Taxes
7% sales tax + 8% hotel-motel tax + $5/night

Homes rented less than 14 days a year aren’t covered by the ordinance.

Most “Blue Ridge” cabins are outside city limits and follow Fannin County’s rules instead. Check your tax bill or ask the city.

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.

Fannin County, Georgia

  1. Then your city or area

    Permits, zoning, and the hotel-motel tax depend on whether you’re inside a city. Pick your area.

City of Blue Ridge

  1. Confirm your zoning

    Check that your property is zoned CBD. If you rented before the 2023 ordinance and paid the monthly hotel-motel tax, ask the city whether your rental is grandfathered.Source

  2. Apply under oath

    List the owners, a 24-hour rental agent who answers city calls within 24 hours, the maximum occupancy you advertise, your guest agreement, proof of ownership, and proof of a visible rental sign with the 911 address.Source

  3. Get an occupation tax certificate and pay the annual fee

    Pay the $100 annual permit fee to the planning and zoning department. The certificate doesn’t transfer to a new owner.Source

  4. Taxes on each stay

    Stays here owe 7% 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. File the city’s 8% hotel-motel tax monthly with the City of Blue Ridge, and list each listing’s platform ID number on the return.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.