Georgia county rules
Fulton County, GA vacation rental rules and taxes
Fulton County is Georgia’s biggest rental market, led by the City of Atlanta with about 6,000 Airbnb listings. Almost all of the county is now inside cities, and most cities set their own rules: Atlanta licenses every rental, Sandy Springs requires the owner to live on site, and College Park bans short-term rentals.
Checked against official sources November 6, 2026Since South Fulton took in Fulton Industrial in 2021, almost no unincorporated land is left in Fulton County, so we have no unincorporated page. If your bill shows no city, call Fulton County.
Palmetto and Mountain Park are not covered yet. Ask the city hall about permits and taxes.
What to do
Find your city
Nearly every Fulton address is inside a city, and each city sets its own permit, zoning, and hotel-motel tax rules. Check your city on your property tax bill, then pick it below.
Know what the platform collects
Airbnb collects state and local sales tax, the $5 state fee, and the city hotel-motel tax on its bookings. For direct bookings you file them yourself.Source
Towns
Alpharetta
Alpharetta requires a yearly short-term rental license for rentals in residential areas, plus an occupation tax certificate. Guests are limited to 2 per bedroom and 15 overnight, with one paved parking space per bedroom. Stays pay 7.75% sales tax plus the city’s 8% hotel-motel tax.
Full guideAtlanta
Every short-term rental in Atlanta needs a city license ($150 a year), and the license number must appear in every listing. Through December 31, 2026, a host can license only their primary residence plus one other unit; a September 2026 ordinance removes that limit on January 1, 2027. Stays pay 8.9% sales tax plus Atlanta’s 8% hotel-motel tax.
Full guideChattahoochee Hills
Chattahoochee Hills requires a short-term rental permit and business license each year and caps rentals at 20% of homes in a phase or block. Guests are limited to 2 per bedroom, up to 12, and a local contact must respond within 60 minutes. Stays pay 7.75% sales tax plus the city’s 8% hotel-motel tax.
Full guideCollege Park
College Park’s zoning code lists vacation rentals and limited lodging as prohibited uses in every zoning district, and a June 2026 ordinance makes it unlawful to list, book, or operate one. We found no way to get a permit.
Full guideEast Point
East Point licenses two kinds of short-term rentals: homestays in the owner’s own home ($75 a year) and whole-house rentals ($150 a year plus a business license). Stays pay 8.75% sales tax plus the city’s 8% hotel-motel tax.
Full guideFairburn
Fairburn requires a short-term rental permit and an occupation tax license, a city-approved safety inspection every three years, and notice to nearby owners. Its ordinance covers stays of 1 to 24 nights. Stays pay 7.75% sales tax plus the city’s 3% hotel-motel tax.
Full guideHapeville
Hapeville issues short-term rental permits only to owners who live in the city with a homestead exemption, for at most two rentals (one must be their home). The city caps permits at 100 a year. Fees are $250 for your home and $1,000 for a second unit. Stays pay 8.75% sales tax plus the city’s 8% hotel-motel tax.
Full guideJohns Creek
We found no short-term rental permit or rules in Johns Creek’s code. Stays owe 7.75% sales tax + 7% hotel-motel tax + $5/night; Airbnb collects these on its bookings.
Full guideMilton
We found no short-term rental permit or rules in Milton’s code. Stays owe 7.75% sales tax + 3% hotel-motel tax + $5/night; Airbnb collects these on its bookings.
Full guideRoswell
Since June 2025 Roswell requires an occupational tax certificate for every short-term rental and a fire marshal inspection before you list and every year after. Stays pay 7.75% sales tax plus the city’s 8% hotel-motel tax.
Full guideSandy Springs
Sandy Springs allows short-term rentals only at a home the owner lives in, shown by a Fulton County homestead exemption. You need a city business license, a yearly unit permit after a building and fire inspection, and no more than 4 unrelated adult guests. Stays pay 7.75% sales tax plus the city’s 7% hotel-motel tax.
Full guideSouth Fulton
South Fulton’s 2025 ordinance requires a city short-term rental permit ($200 a year), $500,000 in liability insurance, and public notice to neighbors within 300 feet before approval. Your agent must reach the property within 45 minutes. Stays pay 7.75% sales tax plus the city’s 8% hotel-motel tax.
Full guideUnion City
We found no short-term rental permit or rules in Union City’s code. Stays owe 7.75% sales tax + 5% hotel-motel tax + $5/night; Airbnb collects these on its bookings.
Sources
- Occupancy tax collection and remittance by Airbnb in Georgia · Airbnb
- Best Airbnb markets in Georgia (active listings by city) · AirROI
- Sales and use tax rate chart, effective October 1, 2026 · Georgia Department of Revenue
- Hotel/motel excise tax rates and revenue report · Georgia Department of Community Affairs
- South Fulton gets Fulton Industrial, spells end for unincorporated land (May 13, 2021) · The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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.