LicensedRental

Lumpkin County, Georgia

Dahlonega, GA vacation rental requirements

Dahlonega allows short-term rentals in every zoning district except R-1 single-family (rentals there before August 15, 2020 may continue). You need a $100 yearly city license, an occupation tax certificate, one off-street space per bedroom, and no more than 4 guests per bedroom.

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
All districts except R-1
In PUDs, the approved plan governs.Source
City license
$100 a year
Maximum guests
4 per bedroom
Taxes
8% sales tax + 8% hotel-motel tax + $5/night

Three violations in 12 months blocks the property for 12 months; fines start at $250.

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.

Lumpkin 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 Dahlonega

  1. Sign the code compliance form

    Certify that the home meets zoning, building, health, and life safety codes, and get your occupation tax certificate and hotel-motel tax account first.Source

  2. Install the safety equipment

    A 10-lb ABC extinguisher on every level, certified yearly by a licensed company; interconnected smoke detectors in every bedroom and on every level; CO detectors on each level, 5 feet off the floor.Source

  3. Mark the boundaries and name a manager

    Have your property lines marked and approved by Community Development. Send your local manager’s contact to Community Development, the Lumpkin County Sheriff and Fire Department, city police, and every owner within 300 feet, and post it inside.Source

  4. 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. Dahlonega charges an 8% hotel-motel tax; file it with the City of Dahlonega.Source

House rules for guests

Parking
1 off-street space per bedroom (9 × 20 ft)
Vehicles can’t exceed spaces; trailers and boats count separately.Source
Trash
Up to three 96-gallon cans; no dumpsters
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.