LicensedRental

Meriwether County, Georgia

Manchester, GA vacation rental requirements

Since January 2025, Manchester requires a yearly short-term rental certificate ($50), a short-term rental business license, and an occupational tax certificate. Your agent must reach the rental within two hours of a city call, and operating without a certificate carries a $1,000 fine.

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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City certificate
$50 a year
Plus a short-term rental business license and occupational tax certificate.Source
Agent
On site within 2 hours of a city notice
Listings
Certificate number and rental agreement in every ad
Taxes
8% sales tax + 5% hotel-motel tax + $5/night

Three code violations at a property in 12 months revoke the certificate for 12 months. Fines are $500, $750, then $1,000.

Part of Manchester is in Talbot County; ask the city which rules and tax rates apply there. Zoning is set separately; ask the city whether your district allows the 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.

Meriwether County, Georgia

  1. Then your city or area

    Pick your area.

City of Manchester

  1. Apply for the certificate

    Apply each year under oath with the owner’s details, whether the home is owner-occupied, the parcel number, a 24-hour agent (18 or older; you can be your own), parking, a sworn code-compliance form, a sample rental agreement, proof of ownership, and the main platform you use. A sale requires a new application.Source

  2. Post and advertise correctly

    Post the certificate and occupational tax certificate inside. Show the certificate number and the sample rental agreement in every listing. Tell the city within five business days if the agent changes.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. File Manchester’s 5% hotel-motel tax with the City of Manchester for direct bookings.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.