LicensedRental

Newton County, Georgia

Covington, GA vacation rental requirements

Covington requires a yearly short-term vacation rental certificate ($150 to apply, $100 to renew) and allows rentals only in certain residential and mixed-use zones. Every booking must be at least two nights, and the city adds 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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Certificate
$150 application, $100 renewal
Renewal notices go out in mid-October; penalties after January 31.Source
Zoning
NR-1, NR-2, NR-3, CR, TCR, TCM, NM, CM
In NR-1 to NR-3, lodging only: no events or other businesses.Source
Minimum stay
2 nights
Priced at no less than twice one standard night.Source
Maximum guests
2 per bedroom + 2
Children under 2 not counted.Source
Taxes
7% sales + 8% city hotel-motel + $5/night

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.

Newton County, Georgia

  1. Then your city or area

    Permits, zoning, and the hotel-motel tax are set by each city, and by the county outside city limits. Pick your area.

City of Covington

  1. Apply to Planning & Development

    Bring the application, an occupancy permit, your federal tax ID, your Georgia sales tax number, photo ID, a sworn code compliance form, proof of ownership, proof of insurance covering short-term rental use, and a sample rental agreement. Condo owners need a declaration that allows rentals under 30 days.Source

    Covington STVR procedures →

  2. Name an agent who can come within 2 hours

    The agent (18 or older, or you) must be on site within two hours of a city call. Report a new agent within five business days.Source

  3. Put the certificate number in every ad

    Ads and listings must show the certificate number and the rental agreement. Post the certificate inside with the agent’s contact, maximum guests, and vehicle limit.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. Covington’s 8% hotel-motel tax applies inside city limits; file it with the city for direct bookings.Source

Fees

ApplicationNon-refundable.$150
Annual renewal$100
ViolationsThree in 12 months revoke the certificate for 12 months.$500, $750, then $1,000

Source

House rules for guests

Vehicles 11 p.m. to 9 a.m.
1 per bedroom, at least 2 allowed
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.