LicensedRental

Georgia county rules

Putnam County, GA vacation rental rules and taxes

Putnam County has about 260 listings around Eatonton and Lakes Oconee and Sinclair. Since September 2023 the county caps short-term rental licenses at 350, bans new ones in its R-1R lake residential zone, and charges an 8% hotel-motel tax.

Checked against official sources November 6, 2026
Market
About 260 Airbnb listings
Eatonton 261 (AirROI); most are lake homes outside the city.Source
Sales tax
8%
Hotel-motel tax
8% county; 8% in Eatonton
County rules
License with a 350 cap

What to do

  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.

Towns

Full guide

Eatonton

We found no short-term rental permit or rules in Eatonton’s code. Stays owe 8% sales + 8% city hotel-motel tax + $5/night; Airbnb collects these on its bookings.

Full guide

Unincorporated Putnam County

Putnam County requires a yearly short-term vacation rental license from the County Clerk and caps licenses at 350, with a waitlist. No new rentals are allowed in the R-1R lake residential zone, and guests are capped at 2 per bedroom plus 2, up to 12.

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 Spot something out of date?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.