LicensedRental

Troup County, Georgia

LaGrange, GA vacation rental requirements

LaGrange allows short-term rentals by right only in its mixed-use districts and by special use permit in single-family zones, with a 1,000-foot spacing rule. Since 2026 the city issues no more than five new permits a year, and each rental needs a $75 inspection, a $250 yearly permit, and $500,000 in liability insurance.

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
Mixed-use by right; residential by special use
Permitted in CR-MX, AC-MX, DT-MX. Special use permit (mayor and council) in ES-R, SU-R, TN-R.Source
Cap
5 new permits a year
Since 2026. No 2025 applications were accepted after January 10, 2025.Source
Permit
$250, renewed yearly
Plus a $75 inspection; permits expire December 31.Source
Maximum guests
2 per bedroom + 5 children 12 and under
Taxes
7% sales tax + 8% hotel-motel tax + $5/night

Fines are up to $250, $500, then $1,000 with an 18-month revocation for violations in a 12-month period. Permits don’t transfer with a sale.

Post a notice inside the front door with the owner and local contact, nearest hospital, occupancy and vehicle limits, trash day, and quiet hours.

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.

Troup County, Georgia

  1. Then your city or area

    Each city and the county set their own rules. Pick your area.

City of LaGrange

  1. Check zoning and spacing

    Rentals must be at least 1,000 feet from another short-term rental (property line to property line), except in the downtown DT-MX district. In ES-R, SU-R, and TN-R you need a special use permit from the mayor and council.Source

  2. Pass the inspection

    Ask the city building official for an inspection ($75, nonrefundable) before you apply. It repeats every five years.Source

  3. Apply for the permit

    Apply to Community Development with ownership details, a local contact (25 or older), bedrooms and maximum occupancy, maximum vehicles (one per bedroom), proof of $500,000 liability insurance, and a sworn form confirming the posted notice and a letter to owners within 500 feet. The fee is $250, then $250 a year; renew by January 1 (late fees after April 1).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. File LaGrange’s 8% hotel-motel tax with the City of LaGrange for direct bookings.Source

Inspection checklist

What the inspector looks for, from City of LaGrange’s published checklist.

  • Two means of egress from every bedroom, including an operable 5.7 sq ft window or exterior door
  • Interconnected smoke detectors in every bedroom, adjoining hallway, and common area
  • Carbon monoxide detector outside each bedroom if the home has natural gas
  • Charged fire extinguisher on each floor
  • One three-quarter bathroom for every two bedrooms
  • Exterior cameras at each entry, with 30 days of footage
  • House number visible from the street

House rules for guests

Quiet hours
10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Source
Parking
1 vehicle per bedroom, garage or paved only
Source
Renter
A responsible renter 25 or older
Source
Local contact
Responds within 1 hour, 24/7
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.