White County, Georgia
Unincorporated White County, GA vacation rental requirements
White County caps short-term rental host licenses at 650 for its unincorporated areas and won’t license rentals in platted subdivisions unless the covenants specifically allow them. You need an occupational tax certificate, a host license, and the county’s 8% hotel-motel tax.
Checked against official sources November 6, 2026Download checklist (PDF)Free. A printable version of this guide to tick off, with the official sources.
A buyer of a licensed rental has 60 days to apply and keeps the seller’s grandfathered status and place under the cap.
Late renewals pay 10% a month; renting without a license costs three times the fee.
In late 2023 the county identified 609 subdivisions where rentals would need covenant approval.
Your licensing checklist
In order: the state, the county, then the town.
State of Georgia
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
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
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.
White County, Georgia
Then your city or area
Permits, zoning, and the hotel-motel tax depend on whether you’re inside a city. Pick your area.
White County (unincorporated areas)
Get the eligibility form
Start with the county planning office’s short-term rental eligibility form. In a platted subdivision, you must swear the covenants specifically allow short-term rentals.Source
Apply to the Business Tax Office
Get an occupational tax certificate and apply for the host license with the 911 address, proof of commercial or short-term rental insurance, house rules, and an attestation (by you or an inspector) that the home meets the building, fire, and NFPA 101 codes.Source
Post the house information
Post the responsible party, street address, a floor plan with fire exits and escape routes, how to reach the planning department, maximum occupancy, “dial 911,” and the county’s courtesy notice. Display the host license and hotel-motel tax certificate.Source
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 White County’s 8% hotel-motel tax with the county Business Tax Office; management companies list each property separately.Source
House rules for guests
Sources
- Occupancy tax collection and remittance by Airbnb in Georgia · Airbnb
- Rule 560-13-2-.01 amendment notice (2025) · Georgia Department of Revenue
- Code section · White County (Municode)
- Short-Term Rental Host License · White County Business Tax Office
- Hotel/motel excise tax rates and revenue report · Georgia Department of Community Affairs
- Citizens Pack Commission’s Public Hearing (December 5, 2023) · WRWH
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.