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Short-term rental rules

Running an Airbnb in Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta requires a short-term rental licence that covers a host's primary residence plus one additional dwelling unit. Guests pay the city hotel/motel tax of 8 percent on top of state and local sales tax and a per-night state hotel fee.

6 of 13 fields confirmedLast checked 18 Jul 2026 Lodging tax in Atlanta

The rules

Every field, with its source

Anything not confirmed on an official source shows as Verify with jurisdiction rather than a guess.

Licence or permit required
YesReported

A short-term rental licence (reported 150 USD per year) is required.

Source
Primary residence required
YesReported

The licence covers the host's primary residence plus one additional dwelling unit.

Source
Annual night cap
Verify with jurisdictionUnverified
Zoning restricted
Verify with jurisdictionUnverified
Permit number shown on listing
Verify with jurisdictionUnverified
Register or apply
https://library.municode.com/ga/atlanta/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIIICOORANDECO_PT20SHTERE_S20-1003DEGEPRReported
Source
Enforcement notes
The licence permits a primary residence plus one additional unit, so a host may legally operate one non-owner-occupied STR alongside a primary residence.Reported
Source

Check eligibility

Can you run each type of STR in Atlanta?

A deterministic read of the cited rules for each common use type. When a governing rule is unknown, the verdict says so rather than guessing.

My primary residence (home-share)

Allowed with a permit

Short-term rentals are allowed in Atlanta once you obtain the required licence and follow the rules below.

  • A short-term rental licence or registration is required before you list.
  • Register or apply here: https://library.municode.com/ga/atlanta/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIIICOORANDECO_PT20SHTERE_S20-1003DEGEPR
  • This city ties short-term rentals to a primary residence. Non-owner-occupied whole-home rentals are limited or barred.
  • The licence permits a primary residence plus one additional unit, so a host may legally operate one non-owner-occupied STR alongside a primary residence.

Confidence: high. You live there and rent it while away or rent a room.

A whole second home / investment property

Restricted

In Atlanta, an STR that is not your primary residence is restricted. A home-share of your own residence is the usual path.

  • A short-term rental licence or registration is required before you list.
  • Register or apply here: https://library.municode.com/ga/atlanta/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIIICOORANDECO_PT20SHTERE_S20-1003DEGEPR
  • This city ties short-term rentals to a primary residence. Non-owner-occupied whole-home rentals are limited or barred.
  • The licence permits a primary residence plus one additional unit, so a host may legally operate one non-owner-occupied STR alongside a primary residence.

Confidence: high. A dedicated STR that is not your primary residence.

An ADU, basement or garage unit

Allowed with a permit

Short-term rentals are allowed in Atlanta once you obtain the required licence and follow the rules below.

  • A short-term rental licence or registration is required before you list.
  • Register or apply here: https://library.municode.com/ga/atlanta/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIIICOORANDECO_PT20SHTERE_S20-1003DEGEPR
  • This city ties short-term rentals to a primary residence. Non-owner-occupied whole-home rentals are limited or barred.
  • The licence permits a primary residence plus one additional unit, so a host may legally operate one non-owner-occupied STR alongside a primary residence.

Confidence: high. An accessory dwelling on your property.

Unhosted, whole-unit, no owner on site

Restricted

In Atlanta, an STR that is not your primary residence is restricted. A home-share of your own residence is the usual path.

  • A short-term rental licence or registration is required before you list.
  • Register or apply here: https://library.municode.com/ga/atlanta/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIIICOORANDECO_PT20SHTERE_S20-1003DEGEPR
  • This city ties short-term rentals to a primary residence. Non-owner-occupied whole-home rentals are limited or barred.
  • The licence permits a primary residence plus one additional unit, so a host may legally operate one non-owner-occupied STR alongside a primary residence.

Confidence: high. The strictest category in most cities.

LodgeDeck reports publicly available short-term rental rules and lodging tax rates and cites the source of each field. It is not legal or tax advice and it does not replace your own review. Ordinances and tax rates change often and automated collection can lag, so every field shows the source it came from and a confidence flag, and unconfirmed values are marked Unverified. Confirm with the jurisdiction before you rely on a rule or rate.

FAQ

Common questions about Atlanta

Do I need a licence to run an Airbnb in Atlanta?

Yes. Atlanta requires a short-term rental licence or registration before you list. A short-term rental licence (reported 150 USD per year) is required.

Does a short-term rental have to be my primary residence in Atlanta?

Yes. Atlanta ties short-term rentals to a primary residence, so non-owner-occupied whole-home rentals are limited or barred. The licence covers the host's primary residence plus one additional dwelling unit.

Is there a night cap on short-term rentals in Atlanta?

No annual night cap is confirmed for Atlanta in our data. Verify with the jurisdiction.

Do I have to show my permit number on the listing in Atlanta?

Not confirmed on an official source for Atlanta. Verify with the jurisdiction before you rely on it.

What lodging tax will my guest pay in Atlanta?

The combined lodging tax for Atlanta is not confirmed as a single figure in our data. See the lodging-tax page for the components we do have.

See the lodging tax a guest pays in Atlanta

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