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Short-term rental rules

Running an Airbnb in Savannah, Georgia

Savannah requires a Short-Term Vacation Rental certificate obtained through the Rentalscape online portal, with the certificate number displayed in listings and a 20 percent per-ward cap on non-owner-occupied rentals in the historic districts. Guests pay the city hotel/motel excise tax on top of state and local sales tax.

9 of 13 fields confirmedLast checked 18 Jul 2026 Lodging tax in Savannah

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 Vacation Rental (STVR) certificate and a Business Tax Certificate are required.

Source
Primary residence required
NoReported

Non-owner-occupied STVRs are permitted alongside owner-occupied bed-and-breakfast homestays, subject to caps.

Source
Annual night cap
Verify with jurisdictionUnverified
Zoning restricted
Yes, limited to certain zonesReported

A 20 percent per-ward cap limits non-owner-occupied STVRs in the Downtown and Victorian Historic Districts, with a waitlist.

Source
Permit number shown on listing
RequiredReported

The certificate number must be included in any listing or advertisement.

Source
Register or apply
https://www.savannahga.gov/2332/STVR-Application-ProcessReported
Source
Enforcement notes
Since 26 July 2024 all STVR applications and renewals are processed exclusively through the Rentalscape online portal; the historic-district ward cap operates a first-come waitlist.Reported
Source

Check eligibility

Can you run each type of STR in Savannah?

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 Savannah 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://www.savannahga.gov/2332/STVR-Application-Process
  • Your permit or registration number must appear on the listing itself.
  • Short-term rentals are restricted to certain zones. Confirm your property's zoning allows it.
  • Since 26 July 2024 all STVR applications and renewals are processed exclusively through the Rentalscape online portal; the historic-district ward cap operates a first-come waitlist.

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

A whole second home / investment property

Allowed with a permit

Short-term rentals are allowed in Savannah 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://www.savannahga.gov/2332/STVR-Application-Process
  • Your permit or registration number must appear on the listing itself.
  • Short-term rentals are restricted to certain zones. Confirm your property's zoning allows it.
  • Since 26 July 2024 all STVR applications and renewals are processed exclusively through the Rentalscape online portal; the historic-district ward cap operates a first-come waitlist.

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 Savannah 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://www.savannahga.gov/2332/STVR-Application-Process
  • Your permit or registration number must appear on the listing itself.
  • Short-term rentals are restricted to certain zones. Confirm your property's zoning allows it.
  • Since 26 July 2024 all STVR applications and renewals are processed exclusively through the Rentalscape online portal; the historic-district ward cap operates a first-come waitlist.

Confidence: high. An accessory dwelling on your property.

Unhosted, whole-unit, no owner on site

Allowed with a permit

Short-term rentals are allowed in Savannah 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://www.savannahga.gov/2332/STVR-Application-Process
  • Your permit or registration number must appear on the listing itself.
  • Short-term rentals are restricted to certain zones. Confirm your property's zoning allows it.
  • Since 26 July 2024 all STVR applications and renewals are processed exclusively through the Rentalscape online portal; the historic-district ward cap operates a first-come waitlist.

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 Savannah

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

Yes. Savannah requires a short-term rental licence or registration before you list. A Short-Term Vacation Rental (STVR) certificate and a Business Tax Certificate are required.

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

No. Savannah does not require the property to be your primary residence for all rental types. Non-owner-occupied STVRs are permitted alongside owner-occupied bed-and-breakfast homestays, subject to caps.

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

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

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

Yes. Savannah requires a valid permit or registration number to appear on the listing itself. The certificate number must be included in any listing or advertisement.

What lodging tax will my guest pay in Savannah?

The combined lodging tax for Savannah 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 Savannah

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