Athens, Georgia

Short-Term Rental Regulations — Clarke County

Allowed (Permit Required)

STR Status

Permit: RequiredTax: 7%Owner Occupancy RequiredBusiness License Required
✓ Verified against the official ordinance.View source· Last verified 6/7/2026
7%Tax Rate

Permit & Licensing

Permit RequiredYes
Business License RequiredYes
WaitlistNot specified

Owner Requirements

Owner Occupancy RequiredYes
Primary Residence RequiredYes
Insurance RequiredNot specified

Limits & Restrictions

Parking RequiredNot specified

Taxes & Fees

Transient Occupancy Tax / TOT7%

Zoning Restrictions

  • yes; ordinance identifies zoning classifications that allow or prohibit STRs

Official Sources

Data confidence: 93%Last updated: June 7, 2026

Short-term rental rules in Athens, Georgia

Short-term rentals (Airbnb, Vrbo) in Athens, Georgia are allowed with a permit. Operators must obtain a permit. The property must be owner-occupied. A lodging/occupancy tax of 7% applies.

Frequently asked questions

Are short-term rentals allowed in Athens, Georgia?

Short-term rentals (including Airbnb and Vrbo) are allowed with a permit in Athens, Georgia. The property must be owner-occupied.

Do I need a permit to run an Airbnb in Athens?

A short-term rental permit is required, a business license is also required.

What taxes apply to short-term rentals in Athens?

Short-term rentals in Athens are subject to a lodging/occupancy tax of 7%.

Where do these Athens short-term rental rules come from?

These details are verified against Athens's official short-term rental ordinance and updated when the rules change.

Always verify before you buy. Short-term-rental rules change often and may not be fully current here. Confirm directly with Athens, Clarke County, or Georgia authorities — and consult a qualified attorney — before purchasing property or operating an STR. This is not legal advice.