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Chatham County (Unincorporated)

Georgia · United States
Restricted
Last updated: 2026-07-24  ·  Last verified: 2026-07-24  ·  Region: US

At a Glance — Chatham County (Unincorporated) Airbnb & STR Rules

RuleDetails
Regulatory StatusRestricted — rules apply
Permit / License RequiredYes — existing ordinance requires STR license; no new applications accepted until November 7, 2026
PenaltiesNot specified for moratorium violations; existing ordinance penalties apply to current permit holders
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Chatham County (Unincorporated) Airbnb & Vacation Rental Regulation Overview

Chatham County (Unincorporated) Short-Term Rental Regulations Overview

Short-term rentals in Chatham County (Unincorporated), Georgia are allowed but subject to significant restrictions under local regulations as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: Yes — existing ordinance requires STR license; no new applications accepted until November 7, 2026.

Penalties for Non-Compliance in Chatham County (Unincorporated)

Hosts who fail to comply with Chatham County (Unincorporated)'s short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Not specified for moratorium violations; existing ordinance penalties apply to current permit holders.

Full Regulatory Details

Regulatory Status
Restricted
License / Registration
Yes — existing ordinance requires STR license; no new applications accepted until November 7, 2026
Compliance Notes
Chatham County has imposed a 120-day moratorium on accepting new STR permit applications, running through November 7, 2026, while officials rewrite the 2021 STR ordinance. Existing permit holders and applications already in process remain valid provided they meet current licensing requirements. During the moratorium, county staff will gather public input and evaluate proposed changes to density limits, occupancy standards, and septic capacity rules for unincorporated areas. New operators must wait until after November 7, 2026 to apply.
Effective Date
2026-07-10 (moratorium); moratorium expires 2026-11-07
Key Notes
• New STR applications halted through November 7, 2026 — no new permits issued during moratorium. • Existing permits remain valid if compliance is maintained. • County will use the 120-day pause to rewrite the 2021 STR ordinance, potentially adding density, occupancy, and septic-capacity limits. • Public input will be solicited before a new ordinance is presented.
Penalties
Not specified for moratorium violations; existing ordinance penalties apply to current permit holders
Additional Context
The moratorium was approved at the Chatham County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting on July 10, 2026. Coverage confirmed by WSAV News 3 and STRisker Daily Regulatory Notes July 13, 2026. Chatham County includes Savannah-area beach communities such as Tybee Island (which has its own city rules). Unincorporated areas around Savannah are the primary target of the new moratorium.
📋 Apply / Register with the Official Authority

Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Airbnb legal in Chatham County (Unincorporated)?

Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in Chatham County (Unincorporated) but subject to restrictions. Hosts must comply with local permit requirements and zoning rules. Chatham County has imposed a 120-day moratorium on accepting new STR permit applications, running through November 7, 2026, while officials rewrite the 2021 STR ordinance. Existing permit holders and

Do you need a permit for Airbnb in Chatham County (Unincorporated)?

Yes. Chatham County (Unincorporated) requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes — existing ordinance requires STR license; no new applications accepted until November 7, 2026.

What are the penalties for illegal Airbnb hosting in Chatham County (Unincorporated)?

Hosts who operate without proper permits in Chatham County (Unincorporated) may face enforcement. Not specified for moratorium violations; existing ordinance penalties apply to current permit holders.

What are the key STR compliance requirements in Chatham County (Unincorporated)?

• New STR applications halted through November 7, 2026 — no new permits issued during moratorium. • Existing permits remain valid if compliance is maintained. • County will use the 120-day pause to rewrite the 2021 STR ordinance, potentially adding density, occupancy, and septic-capacity limits. • Public input will be solicited before a new ordinance is presented.

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