| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Status | Permitted with registration |
| Permit / License Required | Yes |
| Tax Rate | Georgia state sales tax 4%; local accommodation/hotel-motel taxes apply; $5/night state hotel-motel fee. Georgia sales tax certificate required. Note: |
| Minimum Stay | Short-term vacation rental defined as lodging for fewer than 30 consecutive days under JIA residential regulations. |
| Permit Fee | JIA Rental License fee: $75/year (recently increased from $30); 3% percentage rent on gross rental revenues paid to the Jekyll Island Authority quarte |
| Penalties | License revocation for non-compliance. JIA may reject permit applications for properties with outstanding violations. Percentage rent non-payment subj |
| Occupancy Limit | Yes — occupancy limits apply per JIA ordinance; specific numeric limits tied to property size and parking capacity. |
Short-term rental operations in Jekyll Island, Georgia are permitted under an active regulatory framework as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: Yes. The associated permit fees are JIA Rental License fee: $75/year (recently increased from $30); 3% percentage rent on gross rental r.
Short-term rental operators in Jekyll Island should be aware of these tax obligations: Georgia state sales tax 4%; local accommodation/hotel-motel taxes apply; $5/night state hotel-motel fee. Georgia sales tax certificate required. Note: Glynn County STR ordinance does NOT apply to Jekyll Island — Jekyll Island is governed exclusively .
Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Jekyll Island include: Occupancy limit: Yes — occupancy limits apply per JIA ordinance; specific numeric limits tied to property size and parking capacity.. Minimum stay: Short-term vacation rental defined as lodging for fewer than 30 consecutive days under JIA residential regulations..
Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Jekyll Island: All land on Jekyll Island is state-owned (O.C.G.A. § 12-3-241) and leased to homeowners by the Jekyll Island Authority. STRs are permitted under leasehold but require JIA rental license. All developme. Density rules: None specified beyond JIA license issuance controls.. Insurance: Yes.
Hosts who fail to comply with Jekyll Island's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. License revocation for non-compliance. JIA may reject permit applications for properties with outstanding violations. Percentage rent non-payment subject to JIA enforcement..
Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Jekyll Island: Hosts must register with Georgia DOR for sales tax. Platforms like Airbnb may remit state taxes; hosts remain responsible for JIA percentage rent and local tax compliance..
Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.
Official Source ↗Yes, Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in Jekyll Island with proper registration and permits. Jekyll Island has a unique governance structure: all land is owned by the State of Georgia and vested in the Jekyll Island-State Park Authority (JIA) per O.C.G.A. § 12-3-241. Private homeowners lease
Yes. Jekyll Island requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes.
Short-term rental hosts in Jekyll Island are subject to the following tax obligations: Georgia state sales tax 4%; local accommodation/hotel-motel taxes apply; $5/night state hotel-motel fee. Georgia sales tax certificate required. Note: Glynn County STR ordinance does NOT apply to Jekyll Island — Jekyll Island is governed exclusively by Jekyll Island Authority (JIA) ordinances..
Hosts who operate without proper permits in Jekyll Island may face enforcement. License revocation for non-compliance. JIA may reject permit applications for properties with outstanding violations. Percentage rent non-payment subject to JIA enforcement..
Jekyll Island is one of the most uniquely regulated STR markets in the US due to state land ownership and JIA governance. Liability insurance minimum $1,000,000 recommended. All rental license applications submitted to JIA Code Compliance Office at 200 Stable Road, Jekyll Island, GA 31527. Georgia Sales Tax Certificate and Hotel-Motel Tax Registration required.
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