| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Status | Restricted — rules apply |
| Permit / License Required | Yes — STVR certificate required before operating, plus a Business Tax Certificate obtained through the Revenue Department. |
| Tax Rate | Total ~15%: 8% local hotel/motel excise tax (increased from 6% effective Sept 1, 2023) + 7% state. |
| Night / Day Cap | Unknown (no explicit annual night cap; STVR defined by stay length of 30 days or less). |
| Minimum Stay | STVR defined as rental of an entire dwelling unit for 30 days or less (rooms within a unit regulated separately as bed-and-breakfast homestay). |
| Permit Fee | STVR permit reported at ~$150/year (Savannah and Chatham County). Zoning Confirmation Letter request fee $50. |
| Penalties | 1st violation $500; 2nd $750 (within 12 months); 3rd $1,000 (within 12 months). |
| Primary Residence Required | Depends — owner-occupied permits available; in the Streetcar district TN-2 parcels require two or more dwelling units, one owner-occupied. Non-owner-o |
| Occupancy Limit | Max 4 adults for units with ≤2 bedrooms; for units with 3+ bedrooms, max 2 adults per bedroom. |
Short-term rentals in Savannah, 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 — STVR certificate required before operating, plus a Business Tax Certificate obtained through the Revenue Department.. The associated permit fees are STVR permit reported at ~$150/year (Savannah and Chatham County). Zoning Confirmation Letter request.
Short-term rental operators in Savannah should be aware of these tax obligations: Total ~15%: 8% local hotel/motel excise tax (increased from 6% effective Sept 1, 2023) + 7% state.. Yes — Georgia state sales tax registration and local hotel/motel excise tax registration; Business Tax Certificate required..
Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Savannah include: Primary residence requirement: Depends — owner-occupied permits available; in the Streetcar district TN-2 parcels require two or more dwelling units, o. Rental day cap: Unknown (no explicit annual night cap; STVR defined by stay length of 30 days or less).. Occupancy limit: Max 4 adults for units with ≤2 bedrooms; for units with 3+ bedrooms, max 2 adults per bedroom.. Minimum stay: STVR defined as rental of an entire dwelling unit for 30 days or less (rooms within a unit regulated separately as bed-a.
Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Savannah: Permitted only within the STVR Overlay District (Downtown, Victorian, and Streetcar/Mid-City local historic districts) plus certain Business/Agriculture zoning classes (B-C, B-N, B-L, A-1). Mixed-use . Density rules: 20% per-ward cap on non-owner-occupied STVRs in most residential areas; once a cap is reached new STVRs allowed only if owner-occupied.. Insurance: Yes — proof of insurance specifically indicating the property is used as an STVR (not just general p.
Hosts who fail to comply with Savannah's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. 1st violation $500; 2nd $750 (within 12 months); 3rd $1,000 (within 12 months)..
Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Savannah: City uses Rentalscape software to scan listings/identify unpermitted properties; exemplar rental agreement and adjacent-owner notification required for new applicants..
Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.
Official Source ↗Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in Savannah but subject to restrictions. Hosts must comply with local permit requirements and zoning rules. Designated rental agent must be available 24/7 and respond within ~2 hours. New applicants must notify adjacent property owners. Condos must show declaration permits/does-not-prohibit STRs. Certificat
Yes. Savannah requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes — STVR certificate required before operating, plus a Business Tax Certificate obtained through the Revenue Department..
Short-term rental hosts in Savannah are subject to the following tax obligations: Total ~15%: 8% local hotel/motel excise tax (increased from 6% effective Sept 1, 2023) + 7% state..
Hosts who operate without proper permits in Savannah may face enforcement. 1st violation $500; 2nd $750 (within 12 months); 3rd $1,000 (within 12 months)..
Among Georgia's most comprehensive STR regimes; per-ward cap creates scarcity. Mayor has signaled possible future penalty increases.
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