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Is Airbnb legal in Atlanta, Georgia?

Currently banned for absentee investors; restriction lifts January 1, 2027. Atlanta's Short-Term Rental License costs $150 a year, but under Ordinance 20-O-1656 the host must live on the property or in an adjacent unit. Buying a separate investment property to run as a whole-home STR without living there is currently not allowed. In September 2026 the City Council voted 9-5 to remove the primary-residence-plus-one restriction, effective January 1, 2027.

Showing the researched rules for Atlanta, GA below. Type your Atlanta address to jump to the verdict.

Not allowed

Currently banned for absentee investors; restriction lifts January 1, 2027

Atlanta's Short-Term Rental License costs $150 a year, but under Ordinance 20-O-1656 the host must live on the property or in an adjacent unit. Buying a separate investment property to run as a whole-home STR without living there is currently not allowed. In September 2026 the City Council voted 9-5 to remove the primary-residence-plus-one restriction, effective January 1, 2027.

Permit and costs

Permit
Short-Term Rental License
Issued by
City of Atlanta Department of City Planning
Cost
$150 / year
Renewal
Annual; runs 12 months from issue

Key limits

Owner-occupancy now
The host must live on-site or in an adjacent unit until the January 1, 2027 amendment takes effect.
Home Park ban
No new STR permits are accepted in the Home Park neighborhood near Georgia Tech since August 2025.
Occupancy
Short-term rentals are capped at two adults per bedroom.
Neighbor notice
Certified-mail notice to neighbors is required before applying.

Taxes

Hotel and STR excise tax
8% city hotel-motel and short-term-rental excise tax on the rental charge
Sales tax and state fee
About 8.9% combined state and local sales tax plus Georgia's flat $5-per-night hotel-motel fee for the first 30 nights

Registration checklist

  1. 1
    Qualify today or wait
    Today you must live on-site or adjacent to qualify; otherwise wait for the January 2027 amendment to take effect.
  2. 2
    Apply to City Planning
    File the license application with a Georgia ID showing the address, liability insurance, and proof of neighbor notice.
  3. 3
    Put the number on listings
    The license number must appear on every listing once issued.

What could change this verdict

Your HOA
HOA and condo rules can ban STRs regardless of the city license, so check the governing documents.
Rule changes
A pending bill would cap unhosted stays at 90 nights a year, and the September 2026 amendment removing the occupancy restriction takes effect January 1, 2027.

Sources

Atlanta STR guide (2026) · Atlanta STR license rule changes

Rules researched October 2026. They change, so verify with the city before you buy.

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Verify before you buy. Rules change often and vary by zoning, HOA, and building type. This is a research starting point, not legal advice. Always confirm with the city's planning or business-license office before signing anything.