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Is Airbnb legal in Tybee Island, Georgia?

New STR certificates banned in residential zones since 2022. Tybee Island stopped issuing new short-term rental certificates for properties in R-1, R-1B, and R-2 zoning districts in October 2022, which covers most of the island's residential land. Existing certificates can renew but do not transfer automatically to a buyer. The 2022 ban is being challenged in court by STR owners, so the legal picture is still moving.

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

Not allowed

New STR certificates banned in residential zones since 2022

Tybee Island stopped issuing new short-term rental certificates for properties in R-1, R-1B, and R-2 zoning districts in October 2022, which covers most of the island's residential land. Existing certificates can renew but do not transfer automatically to a buyer. The 2022 ban is being challenged in court by STR owners, so the legal picture is still moving.

Permit and costs

Permit
Short-Term Vacation Rental Certificate
Issued by
City of Tybee Island
Cost
Not issued for new properties in residential zones
Renewal
N/A

Key limits

Night cap
Effectively banned for new investor homes
Residential ban
No new STR certificates in R-1, R-1B, or R-2 districts since October 2022
Transfer
Existing certificates do not pass automatically with a sale
Lawsuits
Local STR owners have sued the city over the permit restrictions

Taxes

Hotel and motel taxes
Collected by Chatham County, check the current combined rate

Registration checklist

  1. 1
    Check the zoning
    Confirm the property sits outside the R-1, R-1B, and R-2 districts, or accept that no new certificate is available.
  2. 2
    Verify any existing certificate
    If the property holds a certificate, read the renewal conditions carefully before pricing it into the deal.
  3. 3
    Watch the lawsuits
    Court challenges to the 2022 ban are pending, so confirm the current rules with the city before closing.

What could change this verdict

Your HOA
Island condo associations add their own rental rules on top of the city ban.
Monthly model instead
Longer-term furnished rentals are not subject to the STR certificate ban.

Sources

Realtor.com on Tybee Island STR fight · BNBCalc Chatham County STR guide 2026

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.