Atlanta, Georgia Short Term Rental Regulations
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Reviewed by Derick Hargrave
Last updated August 23, 2023
Atlanta Short-Term Rental Regulations
Information is maintained by the community to provide helpful insights and links to local regulations, HostScouts does not provide legal or investment advice.
City Code of Ordinances
The "City of Atlanta Short-Term Rental Ordinance" was passed in March 2021. It states that a short-term rental owner, or a long-term tenant of a short-term rental, may obtain a short-term rental license for their primary residence plus one additional dwelling unit without any other requirements, fees, permits, licenses, zoning, or related restrictions. The ordinance mandates that property owners apply for an STR license using a City-developed online portal. Please see the Short-Term Rental overview here and STRL Application How to Guide.Business License Requirements
The city of Atlanta will require short-term rental businesses to obtain permits to operate beginning March 1, 2022. The application fee for a license is $150. Beginning September 6, 2022, those who operate a short-term rental will be required to register with the city. The property owner should register through the Citizen Gateway of the City of Atlanta. You can read the Atlanta STR Process and STRL Required Document Summary for more information.Building and Housing Standards
The city of Atlanta has rules and regulations that specify minimum building, design, maintenance standards, habitability, health, and safety requirements. Some rules and regulations that apply to residential and non-residential properties may apply to your listing. Please consult the Atlanta Construction Codes and contact the City Planning for more information.Tourist and Local Taxes
Short-term rentals are subject to applicable state and local taxes and are responsible for payment thereof as established by state law and the city code. Short-term rentals shall be subject to the hotel-motel tax of 8% of the charge furnishing short-term rentals as permitted under OCGA Section 48-13-51(a)(5) and OCGA Section 48-13-51(b)(7)(a).Other Rules
It is also essential to understand and abide by other contracts or rules that bind you, such as leases, condo boards, co-op rules, HOA rules, or rules established by tenant organizations. Please read your lease agreement and check with your landlord if applicable. Visit the Atlanta website for more information.Is something not quite right? Registered users can suggest changes to this guide.
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Short Term City Rating5.5
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Competition
2.1 -
Real Estate Cost
6.6 -
STR Regulations
4.0 -
Seasonality
7.5 -
Rental Rates
7.1
Atlanta, Georgia Quick Stats
Short-term rentals have gained a lot of traction in the last few years. The trends and statistics of this sector are constantly changing, and having access to accurate data is essential for making sound investment decisions.
- Population
- 498,715
- STR License Required
- Yes
- Tourist Season
- May to September
- County
- Fulton
- Airports
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
- Fulton County Airport - Brown Field (FTY)
Want to learn more about Atlanta?
Hostscouts has you covered. Our guides for this city cover topics that can help you research cities across the US quickly and easily.
Check out our Atlanta rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Atlanta rental market.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Atlanta.
The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.
Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.
What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits Atlanta guests.
Interested in other Georgia cities?
Check out the Georgia short term rental regulations directory
What makes Atlanta a great place to invest?
Location
Atlanta is Georgia's capital city and is located in the northwest portion of the state. It is situated among the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and has a humid subtropical climate. The city covers an area of 342 square miles and has a population of over half a million people. Atlanta is known for its rich history and culture, as well as its role in the Civil Rights Movement. The city is also home to a number of major corporations and is a central hub for transportation.
Attractions
Many attractions in Atlanta are worth visiting. If you're a fan of the arts, you'll want to check out the High Museum of Art. For history buffs, the Atlanta History Center is a must-see. And if you're looking for a fun day out with the family, the Georgia Aquarium is always a good choice. Atlanta Braves. Atlanta is home to the Atlanta Braves, one of the best teams in Major League Baseball.
- The Atlanta Falcons NFL team is the city's most popular sports team, and they have a massive stadium in downtown Atlanta. There is no shortage of tailgating, fun parties, and great games to see at this stadium.
- Atlanta Hawks. Home to one of the best NBA teams, the Atlanta Hawks, Philips Arena is always a fun place to see a game. Atlanta United FC. The city of Atlanta is also home to one of the most exciting new teams in Major League Soccer. With their world-class soccer stadium and some of the top players around, this team will be a huge hit!
- Zoo Atlanta. One of the oldest zoos in the United States, Zoo Atlanta is a great place to go for a day of fun! There are over 1,000 animals on display here, so it's quite a doable day trip from downtown.
- Georgia Aquarium - The largest aquarium in the Western Hemisphere, the Georgia Aquarium is home to more than 100,000 animals, including beluga whales, whale sharks, and dolphins. Visitors can watch live animal shows, participate in interactive exhibits, and even swim with whale sharks.
- World of Coca-Cola - This museum and interactive experience offers visitors a chance to learn about the history of Coca-Cola, from its origins in Atlanta to its global success. Visitors can taste more than 100 different Coke products from around the world and explore exhibits that showcase the brand's impact on popular culture.
- Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park - This historic site includes the childhood home of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., the church where he preached, and his tomb. Visitors can take guided tours to learn about King's life and legacy, and explore exhibits that showcase the struggle for civil rights.
Atlanta Nearby Cities
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5 miles away
- Rating: 6.0
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7 miles away
- Rating: 6.4
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Local Real Estate
How expensive is the real estate in Atlanta?
The cost of real estate can vary widely depending on the location, size, and features of the property, as well as market conditions. The median home value in Atlanta has increased 1% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $272, which is higher than the national average.
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Median Sale Price
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$437,260
1% YoY
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Median per Square Foot
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$272
0% YoY
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Average Monthly Rent
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$1,967
1% YoY
Local Short-Term Rental News for Atlanta
The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Atlanta, Georgia
Common terms for Atlanta short term rental listings.
When potential guests are scrolling through listings on Airbnb, they’re looking for certain essential information to help them decide if your property is the right fit for their needs. As a host, ensuring that your listing includes all the relevant information that guests will be looking for is vital.
Some of the must-have elements of a property description include:
- Location: Guests will want to know where your property is located in relation to popular attractions, public transportation, and other points of interest.
- Amenities: What amenities does your property offer? Be sure to list all features guests can access, such as a pool, hot tub, parking, etc.
- Informative: The average listing in Atlanta has a description approximately 1,288 words long. Make sure yours is long enough to describe your property but doesn't require your potential guest to read a novel.
After reviewing more than 12,616 listings in Atlanta, we've consolidated the most common terms on the word cloud. The larger text represents a term that is used more often. The top ten mentioned terms are Atlanta, Place, Perfect, Spacious, Mercedes Benz, Benz Stadium, Walking, Downtown Atlanta, City, and Beautiful.
What are the most popular tourist activities in Atlanta?
Whether renting a house, an apartment, or a room, you should include popular tourist activities in your posting. The most common choices mentioned on property listings in Atlanta involve going to the City Centre, Museums, the Zoo, the Health Spa, and Theme Parks. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.
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City Centre
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Museums
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Zoo
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Health Spa
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Theme Parks
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Cycling
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Water Parks
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Adventure Activities
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Outlet Shopping
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Swimming
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Antiquing
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Hiking
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in Atlanta, including World of Coca-Cola, Georgia Institute of Technology, State Farm Arena, Emory University, and Centennial Olympic Park. Below we've included the most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings. Many hosts like to show off lesser-known regional landmarks visitors might not have heard of.
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Regional Landmark
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Lenox Square
Included on 51% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Atlanta Botanical Garden
Included on 50% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Piedmont Park
Included on 50% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Georgia Institute of Technology
Included on 49% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Emory University
Included on 49% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Fox Theatre
Included on 49% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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World of Coca-Cola
Included on 48% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Centennial Olympic Park
Included on 48% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Georgia World Congress Center
Included on 48% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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State Farm Arena
Included on 48% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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CNN Center
Included on 48% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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AmericasMart
Included on 48% of listings
What’s the weather like in Atlanta, Georgia?
The weather is about the same as the national average, with an average high temperature of around 72°, while the average low is about 53°. The rainfall is much heavier, averaging about 43 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall is relatively rare, averaging less than 3 inches per year. The humidity levels in Atlanta are generally muggier than the national average, and the city has a mix of clouds and sunshine for most of the year.
Winter
December through February
37° Low 55° High
Spring
March through May
52° Low 73° High
Summer
June through August
70° Low 87° High
Fall
September through November
54° Low 72° High
Cities Near Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia, is located in Fulton County. Some cities that are located nearby include:
