Macon, Georgia Short Term Rental Regulations
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Reviewed by Derick Hargrave
Last updated August 23, 2023
Macon 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
Macon-Bibb County regulates short-term rentals. Short-term rentals are defined as “means an accommodation for transient guests where, in exchange for compensation of any type or amount, a residential dwelling unit is provided for lodging for a period of time not to exceed 30 consecutive days. Such use may or may not include an on-site manager. For the purposes of this definition, a residential dwelling shall include all housing types and shall exclude group personal care homes or other lodging uses which are provided incidental to other services, such as health care. This definition shall also exclude any premises operating pursuant to a valid Tourist Accommodation Permit from the Georgia Department of Public Health.” For more information, see Macon-Bibb County Division 14.5 - Short-Term Vacation Rentals.Business License Requirements
Applicants for a short-term vacation rental permit shall submit, on an annual basis, an application for a short-term vacation rental permit to the Macon-Bibb County Department of Business Development Services. More information for Short Term Vacation Rental (“STVR”) Permit Application here.Building and Housing Standards
The Macon-Bibb County 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 Macon-Bibb County Buildings and Buildings Regulation and contact the Code Enforcement Department for more information.Tourist and Local Taxes
Under state and local law, STVR owners may owe various taxes and fees, including sales and use tax, hotel-motel tax, and other taxes or surcharges. The current sales and use tax rate in Macon-Bibb County is seven percent (7%), and sales and use tax returns and payments should be made to the Georgia Department of Revenue. If the law also requires you to collect the state hotel motel fee, that return is also filed through the Georgia Department of Revenue. In addition, the local hotel and motel excise tax is also seven percent (7%). Returns and payments relating to the hotel and motel excise tax should be filed with the Bibb County Tax Commissioner on a monthly basis, under the procedures described in Secs. 26-81, et seq., of the Macon-Bibb County Code of Ordinances.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 Macon-Bibb County for more information.Is something not quite right? Registered users can suggest changes to this guide.
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Short Term City Rating7.5
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Competition
8.0 -
Real Estate Cost
9.4 -
STR Regulations
8.0 -
Seasonality
9.9 -
Rental Rates
2.2
Macon, 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
- 157,346
- STR License Required
- Yes
- Tourist Season
- June to August
- County
- Bibb
- Airports
- Middle Georgia Regional Airport (MCN)
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Want to learn more about Macon?
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 Macon rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Macon rental market.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Macon.
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 Macon guests.
Interested in other Georgia cities?
Check out the Georgia short term rental regulations directory
What makes Macon a great place to invest?
Attractions in Macon
The city is home to the Georgia State Fairgrounds, which hosts the annual Georgia State Fair. There is also the Macon Coliseum, where concerts and other events are held throughout the year. For those who enjoy the outdoors, Ocmulgee National Monument is a must-see. The park offers hiking trails, a visitor center, and an opportunity to learn about the history of the area. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of popular tourist spots, including the Hay House, the Tubman African American Museum, and downtown Macon.
There are also several great restaurants and cafes in the city, perfect for grabbing a bite to eat. Macon is home to Mercer University, and many young people come to the city to attend school at either the university or Middle Georgia State College. Parks, trails, and green spaces. Macon has several parks within its limits, including Riverside Greenway Park and Fort Hawkins Memorial Park & Historic Site. The city also has green spaces, including Middle Georgia State College Historic Gardens and Mercer University Botanical Gardens.
Macon Nearby Cities
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80 miles away
- Rating: 6.0
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82 miles away
- Rating: 6.5
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Local Real Estate
How expensive is the real estate in Macon?
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 Macon has increased 6% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $109, which is lower than the national average.
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Median Sale Price
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$194,836
6% YoY
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Median per Square Foot
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$109
9% YoY
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Average Monthly Rent
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$1,246
4% YoY
Local Short-Term Rental News for Macon
The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Macon, Georgia
Common terms for Macon 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 Macon has a description approximately 965 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 528 listings in Macon, 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 Macon, Spacious, Place, Family, Comfortable, Quiet, Beautiful, Perfect, Relax, and Come.
What are the most popular tourist activities in Macon?
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 Macon involve Museums, the City Centre, Outlet Shopping, Water Parks, and Antiquing. 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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Museums
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City Centre
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Outlet Shopping
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Water Parks
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Antiquing
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Cycling
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Swimming
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Hiking
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Health Spa
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Water Tubing
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Hunting
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Horseback Riding
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in Macon, including Macon Coliseum, Robins Air Force Base, Mercer University, Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter, and The Shoppes at River Crossing. 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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Macon Coliseum
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Mercer University
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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The Allman Brothers Band Museum at the Big House
Included on nearly all listings
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Local Landmark
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Middle Georgia State University - Macon Campus - Main Campus
Included on nearly all listings
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Local Landmark
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Harriet Tubman Museum
Included on nearly all listings
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Local Landmark
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Rose Hill Cemetery
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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The Shoppes at River Crossing
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Robins Air Force Base
Included on 47% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Houston Medical Center
Included on 33% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Rigby's Entertainment Complex
Included on 32% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter
Included on 31% of listings
What’s the weather like in Macon, Georgia?
The weather is about the same as the national average, with an average high temperature of around 76°, while the average low is about 55°. The rainfall is much heavier, averaging about 40 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall is scarce, with an average year having no snowfall. The humidity levels in Macon 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
40° Low 60° High
Spring
March through May
54° Low 76° High
Summer
June through August
71° Low 90° High
Fall
September through November
55° Low 76° High
Cities Near Macon
Macon, Georgia, is located in Bibb County. Some cities that are located nearby include:
