Atlanta cracks down on Airbnb licensing, limiting rentals in the city

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Atlanta is cracking down on the nationwide surge of homes being bought and listed as Airbnb rentals.

The City of Atlanta Short-Term Rental Ordinance was approved on March 15, 2021. It states that a short-term rental license may be obtained by a short-term rental owner or the long-term tenant of a short-term rental for their primary residence and one additional dwelling unit.

The code also puts owners on the hook for any violations committed at their homes.

The city ordinance requires a $150 annual fee to rent out a house and an 8% hotel-motel tax is applied to every rental. If renters break any city rules, owners will be charged $500 per violation.

New regulations for Airbnb licensing in Atlanta

Atlanta city council recently approved legislation giving short-term rental owners more time to get their licenses in order. Owners will not face penalties or administrative actions until June 1, 2022.

How will this be enforced?

– 8% hotel-motel tax
– Permit # must be on listing(s)
– Retroactive for ALL listings
– Must provide proof of property ownership/tenancy for permit
– If you get 3 violations ($500 each), your permit is revoked for a year

— Donovan Reynolds (@donovanreyno1ds) April 23, 2022

“We’re going to regulate that and tax it so it provides a benefit to the city, and also there’s some regulations that make neighbors more comfortable,” explained council member Andre Dickens, who co-authored the ordinance. 

The ordinance is expected to go into effect in September.