Short-term rentals are defined as an accommodation for transient guests where, in exchange for compensation of any type or amount, a residential dwelling unit is rented or otherwise provided for lodging for any period of time less than 31 consecutive days. Such accommodations are usually, but not exclusively, advertised through websites such as Airbnb.com, Booking.com, Hometogo.com, and vrbo.com.

As part of the process of developing the ordinance, the Planning Department developed an initial list of short-term rental properties identified as having operated during the period of September 19, 2022 to September 19, 2023. This Legal Non-Conforming STR List identifies STR properties that do not currently conform to the ordinance compliance requirements but will have a specific time period in which to come into compliance. 

This initial Legal Non-Conforming STR List will be posted for a six-month public review beginning on July 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024. Property owners or residents whose properties operated as an STR during the September 19, 2022 to September 19, 2023 period and are not listed can have their properties considered for inclusion on the list. Requirements for documentation are noted on www.accgov.com/str and can be submitted to the ACCGov Planning Department for review and verification through an online form or in person. 

Once the six-month public review period has ended and the list is deemed complete by Planning Department staff, the properties included on the final list will be allowed to operate as legal non-conforming STRs for a period of up to 24 months as per the ordinance. STRs that are not included on the list would need to be in compliance with the STR ordinances by the time the list is finalized. 

A change in ownership of an STR will result in the loss of legal non-conforming status and require that the STR come into compliance with the STR ordinances in order to continue use as a short-term rental. 

Any properties that come into compliance with the ordinances will be removed from the final list.

Contact the Planning Department for more information about the process.

The ordinance defines two primary types of STRs – Home Occupation STRs and Commercial STRs. 

The primary distinctions between Home Occupation STRs and Commercial STRs involve two criteria. Home Occupation STRs require that the applicant is the owner-occupant of the property or a long-term tenant of the property owner and only allowed one structure on the subject parcel may be permitted for use as an STR. 

Commercial STRs are not subject to these limitations. 

Home Occupation permits for STRs are reviewed and issued by Planning Department staff, while applications for Commercial STRs are reviewed through the construction plans review process in order to coordinate the review and permitting by the appropriate ACCGov departments. Contact the Planning Department for questions about either process or visit www.accgov.com/str for forms and more information.