Rental Compliance 101: How to Stay on the Right Side of the Law

When you’re excited about turning your home into a rental—whether short-term (STR) or long-term (LTR)—it’s tempting to focus only on the fun parts: staging your space, photographing the views, or setting your nightly rate. But before you can host your very first guest, there’s an essential piece of the puzzle: compliance.

Why Compliance Matters

Licenses, taxes, and permits may not sound glamorous, but they protect both you and your investment. A single missed filing could result in:

• Hefty fines (in Rabun County, violations can reach $2,500+)

• Suspension or revocation of your rental license

• Angry neighbors reporting issues like noise or overcrowding

• Damaged reputation on platforms like Airbnb or VRBO

Compliance is about more than paperwork—it’s about keeping your property legal, profitable, and stress-free.

Key Requirements Every Owner Should Know

1. Licensing & Registration

   • Most counties require a business license or STR permit per rental unit.

   • Rabun County, for example, mandates a license for each property, renewed annually.

   • White County has capped STR licenses, which means missing the window can mean waiting years.

2. Taxes & Fees

   • State sales tax (GA: 4%) applies to short-term rentals under 30 nights.

   • Hotel/motel fee ($5 per night) is due on stays of 30 nights or fewer.

   • Local lodging taxes vary by county or city. For instance, Clayton collects additional lodging taxes on top of the state requirements.

3. Permits & Zoning

   • Some counties enforce occupancy limits, parking minimums, or signage rules.

   • Noise and nuisance ordinances may require technology like noise monitors.

   • Long-term rentals often need a separate lease or zoning compliance.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Assuming STR rules are the same across counties (they’re not).

• Forgetting to renew annual licenses or file monthly lodging taxes.

• Ignoring homeowner association (HOA) restrictions.

How Wander Yonder Helps

We manage all filings, renewals, and remittances so you can rest easy knowing you’re always compliant. Instead of chasing forms and deadlines, you focus on hosting happy guests.

👉 Check out our Long term and Short term rental compliance guide and let Wander Yonder take the stress out of licensing and taxes.