Brunswick, Georgia Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: Short-Term Rental Status in Brunswick, GA

Short-term rentals ARE ALLOWED in Brunswick, Georgia, but they are strictly regulated at the county level. Brunswick operates under Glynn County's comprehensive short-term rental ordinance (Chapter 2-31), which requires property owners to obtain certificates and comply with specific operational guidelines. The county implemented these regulations in 2021 to address noise, parking, trash, and public safety concerns while creating a level playing field between traditional hotels and individual rental properties.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Brunswick?

Brunswick hosts earn a median $29,613/year with $148 ADR and 67% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $39,569+ per year.

See the full Brunswick market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Brunswick

Step-by-Step Process:

Obtain a Short-Term Rental Certificate through Glynn County's MUNIRevs portal
Secure an Occupation Tax Certificate (required for all businesses and individuals renting 6+ properties)
Complete safety inspections as mandated by county regulations
Establish local contact information for property management and guest relations
Set up accommodation tax collection and remittance systems
Ensure compliance with zoning restrictions and occupancy limits

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Primary Licenses and Certificates:

Short-Term Rental Certificate (Mandatory)

Issued by Glynn County under Chapter 2-31 of the Code of Ordinances
Application through Glynn County MUNIRevs portal
Required for any property rented for less than 30 consecutive days

Occupation Tax Certificate (Required for qualifying businesses)

Required for all businesses operating in Glynn County
Mandatory for individuals renting six or more properties
Available through the county's licensing and compliance department

Safety and Compliance Requirements:

Safety Inspection

Properties must pass safety inspection before rental
Regular inspections required under the ordinance
Proof of insurance or bond may be required

Business License

Required for all short-term rental operators in Brunswick
Must be obtained before commencing operations

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

Occupancy and Gathering Restrictions:

Maximum Occupancy Limits

Determined by septic system capacity or municipal sewer connections
Large gatherings prohibited (defined as more than 2x the property's overnight occupancy limit)
Special event exceptions may apply (e.g., wedding-related gatherings)

Weekend Rental Limitations

Standard weekend rentals are prohibited unless associated with special events
Wedding-related weekend gatherings may be permitted under specific conditions

Operational Standards:

Uniform Rules Apply to All Rentals

Noise regulations must be followed at all times
Parking restrictions must be enforced
Trash collection and disposal requirements apply
Public safety measures must be maintained

Complaint Management

24-hour hotline available for reporting violations
County will contact property's local contact to resolve concerns
Regular enforcement and monitoring in place

Tax Obligations:

Accommodation Excise Tax

Must be collected from guests at the applicable rate
Payments processed through MUNIRevs portal
Remittance due monthly (detailed procedures on county website)

State and Local Taxes

Collection and remittance required through designated systems
Airbnb, VRBO, and similar platforms may not automatically handle local tax obligations
Individual operators must ensure proper tax compliance

Zoning Considerations:

Residential Area Restrictions

Short-term rentals not permitted in all residential zones
Zoning restrictions apply and must be verified before operation
Local zoning maps and restrictions should be reviewed during planning phase

Contact Information for Local Authority

Glynn County Short-Term Rental Administration:

Short-Term Rental Hotline (24/7)

Phone: 912-525-5455
Purpose: Report complaints and violations
Function: Documents complaints and contacts property's local contact for resolution

MUNIRevs Customer Support (Tax and Certificate Processing)

Phone: 1-888-751-1911
Email: blt.str.support@govos.com
Services: Registration assistance, tax filing help, payment processing

Glynn County Licensing and Compliance Department

Website: www.glynncounty.org/government/departments/licensing-compliance
Responsible for: Short-term rental certificates, business licenses, inspection coordination

Source Links and Reference Materials

Official Government Sources:

Glynn County STR Information Portal: www.glynncounty.org/2525/Short-Term-Rental-Properties
Application Portal: glynncounty.munirevs.com/
Certificate Renewal Portal: glynncountyga.portal.opengov.com/
Complaint Form: str.govos.com/complaint/?cityid=90
Glynn County Code of Ordinances Chapter 2-31: library.municode.com/ga/glynn_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH2-31SHRMRE
Glynn County Code Chapter 2-14 (Taxation): library.municode.com/ga/glynn_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH2-14TA
Good Neighbor Flyers:
- Standard: content.glynncounty.org/sites/default/files/2025-07/Downloadable-Good-Neighbor-Flyer.pdf
- With Hotline: content.glynncounty.org/sites/default/files/2025-07/Downloadable-Good-Neighbor--Hotline-Flyer.pdf

News and Historical Context:

The Brunswick News - County Enacts STR Ordinance: thebrunswicknews.com/news/local_news/county-enacts-short-term-rental-ordinance/article_2849e622-161e-5288-af18-4fa55c658ea7.html

Third-Party Resources (Use with Caution):

GoSummer Vacation Rental Management Guide: www.gosummer.com/vacation-rental-management/brunswick-georgia
- Note: This is a commercial property management service; verify all regulatory information through official government sources

Important Considerations for STR Investors

Brunswick-specific regulations: Brunswick operates under Glynn County jurisdiction, so all county regulations apply to properties within Brunswick city limits
Active enforcement: The county actively monitors compliance through complaint-based reporting and regular inspections
Legal precedent: The 2021 ordinance implementation demonstrates local government commitment to regulating STR activities
Compliance costs: Budget for certificate fees, potential inspection costs, tax preparation and remittance, and potential insurance/bond requirements
Market considerations: Seasonal demand patterns affect rental viability and pricing strategies
Zoning verification: Always verify zoning compliance before purchasing or operating STR properties in Brunswick

This guide represents current regulations as of 2025. Investors should regularly check Glynn County's official website and consult with local legal counsel for the most current requirements before making investment decisions.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Brunswick

Brunswick is a historic port city in Glynn County on the southeastern coast of Georgia, with a city population of roughly 16,000 residents. The city has a laid-back coastal character, marked by live oaks draped in Spanish moss, an old downtown laid out in oak-shaded squares, and a long maritime heritage tied to shrimping and timber. Brunswick is best known as the mainland gateway to the Golden Isles — Jekyll Island, St. Simons Island, Sea Island, and Little St. Simons Island — and as a convenient stop for travelers moving between Savannah, Georgia, and Jacksonville, Florida. It sits about 80 miles south of Savannah, a drive of roughly an hour and a half, and roughly 75 miles north of Jacksonville.

Jekyll Island is the largest of the nearby barrier islands and just a short drive southeast of Brunswick across the causeway. The island is home to Jekyll Island State Park, whose beaches, maritime forests, and miles of bike paths draw visitors year-round. The historic Jekyll Island Club district, with its Victorian-era clubhouse and cottages, anchors the island's cultural and dining scene, and the Georgia Sea Turtle Center offers a family-friendly look at local wildlife rehabilitation.

A few minutes farther south lies St. Simons Island, connected to Brunswick by the F.J. Torras Causeway. The island is best known for the Fort Frederica National Monument, the archaeological remains of an 18th-century British colonial settlement on the island's north end, and for the iconic St. Simons Lighthouse, a working 1872 brick tower that has guided ships through the Marshes of Glynn for more than a century. Pier Village, at the island's southern end, clusters shops, restaurants, and a public fishing pier along the waterfront.

Back on the mainland, downtown Brunswick's Old Town Historic District rewards an afternoon of wandering, with Federal and Victorian-era storefronts around Newcastle, Halifax, and Union squares. The Brunswick Riverwalk traces the banks of the East River through the downtown, and a few blocks inland the Historic Ritz Theatre hosts community performances and traveling exhibits. About 20 minutes north of the city, the Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation State Historic Site preserves a former 19th-century rice plantation, with a museum and grounds that are open to visitors.

Brunswick's appeal as a short-term-rental base lies in this combination of mainland convenience and island access. Guests can stay in historic downtown homes, riverfront properties, or quiet residential neighborhoods while remaining within a short drive of three very different barrier islands, a national monument, working lighthouses, and the shrimp fleets that still call the local docks home. The city's central position along the Atlantic coast, between Savannah and Jacksonville and just inland from the Golden Isles, makes it a flexible anchor for a coastal Georgia getaway.