Overview: Are short‑term rentals allowed in Dahlonega, GA?

Yes. Short‑term rentals are allowed in Dahlonega, but the requirements differ depending on whether the property is inside the City of Dahlonega limits or in unincorporated Lumpkin County.

• City of Dahlonega: STRs are explicitly permitted by municipal ordinance (Ordinance 2020‑09), with a dedicated Article VIII governing the activity. STRs are permitted in all zoning districts except Single‑Family Residential (R‑1). A separate $100 annual City STR license is required in addition to a City business/occupational tax certificate. See City of Dahlonega Code of Ordinances, Appendix B (Zoning), Article VIII. (Source: library.municode.com/ga/dahlonega/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=SPBLAUSLADE_APXBZO and City packet mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/dahlonega-pubu/MEET-Packet-bbe4a82b937c498096952a8fb59ee400.pdf)

• Unincorporated Lumpkin County: STRs are allowed subject to county permitting. You must obtain an approved Land Use Permit before being issued a combined Business & Short‑Term Rental License. As of 2024, the county uses a single combined license and no longer uses Host Compliance. Fees: $175 for the first property (Business & STR License) plus $100 for each additional STR. See Lumpkin County Planning & Development Services (Short‑Term Rentals). (Source: www.lumpkincounty.gov/531/Short-Term-Rentals)

Bottom line for investors: Both city and county jurisdictions explicitly allow short‑term rentals with defined licensing, safety, zoning, and tax obligations. Choose your operational path based on location and comply with the corresponding city or county framework.

How to start a short‑term rental business in this market

Location determines your pathway. Follow the steps below.

• City of Dahlonega (inside city limits)

  1. Confirm zoning and district eligibility: STRs are permitted in all districts except R‑1; in PUDs, the approved site plan governs where STRs are allowed. Verify zoning with the City Community Development Department before proceeding.
  2. Obtain a City of Dahlonega Occupational Tax Certificate (business license).
  3. Complete the STR licensing process and pay the annual $100 STR license fee.
  4. Complete a code compliance verification (owner certifies zoning, building, health, and life safety code compliance) and pass any required inspections prior to issuance of the annual license.
  5. Register and remit local hotel/motel tax (see Taxes section below). If you use third‑party platforms (Airbnb, VRBO), those platforms may remit certain taxes for you; however, you remain responsible for all taxes that are not collected by the platform.
  6. Post and maintain all required contact and safety information within the STR unit.
  7. Renew licenses annually and comply with ongoing operational rules (parking, trash, occupancy, etc.).

• Unincorporated Lumpkin County

  1. Obtain an approved Land Use Permit (required before county issues any business/STR license).
  2. Complete the Occupational Tax Certificate Application (Business License Application), including the “Short‑Term Rental Only” lower section.
  3. Submit all supporting documents (notarized) and email a copy of a valid driver’s license to ashley.stahl@lumpkincounty.gov.
  4. Apply through the Business License Portal (see Links section).
  5. Pay fees ($175 Business & STR License for the first property; $100 per each additional STR). Note: Multiple properties share one Business & STR License number, with additional STR licenses per property.
  6. Register and remit county and state lodging taxes. If you only use marketplace facilitators (Airbnb, VRBO) to advertise and collect rent, those platforms remit local and state taxes on your behalf; otherwise you must collect and remit monthly.
  7. Renew annually by December 31 via the Business License Portal. The county will issue an invoice after reviewing the renewal; payment yields the license.

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

• City of Dahlonega (inside city limits)

  • Occupational Tax Certificate (business license application)
  • City Short‑Term Rental License (annual, $100) and compliance verification
  • Code Compliance Verification Form (owner certifies zoning, building, health, life safety compliance)
  • Property Manager/Local Contact designation and posting inside the STR unit
  • Safety equipment verification (fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, CO detectors) and any required inspection certification
  • Hotel/Motel Tax registration and monthly remittance (if collecting directly from guests)
  • Documentation for parking, trash, property boundary demarcation (see regulations)

• Unincorporated Lumpkin County

  • Land Use Permit (approved before license issuance)
  • Occupational Tax Certificate Application (Business License), with “Short‑Term Rental Only” section
  • Notarized supporting documents (examples: Affidavit Verifying Status, Private Employer Affidavit, Responsible Party Affidavit)
  • Email copy of valid driver’s license to ashley.stahl@lumpkincounty.gov
  • Business License Portal application
  • Business & Short‑Term Rental License fees ($175 first property; $100 each additional)
  • Hotel/Motel Tax compliance and monthly remittance by the 20th of each month (if not using marketplaces only)

Note: The county provides required notarized affidavit forms and the Business License Portal; see Forms & Documents and portal links in the Sources and Contacts sections.

Specific regulations for short‑term rentals (City, County, and State)

• City of Dahlonega (Article VIII: Short‑Term Rentals)

  • Zoning: Permitted in all zoning districts except Single‑Family Residential (R‑1). In PUDs, the site plan governs where STRs are permitted. Contact the City Community Development Department to verify eligibility.
  • Inspection: Code compliance verification and occupation tax certificate required before license issuance.
  • Parking: Off‑street parking required; one space per bedroom. Minimum space dimensions: 9 ft x 20 ft. Number of vehicles during tenancy cannot exceed available parking spaces; trailers/boats/RVs each count as one vehicle.
  • Trash: Maximum three 96‑gallon rolling trash cans; no commercial or roll‑off dumpsters; cans must be removed from curb/street after pickup and kept out of plain view.
  • Boundaries: Property boundaries must be clearly demarcated and approved by Community Development.
  • Occupancy: Maximum four occupants per bedroom.
  • Fire safety: Minimum one 10‑lb ABC fire extinguisher on each level; extinguishers must be visibly marked and annually certified.
  • Smoke and CO detectors: Smoke detector in each bedroom and on each level; all smoke detectors must be interconnected. CO detectors installed on each level and placed 5 ft off the ground.
  • Local Contact/Property Manager: 24/7 availability required; must be posted inside the STR unit and registered with City, County Sheriff, County Fire, City Law Enforcement, and neighboring property owners within 300 ft.
  • License: Annual STR license required; $100 fee.
  • Violations/penalties: Three or more code violations within 12 months triggers revocation and a 12‑month application ban for that property. Violations are municipal offenses with a minimum fine of $250 per offense. Appeals go to the City Manager within 30 days.

• Lumpkin County (outside city limits)

  • Sequencing: Land Use Permit required before issuance of the combined Business & STR License.
  • Licensing: One combined Business & STR License for the first property ($175); $100 per additional STR license; annual renewal required by December 31.
  • Platform/tax change: County no longer uses Host Compliance; licensing is handled via the Business License Portal.
  • Taxes: County hotel/motel tax increased from 5% to 8% effective for occupancy on or after August 1, 2023. Tax payments are due by the 20th of each month.
  • Tax collection/remittance: If you only use third‑party facilitators (Airbnb, VRBO), the platform remits local and state hotel/motel taxes for you. If you collect rent directly, you are responsible for remitting local and state taxes monthly.
  • Complaint reporting: Neighbors can report STR concerns via the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office Non‑Emergency Line (706‑864‑3633) or submit an online concern; complaints link to a case number and property record and are directed to Code Enforcement.

• State of Georgia (brief context)

  • State sales tax at 4% applies to transient accommodations; platform facilitators may collect and remit.
  • Georgia hotel‑motel fee (often $5 per night for first 30 days) is collected by platforms; you are responsible if you collect directly.
  • Compliance with state tax obligations is in addition to local requirements.

Taxes and reporting obligations

• State of Georgia: 4% state sales tax on gross rental receipts; $5 per‑night hotel‑motel fee (for first 30 days) typically collected by platforms.

• City of Dahlonega: 5% local hotel/motel tax on gross rental receipts for properties within city limits. If you collect directly from guests, you must register and remit monthly.

• Lumpkin County: 8% local hotel/motel tax on gross rental receipts, effective for occupancy occurring on or after August 1, 2023. Payments are due by the 20th of each month. If you only use marketplace facilitators (Airbnb, VRBO), they remit the local and state taxes for you. If you collect rent directly, you must remit taxes monthly yourself.

Practical guidance: Maintain clear records of gross receipts, platform remittances, and direct collections. Set reminders for monthly filings by the 20th to avoid penalties. Confirm your specific filing path with the City (inside city limits) or County (outside city limits).

Enforcement and compliance risks

• City enforcement relies on inspections, code compliance verification, and complaint‑based monitoring. The City maintains a violation file for each STR location. Three or more code violations within 12 months at a property can lead to revocation of certificates and a 12‑month ban on new applications, plus a minimum $250 municipal fine per offense.

• County enforcement routes complaints through the Sheriff’s Office Non‑Emergency Line and an online form that creates a case number tied to the property. The Planning Department/Code Enforcement reviews and acts on violations.

• Common risk areas include operating without required permits, failing to remit hotel/motel taxes, exceeding occupancy limits, violating parking rules, improper trash storage, missing safety equipment certifications, and failure to maintain or post local contact information.

Proactive compliance: Conduct annual self‑audits, maintain documentation in a centralized folder, and respond promptly to complaints to avoid escalation.

Contact information for local authority in charge of STRs

• City of Dahlonega (inside city limits)

  • Community Development Department: (706) 482‑2711
  • City Hall Main: (706) 864‑6133
  • Address: 465 Riley Road, Dahlonega, GA 30533
  • Website: dahlonega.gov/

• Lumpkin County (outside city limits)

  • Planning & Development Services (Short‑Term Rentals): (706) 864‑6894
  • Business License Contact (Ashley Stahl): (706) 482‑2589
  • Email: ashley.stahl@lumpkincounty.gov
  • Address: 342 Courthouse Hill Suite A, Dahlonega, GA 30533
  • Business License Portal: see Links below
  • Hotel/Motel Tax Reporting (County): see Lumpkin County forms and portal in Links
  • Sheriff’s Office Non‑Emergency Line: (706) 864‑3633 (for complaints)

• State of Georgia

  • Georgia Department of Revenue: (877) 423‑6711
  • Website: dor.georgia.gov/

Links to source pages and ordinances

• City of Dahlonega Code of Ordinances, Appendix B (Zoning), Article VIII: Short‑Term Rentals: library.municode.com/ga/dahlonega/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=SPBLAUSLADE_APXBZO
• City Council Packet with Staff Report and Ordinance 2020‑09: mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/dahlonega-pubu/MEET-Packet-bbe4a82b937c498096952a8fb59ee400.pdf
• Lumpkin County Planning & Development Services – Short‑Term Rentals (Overview and Requirements): www.lumpkincounty.gov/531/Short-Term-Rentals
• Business License Portal (Lumpkin County): lumpkincountyga23.portal.iworq.net/portalhome/lumpkincountyga23
• Hotel/Motel Tax Form (Lumpkin County): www.lumpkincounty.gov/FormCenter/Planning-22/Lumpkin-County-HotelMotel-Tax-Report-For-110
• Online Short‑Term Rental Concern Submission (Lumpkin County): lumpkincountyga2.portal.iworq.net/LUMPKINCOUNTYGA/new-case/400/4750
• Lumpkin County Code of Ordinances (Municode): library.municode.com/ga/lumpkin_county/codes/code_of_ordinances
• City of Dahlonega Official Website: dahlonega.gov/
• Georgia Department of Revenue: dor.georgia.gov/

Practical checklist for investors

• Confirm whether your property is inside the City of Dahlonega or in unincorporated Lumpkin County.
• City: Verify zoning (R‑1 is excluded); County: Confirm Land Use Permit eligibility.
• City: Apply for Occupational Tax Certificate and $100 STR license; County: Apply for Land Use Permit and Business & STR License ($175 first property; $100 each additional).
• Complete code compliance verification (City) and submit all notarized documents and driver’s license copy (County).
• Install and certify safety equipment per city standards (fire extinguishers, smoke/CO detectors) and prepare parking/trash/boundary plans.
• Register for hotel/motel taxes and set up monthly remittance by the 20th.
• Post local contact information (City) and maintain response protocols.
• Renew licenses annually and monitor complaints to prevent violations.

This guide consolidates the regulatory framework for Dahlonega and Lumpkin County short‑term rentals as of August 2025, drawn directly from the city ordinance and county public guidance. Always confirm the latest requirements with local authorities before purchasing or operating an STR.