Jackson, Georgia Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: STR Status in Jackson, GA

Yes, short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Jackson, GA. The city maintains an active short-term rental permit program, as evidenced by the dedicated "Short Term Rental Permit Application" page on the city website (last updated December 3, 2023). Operators must obtain a city permit before operating any short-term rental business within Jackson city limits.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Jackson?

Jackson hosts earn a median $32,494/year with $236 ADR and 53% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $45,868+ per year.

See the full Jackson market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Jackson, GA

Starting a short-term rental business in Jackson requires following a systematic process to ensure full compliance with city and county regulations:

Property Verification: Confirm your property is located within Jackson city limits and zoned appropriately for short-term rental use
Permit Application: Obtain the city Short-Term Rental Permit Application from the city's licenses and permits page
Business License: Secure a general business license from the city
Tax Registration: Register with Butts County for hotel/motel tax collection and reporting
Compliance Setup: Implement required safety measures, insurance, and operational procedures
Ongoing Management: Maintain active permit status, file monthly tax reports, and comply with all renewal requirements

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

City of Jackson Requirements

Short-Term Rental Permit

Application form available as "Short Term Rental Permit Application.pdf" (1.38 MB)
Must be completed and approved before operations begin
Contact person for permit inquiries: marjorie.stansell@cityofjacksonga.com

Business License

NEW LICENSE APPLICATION required for all business operations
Separate application from the STR permit but necessary for operation
Available through the city's Licenses & Permits page

Butts County Requirements

Hotel/Motel Occupancy Excise Tax Registration

8% tax rate on all short-term rental transactions
Monthly reporting requirement using "SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTALS - HOTEL/MOTEL OCCUPANCY EXCISE TAX MONTHLY REPORT"
Business License Account Number required
Must collect and remit taxes on all bookings, including those through online travel companies (Airbnb, VRBO, etc.)

Safety and Operational Guidelines

Properties must comply with all applicable fire safety codes
Adequate insurance coverage recommended (specific requirements should be confirmed during permit application)
Properties must meet standard residential occupancy limits

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

City of Jackson (Municipal Level)

Permit Required: STR operations require prior city approval through permit application process
Application Process: Submit completed Short Term Rental Permit Application to city administration
Active Program: The city maintains an updated permit system with recent applications (December 2023)
Contact-Based: Direct communication with city staff (marjorie.stansell@cityofjacksonga.com) required for permit matters

Butts County (County Level)

Hotel/Motel Tax: 8% tax on gross receipts from short-term rentals
Monthly Reporting: Operators must file monthly tax reports even if no rentals occurred during the reporting period
Online Platform Compliance: Taxes apply to all bookings, including those through third-party platforms like Airbnb and VRBO
Business License: County business license account number required for tax reporting
Exemptions: Limited exemptions allowed under O.C.G.A 48-13-51 (Georgia state law)

Georgia State Level

Maximum Stay Definition: Short-term rentals are defined as accommodations for 30 consecutive days or less
Tax Authority: State law (O.C.G.A 48-13-51) provides framework for local hotel/motel tax collection
Business Registration: STRs may require state-level business registration depending on operation structure

Contact Information for Local Authority

City of Jackson (Permit Authority)

Primary Contact for STR Permits:

Email: marjorie.stansell@cityofjacksonga.com
Phone: 770-775-7535
Fax: 770-775-8051
Address: 134 S OAK STREET, JACKSON, GA 30233
Website: cityofjacksonga.com/index.php/licenses-permits/15-short-term-rental-permit-application

Butts County (Tax Authority)

Primary Contact for Hotel/Motel Tax:

Department: Planning and Development - Hotel/Motel Tax Division
Address: 625 West Third Street, Suite 4, Jackson, GA 30233
Phone: 770-775-8200
Fax: 775-8211
Website: buttscountyga.com

Links to Source Pages

City STR Permit Application: cityofjacksonga.com/index.php/licenses-permits/15-short-term-rental-permit-application
City Licenses & Permits: cityofjacksonga.com/index.php/licenses-permits
Butts County Hotel/Motel Tax Report Form: buttscountyga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Short-Term-Vacation-Rentals-Hotel.Motel-Tax-Report.pdf
Georgia STR Definition Reference: www.pacaso.com/blog/what-is-short-term-rental (provides Georgia state context)

Important Investment Considerations

Compliance Timeline: Allow sufficient time for permit processing before planning to begin operations. The application process involves both city permit approval and county tax registration.

Ongoing Obligations: STR operators must maintain active business license and permit status, file monthly tax reports even during non-rental periods, and stay current with any regulatory updates from either the city or county.

Financial Planning: Budget for the 8% hotel/motel tax obligation on all rental income, which significantly impacts profit margins and must be collected and remitted monthly to Butts County.

Regulatory Monitoring: Both Jackson and Butts County maintain active oversight of STR operations, so investors should establish direct communication channels with both authorities to stay informed of any regulatory changes or compliance requirements.

Next step

Found a property in Jackson?

Paste any address and get estimated revenue, cash-on-cash return, and comparable STR performance in under 5 minutes. 3 free analyses per day.

Ask the AI Advisor about Jackson

Jackson sits in central Georgia as the county seat of Butts County, a small but historically rooted city of roughly 5,500 residents. It carries a quiet, small-town Southern character anchored by a traditional courthouse square, tree-lined residential streets, and a pace of life that draws visitors looking for an escape from the bustle of metro Atlanta, which lies about 45 miles to the northwest. The city is best known as a gateway to the lakes, forests, and spring-fed parks of the central Piedmont region, and it serves as a convenient base for travelers exploring the rural stretches of middle Georgia.

Just a short drive southeast of town, Indian Springs State Park is one of the highlights of the area. Roughly 15 minutes from Jackson's downtown, the park is one of Georgia's oldest state parks, with spring water historically valued for its mineral content, shaded picnic areas, a small lake for fishing and paddling, campsites, and a museum housed in a mid-20th-century stone structure. The park's combination of historical interest and easy outdoor recreation makes it a recurring draw for families and day-trippers.

A few miles to the northeast, Jackson Lake stretches across the landscape as one of the larger reservoirs in the region, formed by a dam on the Ocmulgee River. The lake is a popular destination for boating, fishing, and lakeside cabin stays, and several public access points and marinas sit within about 20 minutes of the city. Visitors drawn by the water often pair a day on the lake with an evening in Jackson's historic core, making the area feel like a coordinated weekend destination rather than a single stop.

Downtown Jackson itself is worth a slower look. The Butts County courthouse anchors a compact square surrounded by locally owned shops, cafés, and small civic landmarks, and the surrounding blocks include a handful of preserved 19th-century homes and churches. The setting offers the kind of walkable, low-key atmosphere that short-term rental guests often appreciate as a counterpoint to time spent outdoors at the nearby parks and lake.

Taken together, Jackson's combination of small-town character, proximity to Atlanta, and access to outdoor destinations like Indian Springs and Jackson Lake gives it a natural appeal as a short-term rental base. Guests can spend mornings on the water or on wooded trails and still return in the evening to a quiet historic square, an experience that feels distinct from the more crowded getaways farther north.

Jackson, Georgia

Generally Investor Friendly

STR Regulations for Jackson, Georgia