This guide consolidates the core regulatory requirements, licensing process, and compliance obligations for short-term rentals (STRs) serving STR investors in Jasper, Georgia (Pickens County) and Jasper County, Georgia. It draws exclusively from the provided materials and focuses on city/county/state frameworks most relevant to investors.

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Jasper, Georgia?

• City of Jasper (Pickens County): No city-specific STR ordinance was identified in the provided materials. As a result, the city relies on the general business licensing framework and applicable county and state rules.
• Jasper County (Jasper County Board of Commissioners): STRs are allowed, but they are tightly regulated. Only STRs that were operating prior to the July 10, 2023 moratorium and that were compliant with state regulations are eligible to obtain a Short-Term Vacation Rental License.
• State of Georgia: STRs must comply with state-level rules (e.g., sales tax and hotel/motel tax), which apply regardless of city or county status.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Jasper

Follow the sequence below to launch an STR in Pickens County (Jasper) and/or qualify for licensing in Jasper County.

1. Decide jurisdiction and eligibility

• Jasper, Georgia (Pickens County): No city-specific ordinance was identified. Confirm whether Pickens County requires a business license and any local tax collection; use Georgia Department of Revenue guidance for state taxes.
• Jasper County (unrelated jurisdiction): If your property is physically located in Jasper County, you must obtain a Short-Term Vacation Rental License from the Jasper County Board of Commissioners. Applications were accepted until July 12, 2024 for initial eligibility, and the program is limited to properties that were operating prior to July 10, 2023 and were compliant with state regulations.

2. If Jasper County (Jasper County Board of Commissioners):

• Complete the “Application for Short Term Vacation Rental License and Occupation Registration” for each STR dwelling.
• Pay the application fee and obtain the separate Short-Term Rental License fee for each dwelling (see fee details below).
• Provide the required documentation (owner identification, property details, parking plan, STR agent information, HOA/POA confirmation, GA Power Lease Lot status if applicable).
• Ensure your property complies with occupancy limits and parking requirements under the ordinance.

3. If Jasper (Pickens County):

• Obtain any applicable local business license (if required by Pickens County) and comply with general safety and health standards.
• Register with the Georgia Department of Revenue to collect and remit sales tax and any applicable hotel/motel tax.
• Keep proper records (receipts, guest logs if required by county/state, and occupancy documentation).

4. Property readiness and operations

• Implement safety and compliance measures (smoke/CO detectors, fire extinguishers).
• Establish occupancy limits consistent with local rules (see Jasper County limits below).
• Develop a guest information manual covering noise, parking, trash/waste, and emergency contacts.

5. Taxes

• Collect and remit state sales tax and any local hotel/motel taxes according to Georgia law. Consult the Georgia Department of Revenue for registration, filing, and remittance details.

6. Monitoring

• Track license status (Jasper County license if applicable) and renew on time; maintain compliance with occupancy, parking, and waste rules.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Jasper County (Jasper County Board of Commissioners) licensing documents and requirements include:

• Application for Short Term Vacation Rental License and Occupation Registration
  • Separate application and license required per dwelling unit.
  • License type: New or Renewal.
  • Fees:
    • Application fee per dwelling: $800.00 (non-refundable).
    • Short-Term Rental License fee per dwelling: $1,500.00.
• Owner information
  • Owner full legal name; if owner is not a natural person, provide all partners, officers, and/or directors.
  • Owner address, phone, email.
• Property information
  • STR address, city, state, zip.
  • Parcel number; neighborhood name.
• HOA/POA and GA Power Lease Lot confirmation
  • Confirm whether HOA/POA allows STRs.
  • Confirm if the property is a GA Power Lease Lot (Yes/No).
• Occupancy
  • Maximum day or night occupancy: “Jasper County Ordinance allows two persons any age per bedroom plus two additional persons any age per residence, but no rental unit shall have a maximum occupancy greater than 12.”
• Parking plan
  • Number of parking spaces allotted to the premises.
  • Include a site plan indicating designated parking areas. The plan must demonstrate adequate parking for maximum occupancy.
  • Parking restrictions apply:
    • No illegal street/road parking.
    • No parking that would hinder emergency vehicles.
    • No parking on others’ property or blocking driveways without permission.
    • No docking or tying boats to another owner’s dock without permission.
    • Vehicles parked improperly may be impounded by the Sheriff, Deputy Sheriff, or Code Enforcement Officer.
• STR Agent
  • Must be a Jasper County resident.
  • Must be the 24-hour contact.
  • Must be at least 25 years old.
  • Must be able to be present onsite within one hour of contact.
  • Provide full name, address, city, state, zip, phone, and email.

Additional requirements noted:

• Business license elements may be referenced in the application (occupation registration).
• Applications accepted through July 12, 2024; only STRs operating prior to July 10, 2023, and compliant with state regulations, are eligible for licensing.
• If the property is located in Jasper (Pickens County), no city-specific STR permit requirements were identified in the provided materials; general business and safety standards may apply.

State-level compliance (Georgia):

• Sales tax collection and remittance through the Georgia Department of Revenue.
• Hotel/motel tax obligations under state statutes (no specific rate provided in the materials).

Specific Regulations: Jasper County, Jasper City (Pickens County), and Georgia

Jasper County (Jasper County Board of Commissioners):

• Eligibility
  • Only STRs operating prior to the July 10, 2023 moratorium and compliant with state regulations are eligible for a license.
• Licensing
  • Separate license and application per dwelling.
  • Application window: Accepted through July 12, 2024 (initial eligibility period).
• Fees
  • Application fee: $800.00 (non-refundable) per dwelling.
  • Short-Term Rental License fee: $1,500.00 per dwelling.
• STR Agent
  • Must be a Jasper County resident, 25+ years old, 24-hour contact, able to respond onsite within one hour.
• Occupancy
  • Two persons per bedroom plus two additional persons per residence; maximum occupancy cannot exceed 12.
• Parking
  • Designated on-site parking required with adequate spaces for maximum occupancy.
  • Restrictions on street parking, impeding emergency access, parking on others’ property, and dock usage without permission; improper parking subject to impoundment.
• HOA/POA/GA Power Lease Lot
  • Confirm HOA/POA permission and GA Power Lease Lot status.
• Enforcement
  • Operated by the Sheriff, Deputy Sheriff, and Code Enforcement Officer for parking violations and related compliance.

City of Jasper (Pickens County):

• No city-specific STR laws identified in the provided materials.
• Compliance relies on state-level rules and any applicable county requirements (if Pickens County adopts local rules).

State of Georgia:

• Sales tax and hotel/motel tax obligations apply to STR operators (no specific rates provided in the materials).
• General safety and health standards apply; inspect and equip properties accordingly.

Contact Information

Note: The provided materials do not include specific phone/email contacts for Jasper County Planning and Zoning or Pickens County offices. Contact details should be confirmed directly via official websites.

• Jasper County Board of Commissioners

  • Official website: jaspercountyga.org/
  • License application and ordinance details are provided in the source PDFs.

• City of Jasper (Pickens County) STR regulatory contacts

  • Not specified in the provided materials.

• Georgia Department of Revenue (for tax registration and compliance)

  • Official website: dor.georgia.gov/

Links to Source Pages

• Jasper County Short-Term Rental Requirements (PDF)
  • jaspercountyga.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Notice-of-Jasper-County-Short-term-1.pdf
• Jasper County STR License Application (PDF)
  • jaspercountyga.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/STR-application-revised-5-14-24.pdf
• Chalet: Short-Term Rental Regulations in Jasper, GA
  • www.getchalet.com/rental-regulations/jasper-ga
• Lodge Compliance: Jasper County STR Overview
  • www.lodgecompliance.com/local-jurisdiction/jasper-county-ga
• Summer: Vacation Rental Management in Jasper, Georgia
  • www.gosummer.com/vacation-rental-management/jasper-georgia
• RedAwning: Jasper, Georgia Market Overview
  • www.redawning.com/pm/market-overview/jasper-georgia

This guide reflects only the information supplied in the materials. If you are evaluating property within the City of Jasper (Pickens County), monitor for future municipal or county updates; if your property is within Jasper County, follow the Jasper County licensing program’s eligibility and documentation requirements exactly as stated.