Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed?

• Short-term rentals (STRs) are permitted in Troup County (unincorporated areas) under a detailed ordinance that requires a special use permit, a business license/occupational tax certificate, fire and life-safety inspections, and compliance with strict operational standards. A county accommodation (hotel/motel) tax applies to STR revenue.
• Within the City of LaGrange, a new STR ordinance is in motion. The City Council has called a public hearing (Oct 8, 2024) and, as of early 2025, moved fire safety inspections for STRs from the Fire Marshal to city staff. No city-specific STR permit process was finalized in the materials provided; city planning staff has proposed allowing STRs in single-family detached homes in certain zoning districts (ES-R, SU-R, TN-R, DT-MX), requiring a local contact, occupancy and separation limits, and safety standards, with city-staff inspection for fire/life safety. Confirm the current status with the city before proceeding.
• If your property is inside City of LaGrange limits, you must comply with any city STR ordinance in force and also meet county/state tax and business licensing requirements (which apply county-wide). If your property is outside the city limits but in Troup County’s jurisdiction, you must comply with the county’s STR ordinance, the county business licensing framework, and state/local tax requirements.
• Explicit statement: Yes—short-term rentals are allowed in Troup County (including unincorporated areas) and within the City of LaGrange subject to city ordinance adoption/enforcement. At present, the county’s framework is active; the city’s framework is advancing but not fully codified in the provided sources.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in This Market

• Step 1: Confirm jurisdictional coverage (City vs County). Your property’s address determines whether City of LaGrange STR rules apply. If within the city limits, check with the city’s planning department regarding current STR permit requirements.
• Step 2: Secure the required approvals and licenses (county path provided below as the active, detailed framework). You will need:
  • Special Use Permit (SUP) for STR from Troup County Board of Commissioners (BOC) after review by the Development Review Committee (DRC), Board of Zoning Appeals and Planning Commission (BOZAPC), and BOC. Attendance at BOZAPC and BOC meetings is required.
  • Business License / Occupational Tax Certificate from Troup County Community Development/Business License Office.
  • Fire and Life Safety inspection by the Troup County Fire Marshal or City of LaGrange (if property is in the city), plus a Building inspection by the County Building Official if applicable.
• Step 3: Complete application submissions.
  • Submit the STR Special Use Application with a site plan showing layout, amenities, and approved parking. Application fee: $500.
  • Submit the New Business License & Occupational Tax Certificate Application Form and required attachments.
  • Ensure all inspections are completed and final approvals are issued before operating.
• Application submission methods:
  • Online via GeoPermit (Troup County): permitting.schneidergis.com/ (create an account; pay online or in person).
  • In person or by email with Troup County Community Development.
• Step 4: Register for all applicable taxes and identifiers:
  • Sales Tax Number (Georgia Department of Revenue).
  • Federal Tax ID (IRS), required before obtaining the county business license if you are not using a Social Security Number.
  • If operating as a corporation, LLC, or partnership, verify compliance with the Georgia Secretary of State.
  • Hotel/Motel (Accommodation) Tax: 8% imposed under county ordinance Sec. 50–58 on lodging; quarterly returns are required by the county finance office.
• Timing expectations:
  • The full permitting sequence (DRC review → BOZAPC hearing → BOC approval) can take several weeks to a few months depending on hearing schedules. Build a timeline cushion before listing your property.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Operational Guidelines

• Troup County Special Use Permit for Short-Term Rentals
  • Application form and site plan (layout, amenities, parking); application fee $500.
  • Proof of ownership; minimum three (3) years ownership prior to application is required.
  • Owner must be the applicant; only one STR permit per owner regardless of ownership type (e.g., LLC).
  • The county limits STR permits to 12 per calendar year, with a local-residency preference policy and a waiting list that resets annually (terminate Dec 31; reapply Jan 1).
• Business License / Occupational Tax Certificate (Troup County)
  • New Business License & Occupational Tax Certificate Application Form.
  • Proof of ownership.
  • ID: Driver’s License or Permanent Resident Card.
  • Sales Tax ID or Social Security Number.
  • Federal Tax ID (IRS EIN), if applicable.
  • Final inspections:
    • Fire Marshal (fire/life safety) and Building Official (structural/occupancy).
  • Homeowner’s insurance proof.
  • Maximum number of vehicles to be parked on-site (as approved by Roads & Engineering).
• Local Contact/Agent Requirements
  • Designate a STR agent/contact person on the SUP application who is available 24/7 and able to respond to the STR property within 30 minutes. The contact must post their information in the STR dwelling and share it with adjoining neighbors; updates must be provided immediately to the county and neighbors.
• Responsible Person (Guest Contract)
  • Each guest party must designate a “Responsible Person” who is at least 25 years of age. This person signs lodging contracts (including noise, parking, and occupancy terms) and provides photo identification to the local contact.
• Property Standards (Highlights from County Ordinance)
  • STR limited to detached single-family dwellings; accessory dwellings are prohibited for STR use.
  • Safety codes must be met at all times (fire, building, health).
  • House policies must be posted in each guest bedroom and incorporated into the rental agreement; policies include quiet hours (dusk to dawn), prohibited amplified sound beyond property boundaries, designated parking (per county approval), garbage pickup terms, and prohibition of parties/events exceeding maximum occupancy or likely to cause neighborhood issues.
  • Maintain books/records of STR activities and any complaints for at least three years; make records available for inspection within 10 business days of written request.
• City of LaGrange (Proposed/Developing Ordinance—Verify Current Status)
  • STRs allowed in single-family detached homes located in ES-R, SU-R, TN-R, and DT-MX zoning districts.
  • Permit required; requires local contact who is at least 25 years old and available 24/7 within one hour; neighbors must be notified of contact changes.
  • Separation: at least 1,000 feet between STR properties (except in the downtown district).
  • Occupancy: maximum of two guests per bedroom plus five children under 12; parking limited to one vehicle per bedroom.
  • Safety: compliance with fire/safety codes; city staff, rather than the fire marshal, perform fire/life safety inspections under the city’s 2025 amendment. Fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and video cameras covering all points of egress are required.
  • Posting of regulations and neighbor notification when applying for STR permits.

Specific Regulations (City and County, with County Being Operative Today)

• Owner vs. Non-Owner Occupied (Troup County)
  • Owner-occupied: Owner must permanently reside on-site for minimum 365 days annually; maximum 175 rental days per year; owner must be present during any rental period.
  • Non-owner occupied: Maximum 92 rental days per year; only one dwelling per parcel may be used for STR; owner must have local representative if not living in Troup County.
• Occupancy (Troup County)
  • Maximum total guests: two per bedroom plus two additional persons, up to ten (10) persons total.
  • Bedrooms: maximum four bedrooms may be used for STR.
  • Bathrooms: one full bathroom per full floor; one bathroom required for every two bedrooms rented.
  • Daytime occupancy: maximum occupancy plus four (between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m.).
• Separation and Parking (Troup County)
  • Minimum distance: 2,640 feet (half-mile) measured radially from all boundaries of any existing STR unit.
  • No parking on public right-of-way or along roadways at any time; use designated areas approved by Roads and Engineering.
• STR Permit Limits and Local Preference (Troup County)
  • Annual cap: 12 permits per calendar year; waitlist with local residency preference; waitlist terminates Dec 31; reapplication required.
  • One permit per owner; permits are non-transferable and not tied to land ownership.
• Advertising and Compliance (Troup County)
  • Written advertisement for STR during periods without an active permit is prohibited.
  • Application may be denied if applicant currently rents in violation of county codes or has three final convictions under county ordinances related to STR property.
• City of LaGrange (Proposed/Developing Ordinance—Verify Current Status)
  • STR permit required; local contact; neighbor notification.
  • Occupancy: two guests per bedroom plus five children under 12; parking: one vehicle per bedroom.
  • Separation: 1,000 feet between STRs (except downtown district).
  • Safety: city staff fire/life safety inspections; extinguishers, detectors, cameras covering egress points.
  • Prohibited uses/events: weddings, special events, and commercial functions at STRs.
• Taxes and Fees (County-wide)
  • Hotel/Motel Tax: 8% on STR lodging revenue; quarterly returns and remittance to county finance office.
  • Sales Tax: applicable state sales tax obligations may apply to STR transactions; confirm with the Georgia Department of Revenue.
  • Application fees: $500 for Special Use Application (county); other license/inspection fees as determined by county departments.
• Enforcement and Penalties (Troup County—Active Ordinance)
  • Violations declared public nuisance; abatement remedies available; daily violations constitute separate offenses.
  • Fines: $250 (first), $500 (second), $750 (third), $1,000 (fourth and subsequent).
  • Automatic revocation: three (3) complaints within two years, verified by law enforcement/code enforcement or substantiated by sworn affidavit or video/audio evidence, result in revocation of the occupational tax certificate and STR business license.
  • Magistrate Court civil penalty: up to $1,000 per day after considering circumstances.
  • Complaints: during business hours call Community Development; after hours call Sheriff’s Office (706-883-1616) or E-911 non-emergency (706-883-1700).

Contact Information (Local Authority in Charge of STRs)

• Troup County Community Development (Planning & Zoning; STR Special Use Permits; Business Licenses)
  • Address: 100 Ridley Avenue, Suite 1300, LaGrange, GA 30240
  • Phone: (706) 883-1650
  • Email: communitydevelopment@troupcountyga.gov
  • Website/Forms: troupcountyga.gov/Planning/Applications
• Troup County Fire Marshal (Fire/Life Safety Inspections)
  • Address: 100 Ridley Avenue, 1st Floor, LaGrange, GA 30240
  • Phone: (706) 957-4293
  • Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
• Troup County Building Official (Building Inspections)
  • Address: 100 Ridley Avenue, 1st Floor, LaGrange, GA 30240
  • Phone: (706) 883-1650
  • Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
• Property Appraisal (Personal Property Assessment)
  • Address: 100 Ridley Avenue, 2nd Floor, LaGrange, GA 30240
  • Phone: (706) 883-1625
  • Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
• City of LaGrange Planning Department (City STR Ordinance; Permitting—Verify Current Status)
  • City website; public hearing scheduled for Oct 8, 2024; city staff fire safety inspections authorized in 2025 amendment.
• Troup County Sheriff’s Office (Complaints After Hours)
  • Phone: (706) 883-1616
• E-911 Non-Emergency (Complaints After Hours)
  • Phone: (706) 883-1700
• IRS Federal Tax ID
  • Phone: (800) 829-4933
  • Website: www.irs.gov
• Online Permitting Portal (GeoPermit)
  • permitting.schneidergis.com/

Links to Source Pages

• Troup County Short-Term Rental Owner Guidebook (2024) and County Ordinance: www.troupcountyga.gov/Content/Documents/planning/2024/Short-Term-Rental-Owner-Guidebook%20-%20Troup.pdf
• Troup County Planning Applications (STR and Business License Forms): troupcountyga.gov/Planning/Applications
• Business License / Occupational Tax Certificate Applications (Troup County): troupcountyga.gov/Building/Licenses_OTC
• GeoPermit Online Portal (Troup County Permitting): permitting.schneidergis.com/
• LaGrange Daily News: County Limits STR Permits and Rental Days (April 4, 2024): www.lagrangenews.com/2024/04/04/county-limits-short-term-vacation-rental-permits-and-rental-days/
• LaGrange Daily News: City Moves Forward with Potential STR Ordinance (Aug 28, 2024): www.lagrangenews.com/2024/08/28/lagrange-moves-forward-with-potential-short-term-rental-ordinance/
• The Host Report: STR Regulations Update (includes LaGrange fire inspection change): www.thehostreport.com/regulations/feb-27-mar-5-2025-short-term-rental-regulations-update

Notes for Investors:

• City of LaGrange STR rules are in development; confirm current adoption status and permit criteria with city planning before investing.
• Troup County’s ordinance governs unincorporated areas; strict caps, separation requirements, occupancy limits, and owner- vs. non-owner-occupied day caps make compliance planning and property selection critical.
• Tax remittance obligations include the 8% county hotel/motel tax on lodging revenue and likely state sales tax considerations—register appropriately and calendar quarterly filings.
• Operational discipline is essential: designate an effective local agent, post and enforce house policies, and maintain meticulous records to mitigate enforcement and revocation risk.