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Newnan, GA

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STR Regulations for Newnan, Georgia

Quick takeaway: Short-term rentals are allowed in Newnan, GA. The city has adopted a clear permitting framework and is actively phasing it in through a new ordinance that requires a Short-Term Rental Certificate, annual renewal, an Occupation Tax Certificate, certified home inspection, safety and habitability standards, a local contact, occupancy limits, and off-street parking.

1) Are STRs Allowed? (Overview)

Short-term rentals are currently allowed in Newnan, Georgia. A newly proposed ordinance—recommended by the Planning Commission and headed to City Council—formalizes a permitting and compliance regime. The city has identified approximately 15–25 STRs currently operating and expects more. Owners of existing STRs will have 60 days after passage to begin the certification process. The new rules would require a separate certificate for each rental unit and annual renewals.

  • Occupancy: Maximum two adults per bedroom.
  • Off-street parking: Required for residents and guests; must be paved.
  • Safety and habitability: Certified home inspection with each application.
  • Local contact: Required and must be shared with neighbors.
  • Concentration controls: In historical overlays, STRs are capped at 20% of residences.

(See Sources 1–2.)

2) How to Start a Short-Term Rental in Newnan

If the proposed ordinance passes as drafted, the path to compliance will be as follows:

  • Determine zoning eligibility and overlay constraints.
  • Engage a certified home inspector to verify compliance with life-safety and habitability codes.
  • Complete and submit the Short-Term Rental Certificate application to the Planning and Zoning Department.
  • Obtain an Occupation Tax Certificate from the City.
  • Maintain active insurance, garbage service, and a current rental agreement on file.
  • Provide local contact information (name, phone, email) to the City and to neighboring property owners.
  • Comply with ongoing requirements: occupancy limits, paved off-street parking, waste management, and annual renewal.

Timeline note for existing operators:

  • If you are already operating, you must initiate contact with the City and begin the application process within 60 days after the ordinance takes effect. (See Source 1.)

3) Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

The proposed ordinance requires the following documentation and certificates for each STR unit:

  • Short-Term Rental Certificate (Planning and Zoning Department).
  • Annual renewal of the Short-Term Rental Certificate.
  • Occupation Tax Certificate (City of Newnan).
  • Certified home inspection report confirming compliance with life safety and habitability codes (submitted with each certificate application).
  • Proof of ownership of the property.
  • Proof of insurance.
  • Proof of garbage service.
  • Name, phone number, and email of the local rental agent/contact.
  • Current rental agreement being used for the STR.

Operating standards include:

  • Occupancy limit: two adults per bedroom.
  • Paved off-street parking for residents and guests.
  • Meeting standards for window, floor, and closet space; at least one bathroom accessible without passing through another bedroom.
  • Providing the local contact information to neighboring property owners.
  • Compliance with the “good neighbor” rules set by hosting platforms (e.g., Airbnb/VRBO) and the city’s regulations.

(See Source 1.)

4) Specific Regulations (City, County, and State)

City of Newnan (proposed ordinance; planning-stage):

  • Eligibility: STRs are allowed citywide, with overlay-based concentration limits.
  • Overlay concentration: In historical overlays, STRs are capped at 20% of residences (the City can calculate the precise cap based on known housing counts).
  • Certificate: Each STR unit requires a separate certificate; annual renewal required.
  • Compliance: Certified home inspection, life-safety/habitability standards, local contact, occupancy limit (2 adults/bedroom), paved off-street parking.
  • Existing operators: 60-day window to begin compliance after passage.
  • Standards: Window/floor/closet minimums; at least one bathroom not accessed via another bedroom.

Coweta County:

  • No separate county-wide STR regulatory framework is referenced in the provided sources. City rules govern within Newnan’s corporate limits.

State of Georgia:

  • Lodging taxes: Licensed short-term rental owners must collect and remit a $5 per-night state lodging tax plus any applicable local excise taxes (up to 8%). Short-term rental hosts are taxed at the same rate as hotels and motels.
  • Platform obligations: Hosting platforms (e.g., Airbnb, VRBO) are also responsible for collecting/remitting lodging taxes.

(See Sources 1 and 3.)

5) Local Authority Contacts for STRs

City of Newnan – Planning and Zoning Department

  • Phone: 770-253-1576
  • Email: news@newnan.com (general contact)
  • Official site: www.newnan.com
  • Notes: Contact the Planning and Zoning Department for the Short-Term Rental Certificate application and to confirm the ordinance’s final status and any newly posted application forms.

For general inquiries related to licensing and permitting, the City’s main channels (website/phone) are the recommended starting point.

6) Source Pages

Important note: The proposed ordinance described in the news coverage has been recommended by the Planning Commission and is moving to City Council; verify its final status and any updated application forms directly with the City before making investments or taking action.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Newnan?

Newnan hosts earn a median $24,751/year with $132 ADR and 65% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $36,654+ per year.

See the full Newnan market breakdown

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Newnan

Market Saturation Score

036912
Moderate Saturation
6/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
5–7 declining months: moderate saturation risk - market may be nearing capacity.
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Photos of Newnan

Overview of Newnan

Newnan is a historic city in Coweta County, Georgia, located in the southwestern portion of the Atlanta metropolitan area. With a population of roughly 42,000 residents, it carries a small-town atmosphere wrapped around an unusually rich architectural heritage, earning it the long-standing nickname "The City of Homes" for its remarkable collection of antebellum, Victorian, and early-twentieth-century houses. The city sits roughly 40 miles southwest of downtown Atlanta via I-85, making it a quieter, leafy alternative to the metro while remaining within easy reach of the region's larger attractions. Visitors and prospective guests are drawn to its walkable courthouse square, its role as a filming location for several popular television productions, and its convenient position for exploring the rolling landscapes of west Georgia.

The heart of Newnan is its Downtown Historic District, centered on the stately Coweta County Courthouse and lined with locally owned shops, restaurants, and a growing roster of breweries and cafés. Roughly within a five-minute drive of most central neighborhoods, the square area also connects to several streets of preserved historic homes that have helped the city appear on national registers of historic places. It is an easy walk or short drive for any guest staying in town, and its compact size makes it an appealing anchor for an afternoon of browsing.

Just a few miles west of the city, Chattahoochee Bend State Park offers more than 2,900 acres of protected river-bottom forest along the Chattahoochee River, with hiking trails, picnic areas, a campground, and some of the best paddling access in the region. The drive from the Newnan square is typically under 20 minutes, and the park is a natural fit for travelers looking to add an outdoor day to a city-centered stay.

For those willing to venture a bit farther, the wider Atlanta metro is accessible in roughly 45 minutes to an hour by car, opening up world-class attractions including the Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coca-Cola, the Atlanta Botanical Garden, and the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park. Closer to home, several Civil War-era sites in and around Coweta County reflect the area's nineteenth-century history, as Newnan is famously associated with the wartime legend that General Sherman spared the city because of its role as a hospital and supply hub.

Newnan works as a short-term-rental base because it pairs the charm of a well-preserved Southern town with the convenience of Atlanta right up the interstate. Guests can spend mornings on the square, afternoons on a river trail, and evenings sampling the local food scene, all while enjoying room to spread out at a noticeably slower pace than the big city an hour away.

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