Are STRs Allowed in Oconee County?

Yes. Short-term rentals are permitted in Oconee County, but only in zoning districts where they are specifically authorized under the county’s Unified Development Code (UDC). STRs are prohibited in all zoning districts unless allowed by Article 2 of the Development Code. In practical terms, whether you can operate depends on your property’s zoning classification. Always verify zoning eligibility with the Planning and Code Enforcement Department before proceeding. Additionally:

• Existing hotels, motels, inns, and other commercial lodging uses are not affected by the STR rules when located in commercial zoning districts or other districts where such uses are specifically allowed.
• Only the property owner may apply for and hold an STR license, and the owner must live on site and be present during all guest stays.

References:

• Sec. 352, UDC, Oconee County. (See source link below.)

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Oconee County

1. Confirm zoning eligibility

• Verify that short-term rentals are an authorized use in your property’s zoning district under Article 2 of the Development Code. If not allowed, do not proceed until a variance, rezoning, or other lawful path is available.

2. Prepare and submit a complete annual application

• Use the Oconee County Short-Term Rental Application (see source below). Submit to the Planning and Code Enforcement Department.
• Owner must apply; owner must live on site and be present during all guest stays.
• Licenses are issued for one calendar year, are non-transferable, and automatically terminate upon change of ownership.

3. Obtain and maintain required credentials

• Short-Term Rental License and Occupational Tax Certificate (issued together; both required annually).
• Georgia Sales and Use Tax number for hotel/motel taxes.

4. Prepare the property for inspection and compliance

• Complete the annual inspection before license issuance. Maintain all required safety equipment and post owner contact information inside the unit.

5. Operate within all STR rules

• Enforce the 30-day maximum tenancy; for non-AG properties, no more than one rental per 30-day period.
• Maintain required parking, trash, and safety standards. Provide the “rental packet” to guests and retain a guest register.

6. Monitor renewal requirements and contact updates

• Re-apply each year; licenses do not auto-renew.
• Promptly update owner contact info with the Planning and Code Enforcement Department, Sheriff’s Office, Fire Department, nearest volunteer fire station, and adjacent property owners within 300 feet.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

• Short-Term Rental License (annual; non-transferable; tied to the owner and the property).
• Occupational Tax Certificate (annual; issued alongside the STR license).
• Floor plans drawn to scale:
  • Clearly designate all rooms to be used by STR guests.
  • Indicate the specific room(s) used for sleeping.
• Site plan:
  • Show the location of the STR unit and the required off-street parking spaces and driveways.
• Current principal view photograph(s) of the structure where the STR unit will be located.
• Warranty deed (copy).
• Property owner acknowledgment statement:
  • Must be signed and notarized; attests to review of the STR code section and acceptance of responsibilities and penalties.
• Proof of Georgia Sales and Use Tax certification number (for hotel/motel tax administration).
• Evidence of compliance with all safety and operational standards (inspected annually):
  • Off-street parking (one 9’ x 19’ paved space per bedroom).
  • Fire safety: 10 lb ABC extinguisher on each level; annual certification.
  • Smoke detectors in each bedroom and on each level; interconnected.
  • Trash disposal methods aligned with permitted parameters.
  • Owner on-site presence; posted owner contact info in the rental unit.
  • No signage advertising the STR.
  • Guest register and “rental packet” with rules and safety info provided to guests.

References:

• Short-Term Rental Application (see source below).
• Sec. 352, UDC, Oconee County (see source below).

Specific Regulations for STRs in Oconee County

The following rules apply in addition to licensing requirements:

• Location

  • STRs are prohibited in all zoning districts unless specifically allowed under Article 2 of the Development Code.

• Tenancy

  • Maximum rental period is 30 days per tenancy.
  • Except for AG-zoned properties, a short-term rental may not be rented more than once during the same 30-day period.

• Annual Inspection

  • Required prior to license issuance each year.

• Parking

  • One (1) paved off-street parking space per room qualifying as a bedroom.
  • Minimum space dimensions: 9 feet wide by 19 feet long, usable rectangular area exclusive of other spaces.
  • Number of vehicles on the property during a tenancy cannot exceed the number of parking spaces available.
  • Any trailer, boat, and/or recreational vehicle counts as one separate vehicle.

• Trash

  • Dispose properly; no trash may be left on the property.
  • If curbside trash pickup is available: maximum of three (3) rolling trash cans not to exceed 65 gallons each.
  • Use of commercial or roll-off dumpsters is prohibited.

• Fire Extinguishers

  • At least one (1) 10 lb. ABC fire extinguisher per level.
  • Must be clearly visible or marked appropriately.
  • Fire extinguishers must be certified annually by a licensed fire extinguisher company.

• Smoke Detectors

  • Install in each bedroom and on each level; all detectors must be interconnected.

• Owner Requirements

  • Must be the owner of record and a resident of the subject property.
  • Must reside on site and be present overnight during all guest stays.
  • Submit name, address, and telephone number(s) to:
    • Oconee County Planning and Code Enforcement Department,
    • Oconee County Sheriff’s Office,
    • Oconee County Fire Department, and
    • The closest volunteer fire station.
  • Provide the same information to all property owners located within a 300-foot radius of the property.
  • Post the name, address, and phone number(s) in a prominent location(s) inside the unit; update promptly if information changes.
  • If the owner is unavailable or fails to respond, complainants may contact the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office. Unreachable owners may be subject to penalties.

• No Signage

  • The property shall not contain signs advertising the short-term rental.

• Meals

  • If meals are served by the resident owner, no meals other than breakfast may be served to paying guests.

• Guest Register

  • Maintain a current guest register with names, addresses, telephone numbers, and dates of occupancy for all guests.

• Rental Packet

  • Provide to guests at booking and prominently display inside the unit:
    • License number,
    • Rules and restrictions specified in the Short-Term Rental License,
    • Safety information, and
    • Contact information.

• Expansion Limits

  • The STR shall not expand beyond the specific rooms designated in the approved plans and relied upon by the Planning and Code Enforcement Department when approving the license.

• Application Standards for Granting a License

  • Applicant must prove ownership.
  • STRs must be allowed in the zoning district.
  • Applicant must demonstrate compliance with all Section 352 requirements (through inspection and records).
  • No convictions of crimes of moral turpitude within 10 years prior to application.
  • No convictions for violating Section 352 or the Development Code within 18 months prior to application.

• License Renewal and Transfer

  • Annual license; must reapply each calendar year; no proration.
  • Licenses are non-transferable.
  • Licenses automatically terminate upon change of ownership.

• Revocation and Enforcement

  • Violations may result in revocation of the license.
  • If the property manager or local contact person cannot be reached by the Planning and Code Enforcement Department more than three times within six consecutive months, this constitutes grounds for license revocation.
  • Violations also subject the owner to the penalties established in Article 14 of the Development Code.

• Taxes

  • Owners are subject to state sales tax, county taxes (including hotel/motel tax), and must remit such taxes as established by state law and the Development Code.

• Local Contact

  • If a local contact person is used, they must be reachable as noted above; failure can lead to revocation.

References:

• Sec. 352, UDC, Oconee County (see source below).

Contact Information — Oconee County STR Authority

• Primary department for STR licensing and zoning compliance:

  • Oconee County Planning and Code Enforcement Department
  • Phone: (706) 669-5313
  • Address: 1291 Greensboro Highway, Watkinsville, GA 30677
  • Email: planningandcode@oconeecountyga.gov

• Other relevant agencies (for owner contact notification and safety coordination):

  • Oconee County Sheriff’s Office
  • Oconee County Fire Department
  • Closest volunteer fire station to the property

• Note: If the owner is unavailable or fails to respond, complainants may contact the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office. If the Planning and Code Enforcement Department is unable to reach the owner, penalties per Section 352 may apply.

References:

• Sec. 352, UDC, Oconee County (see source below).

Source Links

• Oconee County Short-Term Rental Application (official PDF): www.oconeecountyga.gov/DocumentCenter/View/13755/Short-Term-Rental-Application

• Oconee County Unified Development Code Section 352 (Short-Term Rentals): www.oconeecountyga.gov/DocumentCenter/View/13755/Short-Term-Rental-Application (Contains the full text of Sec. 352 cited above.)

• Note: Additional materials available on the county site may provide form updates or inspection procedures. Consult the Oconee County Planning and Code Enforcement Department for the latest application forms and guidance.

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This guide is limited to Oconee County. While short-term rental regulations in adjacent jurisdictions (e.g., Greene County) exist, those rules are not applicable to Oconee County and are not included here. For new or existing properties, confirm zoning eligibility and all operational requirements with the Oconee County Planning and Code Enforcement Department before applying.