A Short-Term Vacation Rental (STVR) in Savannah, Georgia is defined as “the rental of an entire dwelling unit (an apartment or house) for 30 days or less.” Properties with 2-5 rooms operate as bed and breakfasts, while those with 6-15 rooms are classified as inns. Inns require either owner-occupancy or 24/7 on-site management.

Yes, there are STR regulations that affect property owners in Savannah, Georgia.

Yes, there are short-term vacation rental related taxes.

Yes, individuals are legally permitted to operate short-term rental businesses in Savannah, Georgia. There are also provisions for owners to have Short-Term Rental Agents.

No, there is not a formal neighborhood approval requirement for short-term vacation rentals (STVRs) in Savannah, Georgia. However, neighborhood notification is required and confirmation necessary for obtaining an STVR license in Savannah, Georgia.

No, you do not need to obtain neighborhood approval for their STVR property

STVRs are allowed in specific zones in Savannah, Georgia including Downtown, Victorian and Streetcar local historic districts. Outside of this overlay, they are only permitted in certain Business and Agriculture zoning classifications (B-C, B-N, B-L and A-1). While the special overlay allows them anywhere, outside this zone, Short-Term Vacation Rentals are restricted to specific Business and Agriculture districts defined by zoning regulations.

Yes, there are short-term vacation rental related taxes.

Yes, owners are required to obtain a short-term vacation rental license from the Department of Planning and Urban Design in Savannah, Georgia.

**Local Hotel/Motel Taxes: **STVRs in Savannah are subject to an 8% local hotel/motel tax, payable to the City's Revenue Department (https://www.savannahga.gov/494/Revenue) by the 20th day of the following month after guests depart.

State Use And Sales Tax: Along with the local hotel/motel tax, your STVR revenue is subject to a 7% state use and sales tax, due by the 20th of the following month. Online payments are mandatory for amounts over $500. Sign up with the Georgia Revenue Department ("DOR") to create your username and access your online payment portal. If this is your first time filing state sales tax, you'll also need to register with the DOR for a state sales tax number (https://dor.georgia.gov/sales-use-tax).

Savannah doesn't have a comprehensive list of prohibited zip codes for STVRs, it regulates them through zoning restrictions.

Single-family homes, Multi-family homes and Secondary dwelling units which includes Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and guest houses.

** **

Yes, Occupancy limit affects short-term vacation rentals in Savannah, Georgia.

** **

1.     Licensing and Permitting: In Savannah, Georgia, property owners who wish to operate a short-term rental business must obtain an STVR License and a Short-term Rental Permit from the Planning and Urban Design Department.

2.     Building, Safety and Health Regulations: In Savannah, STVRs must meet the same building, health, and safety standards as any residential dwelling. This includes fire safety codes, proper sanitation and plumbing, and structural integrity.

3.     Taxes: Upon STVR application approval, hosts are to obtain a Business Tax Certificate ("BTC") from the Revenue Department. You are to submit a copy of the BTC to the Planning and Urban Design office to finalize the issuance of your STVR Certificate. Following this, Hosts are required to collect relevant taxes from guests and remit them to relevant authorities concerned.

4.     Insurance: Owners are required to have a minimum** **liability insurance limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate.

5.     Parking requirements: The parking requirements for short-term vacation rentals (STVRs) in Savannah, Georgia, can vary depending on the location of your property and whether it's in a Downtown, Victorian or Streetcar District. Owners are required to provide parking for their guests or inform them the location of the designated parking lot.

** **

Requirements for an STVR license includes:

• Property address
• Copy of the written agreement to be used between the property owner/agent and renters
• Proof of property ownership
• Proof of insurance
• Adjacent neighbor notification
• Copy of the adopted condo declaration if applicable
• Property owner information including name, address, phone number, and email address
• STVR unit information including address, number of bedrooms, and number and location of off-street parking spaces
• Rental agent information including name, address, 24/7 phone number, and email address
• STVR business location information including condition, property identification number, previous business use, ward, and owner-occupied vs. non-owner occupied
• Non-refundable application fee of $400

The above is required to be submitted alongside a completed STVR Application Form (https://www.savannahga.gov/DocumentCenter/View/28693)

A separate application must be obtained for each property used as a STVR.

**1.     Advertisement: **Owners are required to include their short-term vacation rental license number and exemplar rental agreement in all advertisements and listings online and onsite. Hosts are also to post a legible copy of the STVR unit certificate within the property premises and include all of the following information:

The name, address, telephone number and email address of the STVR Agent; the business tax certificate number; the maximum occupancy of the unit; the maximum number of vehicles that may be parked at the property.

2.     Neighborhood Notification: Hosts are to provide a written notice containing the street address of the proposed STVR, location of on-site parking for STVR occupants, maximum occupancy requirements, copy of the STVR rental agreement, name of the property owner, name and contact information of the rental agent or company to obtain a neighborhood approval. The notification can be delivered via certified mail, return receipt requested, or hand-delivered with a signed receipt and a proof submitted before an STVR certificate can be issued.

3.     Emergency Contact Information: This requirement is part of the Savannah City Code and is in place to ensure the safety and well-being of both guests and residents in the event of an emergency. The information should include the Full name, Phone number, Email address and Emergency contact information (optional).

4.     Accessibility: There are some general regulations and considerations that apply to all residential properties, including STVRs, which can have implications for accessibility including the Fair Housing Act, the Building codes and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Violations of the STVR Ordinances/ Regulations carry cumulative fines that cannot be lowered or excused. These start at $500 for the first offense, increase to $750 for a second within a year, and reach $1,000 for the third within the same period. Remember, there can be combined with other legal measures the city may take including suspension or revocation of your STVR license.

** **

Yes, there is an official regulatory body for STVRs in Savannah, Georgia.

** **

The official regulatory body or authority for short-term rentals (STVRs) in Savannah, Georgia is the City of Savannah Planning and Urban Design Department.

Website: https://www.savannahga.gov/1476/Short-Term-Vacation-Rentals

Director: Bridget Lidy

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1027, Savannah, GA 31402

Office Location:20 Interchange Drive, Administration Building, Savannah, GA 31415

Phone: 912-651-3108 (On-site drop box available)

Email: planning@savannahga.gov

1.     Specific Neighborhood Associations: Some might have negotiated exemptions or additional restrictions within their community agreements.

2.     Properties within Designated Historic Districts: These could have preservation rules that supersede or modify STVR regulations.

3.     Properties within Gated Communities or HOAs: Individual regulations might prohibit or limit STVRs within their boundaries.

It is advisable to contact the City of Savannah Planning and Urban Design Department for definitive information about exemptions for specific properties or areas and check with your neighborhood association or HOA about any additional rules or restrictions.

Requirements for an STVR license includes:

• Property address
• Copy of the written agreement to be used between the property owner/agent and renters
• Proof of property ownership
• Proof of insurance
• Adjacent neighbor notification
• Copy of the adopted condo declaration if applicable
• Property owner information including name, address, phone number, and email address
• STVR unit information including address, number of bedrooms, and number and location of off-street parking spaces
• Rental agent information including name, address, 24/7 phone number, and email address
• STVR business location information including condition, property identification number, previous business use, ward, and owner-occupied vs. non-owner occupied
• Non-refundable application fee of $400

The above is required to be submitted alongside a completed STVR Application Form (https://www.savannahga.gov/DocumentCenter/View/28693)

A separate application must be obtained for each property used as a STVR.