BondPermit · Short-term rental rules

Short-term rental rules in Savannah, GA

Compiled from the city's official pages — rules you must confirm before you list. Compiled August 2026; rules change, confirm each on the official site.

Savannah, GA · rules you must confirm

Registration & tax

Compiled from the city's official pages. Links go to the official site where available — confirm each before you list.

Registration / license
Short-Term Vacation Rental (STVR) Certificate — required before operating; rentals are of a dwelling for 30 days or less. Confirm with the City whether your property's zoning/overlay district, any per-ward density caps, and owner-occupancy rules permit an STVR at your address. The certificate number and an exemplar rental agreement must be included as required; a separate Business Tax Certificate from the Revenue Department is also required.
Issued by City of Savannah Planning & Urban Design (STVR Certificate) plus City of Savannah Revenue Department (Business Tax Certificate); applications are submitted through the City's STVR registration portal · $400 new application (non-refundable) · $250 annual renewal (non-refundable)
Lodging / occupancy tax
City Hotel/Motel Excise Tax registration + monthly remittance, plus separate Georgia state sales/use tax registration
City of Savannah Revenue Department (local hotel/motel excise tax) + Georgia Department of Revenue (state sales/use tax) · Approx. 8% city hotel/motel excise + 7% GA state sales/use tax (remit ~20th of the following month) — confirm current rates with the City of Savannah Revenue Dept. / GA DOR
Base zoning

Check your exact address's zoning — live

Zoning is parcel-specific. We don't guess it on this page — check your exact address against the city's live GIS.

Check your address's live zoning →
Savannah, GA · stay current

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Savannah, GA · common questions

FAQ

Does Savannah require short-term rentals to register?

The city lists a short-term-rental registration (Short-Term Vacation Rental (STVR) Certificate — required before operating; rentals are of a dwelling for 30 days or less. Confirm with the City whether your property's zoning/overlay district, any per-ward density caps, and owner-occupancy rules permit an STVR at your address. The certificate number and an exemplar rental agreement must be included as required; a separate Business Tax Certificate from the Revenue Department is also required.) on its official pages. Whether it applies to your specific listing depends on factors we don't verify — confirm directly with City of Savannah Planning & Urban Design (STVR Certificate) plus City of Savannah Revenue Department (Business Tax Certificate); applications are submitted through the City's STVR registration portal. Informational only, not legal advice.

How much does Savannah STR registration cost?

Published fee guidance: $400 new application (non-refundable) · $250 annual renewal (non-refundable). Fees change — confirm the current amount with City of Savannah Planning & Urban Design (STVR Certificate) plus City of Savannah Revenue Department (Business Tax Certificate); applications are submitted through the City's STVR registration portal before you pay.

What taxes apply to short-term rentals in Savannah?

The city lists City Hotel/Motel Excise Tax registration + monthly remittance, plus separate Georgia state sales/use tax registration (Approx. 8% city hotel/motel excise + 7% GA state sales/use tax (remit ~20th of the following month) — confirm current rates with the City of Savannah Revenue Dept. / GA DOR), administered by City of Savannah Revenue Department (local hotel/motel excise tax) + Georgia Department of Revenue (state sales/use tax). Confirm current rates and how to register on the official tax page.

Can I run a non-owner-occupied Airbnb in Savannah?

That depends on the city's zoning and primary-residence rules, which we don't verify here — confirm with City of Savannah Planning & Urban Design (STVR Certificate) plus City of Savannah Revenue Department (Business Tax Certificate); applications are submitted through the City's STVR registration portal and check your exact address's base zoning.

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