< STR REGULATIONS PAGE
Date Updated:
February 9, 2025

Savannah

Georgia

Status:
Not STR Friendly

Savannah, Georgia has strict regulations for non-owner occupied short-term rentals (STRs). Here are the key points:

  1. Location restrictions: Non-owner occupied STRs are only permitted within the short-term vacation rental overlay district, which includes the Downtown, Victorian, and Streetcar local historic districts15.
  2. Cap on STRs: A 20% per-ward cap applies to non-owner occupied parcels in the Savannah Downtown Historic District and Victorian Historic District35. This means that if the cap has been reached in a specific area, new non-owner occupied STRs are not permitted1.
  3. Licensing: Property owners must obtain a Short-Term Vacation Rental (STVR) certificate before operating an STR1. This involves completing an application and verifying compliance with zoning regulations.
  4. Notification: New STR applicants must notify all adjacent property owners and provide specific information about the rental1.
  5. Occupancy limits: The maximum occupancy for non-owner occupied STRs is four adults for units with up to two bedrooms, and two adults per bedroom for units with three or more bedrooms3.
  6. Taxes: Hotel/motel taxes must be remitted for rentals of 90 days or less1.
  7. Parking: Information about on-site parking for STR occupants must be provided in the application1.
  8. Exemplar rental agreement: A sample rental agreement outlining occupant standards must be submitted with the application and posted in the property3.
  9. Violations: Non-compliance with these regulations can result in fines and potential revocation of the STVR certificate2.

It's important to note that these regulations are strictly enforced in Savannah, and the city has implemented measures to control the growth of the STR market, particularly for non-owner occupied properties1.

https://www.savannahga.gov/2327/STVR-Regulations