This guide covers short-term rental rules for the City of Savannah, Georgia. Neighboring markets often confused with Savannah include:
- Tybee Island: Separate city with its own strict STR caps and licensing.
- Pooler: Distinct city west of Savannah with different STR rules and zoning.
- Garden City: Adjacent municipality with its own STR regulations.
- Thunderbolt: Small town east of Savannah, governed by its own ordinances.
Legality Verdict
Short-term rentals are legal in Savannah with a required city-issued certificate and business license. Density caps apply in historic districts, and enforcement is increasingly proactive with software monitoring and rising fines.
- Legality Status: 4/5
- License Availability: 4/5
- Compliance Cost (% revenue): 2/5
- Regulatory Stability: 3/5
- Enforcement Climate: 2/5
TL;DR
Savannah defines STRs as short-term vacation rentals (STVRs) and requires both a city STVR certificate and a business license. The total lodging tax is 8% plus a $5/night state fee and 4% state sales tax. Density is capped at 20% of parcels per ward in key historic districts. Enforcement is shifting to proactive software-based detection, with fines starting at $500. The biggest gotcha: the $5/night state fee sharply increases compliance costs.
Quick Facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| STR Definition | Short-term vacation rental (STVR) — rental of a dwelling for less than 30 days City of Savannah Code of Ordinances |
| Registration Required | Yes — STVR certificate and Business Tax Certificate required City of Savannah Official Website |
| Permit Cost | [needs verification — call City of Savannah Revenue Department at (912) 651-6450 or see https://www.savannahga.gov/1587/Business-License] |
| Annual Renewal | [needs verification — call City of Savannah Revenue Department at (912) 651-6450 or see https://www.savannahga.gov/1587/Business-License] |
| State Sales Tax | 4% of listing price (including cleaning fees) Airbnb Help Center |
| State Hotel-Motel Fee | $5 per night, first 30 days Airbnb Help Center |
| Local Accommodations Tax | 8% hotel/motel tax City of Savannah Ordinance |
| Total Effective Lodging Tax | 8% (city) + $5/night (state fee) City of Savannah Ordinance |
| Total Tax Burden (all taxes) | 8% (city) + 4% (state sales tax) + $5/night (state fee) City of Savannah Ordinance |
| Occupancy Cap | Not codified — no separate citywide occupancy cap identified in sources reviewed City of Savannah Code of Ordinances |
| Minimum Night Stay | Not codified — no separate citywide minimum stay identified in sources reviewed City of Savannah Code of Ordinances |
| Parking Requirement | Not codified — no separate citywide parking requirement identified in sources reviewed City of Savannah Code of Ordinances |
| Inspection Requirement | Not codified — no separate citywide inspection requirement identified in sources reviewed City of Savannah Code of Ordinances |
| Local Contact Requirement | Yes — local agent must be available and able to appear within 24 hours City of Savannah Code of Ordinances |
| HOA/Condo Override | Yes — city certificate does not override private covenants City of Savannah Code of Ordinances |
| Density Limit | 20% per ward cap on non-owner-occupied parcels in Downtown and Victorian Historic Districts City of Savannah Official Website |
| Primary Residence Rule | Not codified — no citywide owner-occupancy requirement identified in sources reviewed City of Savannah Code of Ordinances |
| Transferability | Not transferable — new owner must apply for new certificate How to Get a Business License in Savannah, Georgia |
| Enforcement Penalties | Fines start at $500, increase to $750 and $1,000 for repeat offenses WJCL News |
| Enforcement Method | Proactive software monitoring (Rentalscape) and complaint-driven WJCL News |
| License Cap | Yes — 20% per ward in historic districts City of Savannah Official Website |
| Permitted Zones | [needs verification — no primary source found] |
| Last Updated | June 11, 2026 |
Regulatory Impact Snapshot
Savannah’s STR regime is defined by a high compliance cost, driven by an 8% city hotel/motel tax, a $5/night state hotel fee, and a 4% state sales tax. Underwriters should model compliance costs at 15.2% of gross revenue, with median Savannah STRs earning $43,598 at an average daily rate of $248 and 50% occupancy. The $5/night state fee is the single largest cost driver, especially for high-occupancy properties. Density caps in historic districts and proactive enforcement software are the binding constraints for new entrants. Run this market in our Airbnb Calculator →
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Frequently Asked Questions
Basics
What is considered a short-term rental in Savannah?
A short-term rental is defined as a dwelling rented for less than 30 days, known locally as a short-term vacation rental (STVR) City of Savannah Code of Ordinances.
Are short-term rentals legal in Savannah?
Yes, STRs are legal with a required city-issued STVR certificate and business license City of Savannah Official Website.
Do Savannah city rules apply to all properties with a Savannah address?
No, some properties with a Savannah address are in unincorporated Chatham County and follow county rules realestateinsavannah.net.
Licensing
What licenses are required to operate an STR in Savannah?
You need both a Short-Term Vacation Rental (STVR) certificate and a Business Tax Certificate City of Savannah Official Website.
Are STR permits transferable if I sell my property?
No, permits are not transferable; new owners must apply for a new certificate How to Get a Business License in Savannah, Georgia.
Is there a cap on the number of STRs in Savannah?
Yes, there is a 20% per-ward cap on non-owner-occupied STRs in the Downtown and Victorian Historic Districts City of Savannah Official Website.
Taxes
What is the total lodging tax rate for STRs in Savannah?
The total is 8% city hotel/motel tax plus a $5/night state fee and 4% state sales tax City of Savannah Ordinance.
Does Airbnb collect and remit taxes for Savannah hosts?
Yes, Airbnb collects and remits the 8% city tax, $5/night state fee, and 4% state sales tax Airbnb Help Center.
Are there exemptions to the hotel/motel tax?
Yes, stays over 30 consecutive days and certain government guests are exempt City of Savannah Ordinance.
Operations
Is there a minimum night stay or occupancy cap?
No separate citywide minimum stay or occupancy cap is codified City of Savannah Code of Ordinances.
Is a local contact required for each STR?
Yes, a local agent must be available and able to appear within 24 hours City of Savannah Code of Ordinances.
Do HOA or condo rules override city STR permits?
Yes, private covenants are not overridden by city-issued certificates City of Savannah Code of Ordinances.
Are there inspection requirements for STRs?
No separate citywide inspection or life-safety requirement is codified City of Savannah Code of Ordinances.
Enforcement
What are the penalties for violating STR rules?
Fines start at $500, increasing to $750 and $1,000 for repeat offenses WJCL News.
How does Savannah enforce STR compliance?
The city uses Rentalscape software to proactively detect unpermitted rentals and responds to complaints WJCL News.
How can neighbors report STR violations?
Residents can file complaints through the city’s official online form WJCL News.
Permit Process
Savannah requires both a Short-Term Vacation Rental (STVR) certificate and a Business Tax Certificate before operating any STR. The STVR certificate is not transferable; new owners must apply for their own. The application process is managed by the city’s Revenue Department City of Savannah Official Website.
Zoning
Savannah’s STVR ordinance is codified in Chapter 11 of the city code and applies in areas of greatest tourist impact, including the Downtown, Victorian, and Streetcar historic districts. A 20% per-ward cap on non-owner-occupied STRs applies in the Downtown and Victorian districts City of Savannah Official Website.
Taxes and Remittance
STR operators must collect an 8% city hotel/motel tax, a $5/night state hotel-motel fee, and a 4% Georgia state sales tax. Airbnb and similar platforms collect and remit these taxes on behalf of hosts. The city tax does not apply to stays over 30 days or certain government guests City of Savannah Ordinance.
Enforcement and Recent Actions
Savannah has shifted to proactive enforcement, using Rentalscape software to detect unpermitted STRs. Fines start at $500 and escalate for repeat violations. Over 100 code violations have been issued since 2020, with city leaders considering even higher penalties WJCL News.
Recent Changes and Pending Legislation
The city increased its hotel/motel tax to 8% in September 2023. In 2025, Savannah adopted Rentalscape for enforcement and is considering further penalty increases. No statewide preemption exists; local rules remain in flux Georgia Public Broadcasting.
Comparable Markets
- Tybee Island, GA — Consider if you want a nearby market with stricter STR caps and a beach focus.
- Charleston, SC — Consider for a historic city with heavy STR zoning and enforcement.
- Atlanta, GA — Consider for a large metro with evolving STR rules and higher permit costs.
- Hilton Head, SC — Consider for a resort market with robust STR demand and layered regulations.
Sources
- City of Savannah Official Website: https://www.savannahga.gov/1476/Short-Term-Vacation-Rentals
- City of Savannah Official Website: https://www.savannahga.gov/1587/Business-License
- City of Savannah Official Website: https://www.savannahga.gov/2327/STVR-Regulations
- City of Savannah Code of Ordinances: https://online.encodeplus.com/regs/savannah-ga/doc-viewer.aspx?secid=3517
- City of Savannah Ordinance (Article E, Hotel/Motel Tax): https://online.encodeplus.com/regs/savannah-ga/doclibrary.aspx?id=bc99acbf-2fd7-41e9-831d-a3caa7c0c248
- Development Standards | Savannah, GA – Official Website: https://www.savannahga.gov/2903/Development-Standards
- Airbnb Help Center: https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/2745
- Georgia Public Broadcasting: https://www.gpb.org/news/2023/05/30/we-are-tourist-city-savannah-increases-hotelmotel-tax-for-first-time-in-nearly
- How to Get a Business License in Savannah, Georgia | Start a Business in Georgia: https://howtostartabusinessgeorgia.com/local/savannah-business-license/
- WJCL News: https://www.wjcl.com/article/savannah-mayor-crack-down-stvr/46050213
- Checkmate Rentals Blog: https://www.checkmaterentals.com/blog/georgia-short-term-rental-laws
- realestateinsavannah.net: https://realestateinsavannah.net/short-term-vacation-rentals-in-savannah/
- RedAwning: Georgia Airbnb and Short Term Rental Regulations (2025 Update): https://www.redawning.com/pm/post/georgia-short-term-rental-laws
- Home Team Luxury Rentals: https://hometeamluxuryrentals.com/blog/georgia-short-term-rental-regulations
This page is research, not legal advice. Consult local counsel before acquiring or operating a short-term rental in City of Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia.
Ready to evaluate Savannah as an STR market?
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