Blue Ridge Short-Term Rental Regulations

Last verified: 2026-07-02
TL;DR
Blue Ridge requires Short-Term Vacation Rental Certificate ($100.00) with no primary-residence requirement. Combined tax rate is 15% + $5/night. No annual day limit.
⚠ Before you rely on the summary
Short-term rentals are prohibited in many zoning districts here. Whether a specific property qualifies depends on its zone — confirm a property’s zoning allows STR before relying on the figures below.
Disclaimer
This information is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or regulatory advice. Short-term rental regulations change frequently. Always verify current requirements with your local government before listing your property or making investment decisions.
Key Requirements at a Glance
Permit ✓ Required — Short-Term Vacation Rental Certificate ($100.00)
Primary Residence Not required
Annual Day Limit No limit
Tax Rate 15% + $5/night
Max Penalty $250.00 per violation
Insurance Not required

New to short-term rentals? Jump to the compliance checklist →

Permit & Licensing

Short-Term Vacation Rental Certificate

FeeAmount
Initial cost$100.00
Renewal$100.00 / 1 year

This permit type does not require primary residence. Zoning restriction: Permitted only on properties zoned Central Business District (CBD).

Application Process

Submit a sworn Short-Term Vacation Rental Certificate application on the city form (with non-refundable application fee) to the Planning & Zoning department, including owner and 24-hour agent contact information, occupant agreement, proof of ownership, and proof of a visible 911-address sign. The city administrator reviews for code compliance and issues the certificate unless requirements are unmet.

Tax Obligations

TaxRateAuthority
Georgia State Sales Tax 4% Georgia Department of Revenue
Fannin County Local Option Sales Tax 3% Fannin County
City of Blue Ridge Hotel/Motel Excise Tax 8% City of Blue Ridge
Georgia State Hotel-Motel Fee $5.00 per night Georgia Department of Revenue

Combined rate: 15% + $5/night of gross rental income.

Collection: Marketplace facilitators such as Airbnb or VRBO may be contracted to remit monthly taxes, but the owner remains responsible for entering monthly tax reporting amounts; hosts also file the city hotel/motel tax return.

Filing: Monthly; hotel/motel tax return due by the 20th of each month for the previous month's rentals

Rental Limits

Blue Ridge does not impose an annual cap on the number of nights you can rent.

Occupancy & Density Limits

Owner-declared maximum occupancy as identified in the rental certificate application (same as advertised)

Zoning & Restrictions

Short-term vacation rentals permitted only on properties zoned Central Business District (CBD); prohibited in all other zoning districts

Insurance & Safety

Insurance

Blue Ridge does not require short-term rental operators to carry specific insurance. Standard homeowner policies often exclude short-term rental activity, so many hosts obtain dedicated short-term rental or landlord liability coverage. No minimum coverage amount specified.

Safety & Operating Requirements

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Operating without a valid rental certificate: minimum fine of $250.00 per occurrence (each occurrence a separate offense). Upon conviction of a violation the certificate may be revoked and all applications for the premises rejected for 12 consecutive months.

Platform Requirements

The certificate holder must identify the dwelling unit's current identification number on each monthly hotel/motel tax return and on any internet-based advertising or listing platform (e.g., VRBO, Airbnb, HomeAway).

Compliance Checklist

Follow these steps to legally operate a short-term rental in Blue Ridge:

  1. Meet safety requirements. Post a visible rental sign that includes the 911 address of the property. Designate a 24-hour local rental agent reachable by telephone within 24 hours to handle problems and accept notices of violation.
  2. Apply for Short-Term Vacation Rental Certificate. Submit application + $100.00 fee.
  3. Register for tax accounts. Set up lodging tax accounts with City of Blue Ridge (hotel/motel occupancy tax); Fannin County Lodging Department (county lodging tax); Georgia Department of Revenue (state hotel-motel fee).
  4. Collect and remit taxes. 15% + $5/night on all bookings.
  5. Renew annually. $100.00 renewal fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a permit to run an Airbnb in Blue Ridge?
Yes. Operating a short-term rental — including an Airbnb or Vrbo — in Blue Ridge requires a Short-Term Vacation Rental Certificate.
How much does a short-term rental permit cost in Blue Ridge?
A Short-Term Vacation Rental Certificate in Blue Ridge costs $100.00 per year.
Does Blue Ridge require a short-term rental to be your primary residence?
No. Blue Ridge allows non-owner-occupied short-term rentals, so investment properties can qualify provided you hold the required permit.
How many days a year can you short-term rent in Blue Ridge?
Blue Ridge does not cap the number of nights per year you can short-term rent, though permitting, zoning, and occupancy rules still apply.
What taxes do you pay on a short-term rental in Blue Ridge?
Short-term rental stays in Blue Ridge are subject to a combined 15% in lodging taxes. This combines 4% Georgia State Sales Tax + 3% Fannin County Local Option Sales Tax + 8% City of Blue Ridge Hotel/Motel Excise Tax + $5.00 per night Georgia State Hotel-Motel Fee. The host is responsible for collecting and remitting them.
What happens if you run a short-term rental without a permit in Blue Ridge?
Operating without a permit can cost up to $250.00.

Official Sources

  1. Short Term Rental Ordinance/ Business Regulations | Blue Ridge, GA
  2. Chapter 10, Article V. Short-Term Vacation Rentals | Code of Ordinances | Blue Ridge, GA
  3. Lodging Tax Info & Forms - Fannin County Georgia Government
  4. State Hotel-Motel - FAQ | Department of Revenue - Georgia.gov
  5. Hotel/Motel Excise Tax Rates and Revenue Report | Georgia Department of Community Affairs