Tybee Island Short-Term Rental Regulations

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Permit & Licensing

STR Certificate

Renewal: STR certificates are valid from January 1 through December 31 each year and must be renewed annually between Jan. 1, and March 31.

Application Process

To renew an existing STR certificate, you must complete the New/Renewal STR Application and an Occupational Tax Certificate (OTC) Application or Exemption Form. The Short-Term Rental Authorization Letter is required if you have changed management companies or are using a new management company. It is also required if someone other than the property owner is submitting the application on the owner’s behalf.

Tax Obligations

Collection: You will submit a tax return to the City with payment. I have a 3rd party vendor (AirBnb, Vrbo) pay my taxes, do I still need to complete a monthly room tax return? Yes, a monthly room tax return must be completed even if no taxes are due.

Filing: Short-term rentals are required to remit a 7% local Occupational Room tax to the City’s Finance Department by the 20th day of the following month. Monthly tax returns are required to be submitted even if no taxes are due.

Occupancy & Density Limits

Occupancy of any short-term rental property or unit shall be established in connection with the application for every short-term rental permit with the occupancy for overnight usage limited to two adults per bedroom plus two additional adults for the dwelling identified as existing on the property. Any person over the age of 15 years old will be considered an adult for purposes of this section.

Zoning & Restrictions

• No new permits are allowable in the R-1, R-1-B, and R-2 zones except as otherwise provided.
• For a property location that has been continuously in individual or joint ownership by natural person(s) for a period of at least five years and which has been homesteaded for purposes of any of the city ordinances (Tybee Code section 58-30 and/or 58-33), such owner, may elect, upon proper application and permitting, to operate as a STR and to include the property as an authorized STR for a period of up to three years.
• Further, an estate of a deceased owner who qualified as stated above regarding ownership and homestead may have a one-time opportunity within one year of the death of the decedent to make the election provided for herein to secure a STR permit for a period of three years.

Insurance

Liability insurance is required for the property's use as a short-term rental.

Compliance Checklist

1. Apply for the permit
   • Each applicant will pay a $200.00 base fee. Total Occupancy of one to five persons: $10.00 per person; Total Occupancy of six to 10 persons: $15.00 per person; Total Occupancy of more than 10 persons: $20.00 per person.
   • How to apply: To renew an existing STR certificate, you must complete the New/Renewal STR Application and an Occupational Tax Certificate (OTC) Application or Exemption Form. The Short-Term Rental Authorization Letter is required if you have changed management companies or are using a new management company. It is also required if someone other than the property owner is submitting the application on the owner’s behalf.
2. Register for tax
   • Occupational Room tax: register with City of Tybee Island
3. Collect and remit tax
   • Filing schedule: Short-term rentals are required to remit a 7% local Occupational Room tax to the City’s Finance Department by the 20th day of the following month. Monthly tax returns are required to be submitted even if no taxes are due.
   • How the tax is collected: You will submit a tax return to the City with payment. I have a 3rd party vendor (AirBnb, Vrbo) pay my taxes, do I still need to complete a monthly room tax return? Yes, a monthly room tax return must be completed even if no taxes are due.
4. Renew your permit
   • An application, initial or renewal, is valid when completed and filed along with payment of the application regulatory fee set forth below. The fee shall be due January 1 of each year for short-term rental purposes and, if not paid within 90 days thereof, shall be subject to the delinquency and penalty provisions of section 58-163, as applicable, to occupation tax/business license provisions as well as the revocation of any right to use the unit for short-term rental purposes until payment of the penalties and fee. In addition to the regulatory fee license as specified herein, the applicant shall also pay the required occupation tax each year. Every applicant will pay a $200.00 base fee. In addition to the base fee, each applicant will be responsible for an additional occupancy fee based upon the rental unit's occupancy.
   • Renewal period: STR certificates are valid from January 1 through December 31 each year and must be renewed annually between Jan. 1, and March 31.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a permit to run a short-term rental in Tybee Island?

Yes.

Permit: STR Certificate

How to apply: To renew an existing STR certificate, you must complete the New/Renewal STR Application and an Occupational Tax Certificate (OTC) Application or Exemption Form. The Short-Term Rental Authorization Letter is required if you have changed management companies or are using a new management company. It is also required if someone other than the property owner is submitting the application on the owner’s behalf.

How much does a short-term rental permit cost in Tybee Island?

Initial fee (STR Certificate): Each applicant will pay a $200.00 base fee. Total Occupancy of one to five persons: $10.00 per person; Total Occupancy of six to 10 persons: $15.00 per person; Total Occupancy of more than 10 persons: $20.00 per person.

Renewal fee (STR Certificate): An application, initial or renewal, is valid when completed and filed along with payment of the application regulatory fee set forth below. The fee shall be due January 1 of each year for short-term rental purposes and, if not paid within 90 days thereof, shall be subject to the delinquency and penalty provisions of section 58-163, as applicable, to occupation tax/business license provisions as well as the revocation of any right to use the unit for short-term rental purposes until payment of the penalties and fee. In addition to the regulatory fee license as specified herein, the applicant shall also pay the required occupation tax each year. Every applicant will pay a $200.00 base fee. In addition to the base fee, each applicant will be responsible for an additional occupancy fee based upon the rental unit's occupancy.

Renewal period (STR Certificate): STR certificates are valid from January 1 through December 31 each year and must be renewed annually between Jan. 1, and March 31.

What taxes do you pay on a short-term rental in Tybee Island?

Occupational Room tax: 7%

Filing schedule: Short-term rentals are required to remit a 7% local Occupational Room tax to the City’s Finance Department by the 20th day of the following month. Monthly tax returns are required to be submitted even if no taxes are due.

How the tax is collected: You will submit a tax return to the City with payment. I have a 3rd party vendor (AirBnb, Vrbo) pay my taxes, do I still need to complete a monthly room tax return? Yes, a monthly room tax return must be completed even if no taxes are due.