Tybee Island Short-Term Rental Regulations

Last verified: 2026-04-07
TL;DR
Tybee Island requires STR Certificate ($200 + $10-$20 per person based on occupancy) with no primary-residence requirement. Combined tax rate is 14% + $5/night (4% state + 3% county + 7% city). No annual day limit.
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 — STR Certificate ($200 + $10-$20 per person based on occupancy)
Primary Residence ✗ Not required
Annual Day Limit No limit
Tax Rate 14% + $5/night (4% state + 3% county + 7% city)
Max Penalty $1,000 per violation
Insurance ✓ Required

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

Permit & Licensing

STR Certificate

FeeAmount
Initial cost$200 + $10-$20 per person based on occupancy
Renewal$200 + $10-$20 per person based on occupancy

This permit type does not require primary residence.

Application Process

Online application via city portal. Must complete New/Renewal STR Application and Occupational Tax Certificate Application or Exemption Form. Property zoning verification required.

Tax Obligations

TaxRateAuthority
Tybee Island Room Excise Tax 7% City of Tybee Island
Georgia State Sales Tax 4% Georgia Department of Revenue
Chatham County Local Option Sales Tax 3% Chatham County
Georgia State Hotel-Motel Fee $5/night Georgia Department of Revenue

Combined rate: 14% + $5/night of gross rental income.

Collection: Self-remit. STR operators must submit monthly room tax returns to City Finance Department by the 20th of each month.

Filing: Monthly. Due by the 20th of the following month. Returns required even if no taxes are due.

Rental Limits

Tybee Island does not impose an annual cap on the number of nights you can rent.

Occupancy & Density Limits

Two adults per bedroom plus two additional adults for the dwelling

Zoning & Restrictions

New STR certificates prohibited in R-1, R-1B, and R-2 zoning districts. Allowed in other zones.

Insurance & Safety

Insurance

Liability insurance is required for the property's use as a short-term rental. No minimum amount specified; proof of liability coverage required with STR disclosure.

Safety & Operating Requirements

Penalties for Non-Compliance

$50 for operating without license (Sec. 34-29). $100 for missing location ID number (Sec. 34-265). Up to $1,000 under general penalty provision. Delinquency adds $20 + $10/citation.

Market Snapshot

Demand context for Tybee Island from official government and tourism statistics — the latest published annual figures, not a projection of rental income.

MetricValueSource
Population (2025 est.) 3,156 (+1.6% since 2020) U.S. Census Bureau

Major annual events: Tybee Island Pirate Fest (Second weekend of October) · Tybee Beach Bum Parade (Third Friday of May) · Tybee Island Labor Day Beach Bash (Early September) · Tybee Island Restaurant Week (August)

Figures are the latest annual statistics published by the linked official sources (retrieved 2026-07-13). Visitor counts cover the geography stated by each source, which can be wider than the city itself. Regulations above — not market conditions — determine whether and how you may operate.

Compliance Checklist

Follow these steps to legally operate a short-term rental in Tybee Island:

  1. Meet safety requirements. Compliance with Beach Rules Ordinance. Compliance with Noise Ordinance. Compliance with Trash Ordinance. Compliance with Disorderly House Nuisance Ordinance.
  2. Obtain liability insurance. Required for property's use as a short-term rental.
  3. Apply for STR Certificate. Submit application + $200 + $10-$20 per person based on occupancy fee.
  4. Register for tax accounts. Set up lodging tax accounts with City of Tybee Island Finance Department.
  5. Collect and remit taxes. 14% + $5/night on all bookings.
  6. Renew annually. $200 + $10-$20 per person based on occupancy renewal fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a permit to run an Airbnb in Tybee Island?
Yes. Operating a short-term rental — including an Airbnb or Vrbo — in Tybee Island requires a STR Certificate.
Does Tybee Island require a short-term rental to be your primary residence?
No. Tybee Island 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 Tybee Island?
Tybee Island 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 Tybee Island?
Short-term rental stays in Tybee Island are subject to a combined 14% + $5/night in lodging taxes. This combines 7% Tybee Island Room Excise Tax + 4% Georgia State Sales Tax + 3% Chatham County Local Option Sales Tax + $5/night Georgia State Hotel-Motel Fee. The host is responsible for collecting and remitting them.
What are the penalties for short-term rental violations in Tybee Island?
Penalties run up to $1,000.

Official Sources

  1. Short Term Rentals | Tybee Island, GA
  2. Code of Ordinances | Tybee Island, GA - Municode Library
  3. Taxes | Tybee Island, GA
  4. State Hotel-Motel Fee | Georgia Department of Revenue
  5. FAQs - Short Term Rentals | Tybee Island, GA
  6. Chapter 43 - CIVIL PENALTIES | Tybee Island, GA
  7. City of Tybee Island Short Term Rental Application 2025