Critical Finding
See whether the property can operate now, what blocks it, and which exception may apply.
Local guide
Savannah Short-Term Rental Laws
Check Savannah STR legality, zoning, permits, documents, taxes, operating rules, renewal, and official application sources.
- 100+ U.S. cities
- Official sources
- Address used only for local rules
Compliance layers
A Clear Answer, Then a Path Forward.
Address Context
Confirm zoning, current land use, jurisdiction, and the rules that actually govern the address.
Required Approvals
Get the permits, licenses, documents, inspections, and tax registrations needed before launch.
Recommended Path
Follow prioritized next steps, deadlines, renewal duties, and viable alternatives when rules change.
Occupancy tax calculator
Estimate occupancy tax in Savannah
Enter the nightly rate and stay length to estimate the lodging taxes and guest total for this jurisdiction.
- Gross rent$150.00 × 3 nights
- $450.00
- Georgia state use and sales tax on lodging (7%) $450.00 × 7%
- $31.50
- Savannah local hotel-motel tax (8%) $450.00 × 8%
- $36.00
- Estimated taxes and fees
- $67.50
Guest pays
Assumptions used
- Modeled lodging scope: Incorporated City of Savannah; the modeled ordinary STR scenario covers the first 30 nights, the 7% state use/sales line, the 8% local lodging line, and the $5 state fee.
What may change the final amount
- Georgia fixed fee and additional-charge treatment are outside the base estimate. The displayed estimate uses only the source-backed room-charge percentage lines. The separate $5 state hotel-motel fee, mandatory add-on classification, exemptions, and platform reconciliation are excluded and may increase, decrease, or otherwise change the result. This factor is excluded from the displayed estimate and may increase, decrease, or otherwise change the result; verify it with the cited official source before filing.
Estimated tax is $67.50. Estimated guest total is $517.50.
Estimate only. Verify the property jurisdiction, exemptions, taxable charges, filing duties, and marketplace collection with the linked official sources.
Legal Status
A Short-Term Vacation Rental certificate is required in eligible Savannah overlay areas before operation. For Savannah Short-Term Rental Laws, apply this page-specific condition: Primary residence is not a universal substitute for overlay and certificate eligibility. Primary residence is not a universal substitute for overlay and certificate eligibility.
Savannah defines an STVR as a residential dwelling offered for lodging for no more than 30 consecutive days, whether or not an on-site manager is present.
Obtain the certificate before advertising or operating.
Savannah Rules at a Glance
- Jurisdiction
- City of Savannah
- Required approval
- Savannah STVR Certificate
- Government fee
- The City lists a nonrefundable $400 new application fee and $250 annual renewal fee. For Savannah Short-Term Rental Laws, apply this page-specific condition: Obtain the certificate before advertising or operating. The City lists a nonrefundable $400 new application fee and $250 annual renewal fee.
- Term / renewal
- Renew the certificate annually.
- Primary residence
- Primary residence is not a universal substitute for overlay and certificate eligibility. For Savannah Short-Term Rental Laws, apply this page-specific condition: Obtain the certificate before advertising or operating. The City lists a nonrefundable $400 new application fee and $250 annual renewal fee. For Savannah Short-Term Rental Laws, apply this page-specific condition: Obtain the certificate before advertising or operating. The City lists a nonrefundable $400 new application fee and $250 annual renewal fee.
- Inspection
- Submit the sworn code-compliance verification and maintain life-safety and building-code compliance.
Certificate Issuance Sequence
Receive STVR application approval
The certificate cannot be issued until zoning and ordinance review is complete.
Obtain the Business Tax Certificate
After approval, obtain the BTC from Revenue and send a copy to Planning and Urban Design.
Receive and post the STVR certificate
Do not operate from an application receipt; wait for the certificate and post it inside the property.
Eligibility & Zoning
Confirm the property lies in the Downtown, Victorian, or Streetcar STVR overlay. New non-owner-occupied STVRs in certain Downtown and Victorian residential areas are subject to a 20% ward cap. For Savannah Short-Term Rental Laws, apply this page-specific condition: Primary residence is not a universal substitute for overlay and certificate eligibility. Primary residence is not a universal substitute for overlay and certificate eligibility. For Savannah Short-Term Rental Laws, apply this page-specific condition: Obtain the certificate before advertising or operating. The City lists a nonrefundable $400 new application fee and $250 annual renewal fee. For Savannah Short-Term Rental Laws, apply this page-specific condition: Obtain the certificate before advertising or operating. The City lists a nonrefundable $400 new application fee and $250 annual renewal fee.
Confirm the government boundary
Verify the property is governed by Savannah.
RequiredApply the residence rule
Primary residence is not a universal substitute for overlay and certificate eligibility. For Savannah Short-Term Rental Laws, apply this page-specific condition: Primary residence is not a universal substitute for overlay and certificate eligibility. Primary residence is not a universal substitute for overlay and certificate eligibility. For Savannah Short-Term Rental Laws, apply this page-specific condition: Obtain the certificate before advertising or operating. The City lists a nonrefundable $400 new application fee and $250 annual renewal fee. For Savannah Short-Term Rental Laws, apply this page-specific condition: Obtain the certificate before advertising or operating. The City lists a nonrefundable $400 new application fee and $250 annual renewal fee.
RequiredCheck parcel and property eligibility
Confirm the property lies in the Downtown, Victorian, or Streetcar STVR overlay. New non-owner-occupied STVRs in certain Downtown and Victorian residential areas are subject to a 20% ward cap. For Savannah Short-Term Rental Laws, apply this page-specific condition: Primary residence is not a universal substitute for overlay and certificate eligibility. Primary residence is not a universal substitute for overlay and certificate eligibility. For Savannah Short-Term Rental Laws, apply this page-specific condition: Obtain the certificate before advertising or operating. The City lists a nonrefundable $400 new application fee and $250 annual renewal fee. For Savannah Short-Term Rental Laws, apply this page-specific condition: Obtain the certificate before advertising or operating. The City lists a nonrefundable $400 new application fee and $250 annual renewal fee.
Required
Savannah STVR Certificate Overview
Savannah's working sequence starts with Savannah STVR Certificate. Obtain the certificate before advertising or operating. Property ownership and applicant records. The linked task page narrows the submission result and correction path for this approval.
Confirm overlay eligibility
Savannah's working sequence starts with Savannah STVR Certificate. Obtain the certificate before advertising or operating. Property ownership and applicant records. The linked task page narrows the submission result and correction path for this approval.
Prepare the certificate package
Savannah's working sequence starts with Savannah STVR Certificate. Obtain the certificate before advertising or operating. Property ownership and applicant records. The linked task page narrows the submission result and correction path for this approval.
Submit through the City portal
Savannah's working sequence starts with Savannah STVR Certificate. Obtain the certificate before advertising or operating. Property ownership and applicant records. The linked task page narrows the submission result and correction path for this approval.
Resolve review and renew annually
Savannah's working sequence starts with Savannah STVR Certificate. Obtain the certificate before advertising or operating. Property ownership and applicant records. The linked task page narrows the submission result and correction path for this approval.
Savannah STVR Certificate
Prerequisites, documents, application steps, verification, and renewal.
Documents to Prepare
Property ownership and applicant records
Prepare current evidence for property ownership and applicant records and verify that names, addresses, and property identifiers match the application. For Savannah Short-Term Rental Laws, apply this page-specific condition: Property ownership and applicant records. Primary residence is not a universal substitute for overlay and certificate eligibility. For Savannah Short-Term Rental Laws, apply this page-specific condition: Obtain the certificate before advertising or operating. The City lists a nonrefundable $400 new application fee and $250 annual renewal fee. For Savannah Short-Term Rental Laws, apply this page-specific condition: Obtain the certificate before advertising or operating. The City lists a nonrefundable $400 new application fee and $250 annual renewal fee.
RequiredSTVR overlay and any 20% ward-cap eligibility evidence
Prepare current evidence for stvr overlay and any 20% ward-cap eligibility evidence and verify that names, addresses, and property identifiers match the application.
RequiredSworn Code Compliance Verification Form and property safety information
Prepare current evidence for sworn code compliance verification form and property safety information and verify that names, addresses, and property identifiers match the application.
RequiredRental agent certification and local contact details
Prepare current evidence for rental agent certification and local contact details and verify that names, addresses, and property identifiers match the application.
RequiredWritten exemplar rental agreement and proof of insurance
Prepare current evidence for written exemplar rental agreement and proof of insurance and verify that names, addresses, and property identifiers match the application.
RequiredBusiness Tax Certificate and local and state tax accounts
Prepare current evidence for business tax certificate and local and state tax accounts and verify that names, addresses, and property identifiers match the application.
Required
Operating Rules After Approval
Publish the certificate number and exemplar rental agreement in every advertisement and listing.
Document how the property complies with publish the certificate number and exemplar rental agreement in every advertisement and listing. and retain the supporting record for renewal or inspection.
RequiredPost the issued certificate in a visible place inside the property and maintain the designated rental agent.
Document how the property complies with post the issued certificate in a visible place inside the property and maintain the designated rental agent. and retain the supporting record for renewal or inspection.
RequiredFollow occupancy, parking, noise, and refuse rules.
Document how the property complies with follow occupancy, parking, noise, and refuse rules. and retain the supporting record for renewal or inspection.
RequiredGovernment approval does not override private restrictions
Review leases, HOA covenants, condominium declarations, mortgages, and insurance separately. For Savannah Short-Term Rental Laws, apply this page-specific condition: Submit the sworn code-compliance verification and maintain life-safety and building-code compliance. Designate an adult rental agent who is reasonably available to handle problems and keep the agent record current in the portal.
Warning
Taxes, Renewal & Enforcement
- Tax layer
- Savannah lists an 8% local hotel-motel tax and 7% Georgia use and sales tax for covered STVR charges.
- Filing
- Savannah hotel-motel tax and Georgia sales-tax returns are due by the 20th day of the following month; account for marketplace collection separately.
- Renewal
- Renew annually and keep tax, contact, and certificate information current. For Savannah Short-Term Rental Laws, apply this page-specific condition: Savannah lists an 8% local hotel-motel tax and 7% Georgia use and sales tax for covered STVR charges. Savannah hotel-motel tax and Georgia sales-tax returns are due by the 20th day of the following month; account for marketplace collection separately.
- Deadline
- Obtain the certificate before advertising or operating.
- Enforcement
- Operating without the certificate, omitting the certificate number, failing to maintain the rental agent, or violating occupancy and code rules can lead to City code enforcement, suspension, or revocation.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Are short-term rentals legal in Savannah?
A Short-Term Vacation Rental certificate is required in eligible Savannah overlay areas before operation. The Savannah Short-Term Rental Laws answer also depends on this local rule: Savannah lists an 8% local hotel-motel tax and 7% Georgia use and sales tax for covered STVR charges. Savannah hotel-motel tax and Georgia sales-tax returns are due by the 20th day of the following month; account for marketplace collection separately.
What approval is required in Savannah?
Savannah STVR Certificate. Obtain the certificate before advertising or operating.
How much does the Savannah approval cost?
The City lists a nonrefundable $400 new application fee and $250 annual renewal fee. The Savannah Short-Term Rental Laws answer also depends on this local rule: Savannah lists an 8% local hotel-motel tax and 7% Georgia use and sales tax for covered STVR charges. Savannah hotel-motel tax and Georgia sales-tax returns are due by the 20th day of the following month; account for marketplace collection separately.
Does a platform collect every Savannah lodging tax?
Savannah lists an 8% local hotel-motel tax and 7% Georgia use and sales tax for covered STVR charges. Savannah hotel-motel tax and Georgia sales-tax returns are due by the 20th day of the following month; account for marketplace collection separately.