Critical Finding
See whether the property can operate now, what blocks it, and which exception may apply.
Local guide
Tybee Island Short-Term Rental Laws
Check Tybee Island STR legality, zoning, permits, documents, taxes, operating rules, renewal, and official application sources.
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- 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.
Legal Status
A City short-term rental certificate is required for eligible properties, with annual renewal and occupational tax compliance. For Tybee Island Short-Term Rental Laws, apply this page-specific condition: Confirm whether the property qualifies for a certificate or an applicable exemption; primary residence alone does not remove the process. Confirm whether the property qualifies for a certificate or an applicable exemption; primary residence alone does not remove the process.
Tybee Island defines an STR as lodging rented to transient guests for fewer than 30 consecutive days.
Do not operate without an active certificate or documented exemption. For Tybee Island Short-Term Rental Laws, apply this page-specific condition: Confirm whether the property qualifies for a certificate or an applicable exemption; primary residence alone does not remove the process. Confirm whether the property qualifies for a certificate or an applicable exemption; primary residence alone does not remove the process.
Tybee Island Rules at a Glance
- Jurisdiction
- City of Tybee Island
- Required approval
- Tybee Island STR Certificate
- Government fee
- The regulatory fee is $200 plus an occupancy charge: $10 per person for capacity 1–5, $15 per person for 6–10, and $20 per person above 10. A $135 Occupational Tax Certificate is required unless a City exemption applies. For Tybee Island Short-Term Rental Laws, apply this page-specific condition: Do not operate without an active certificate or documented exemption. The regulatory fee is $200 plus an occupancy charge: $10 per person for capacity 1–5, $15 per person for 6–10, and $20 per person above 10. A $135 Occupational Tax Certificate is required unless a City exemption applies.
- Term / renewal
- The certificate follows the calendar-year renewal cycle.
- Primary residence
- Confirm whether the property qualifies for a certificate or an applicable exemption; primary residence alone does not remove the process. For Tybee Island Short-Term Rental Laws, apply this page-specific condition: Do not operate without an active certificate or documented exemption. The regulatory fee is $200 plus an occupancy charge: $10 per person for capacity 1–5, $15 per person for 6–10, and $20 per person above 10. A $135 Occupational Tax Certificate is required unless a City exemption applies. For Tybee Island Short-Term Rental Laws, apply this page-specific condition: Do not operate without an active certificate or documented exemption. The regulatory fee is $200 plus an occupancy charge: $10 per person for capacity 1–5, $15 per person for 6–10, and $20 per person above 10. A $135 Occupational Tax Certificate is required unless a City exemption applies.
- Inspection
- Complete the property, occupancy, and safety information requested in the current application and maintain compliance with the listed City ordinances.
Occupancy, Sign & Filing Details
- Maximum occupancy
- Two adults per bedroom plus two
- One- or two-family sign
- 18×24 to 24×24 inches, visible from the street
- Room-tax return
- Monthly, including zero and platform-collected months
Eligibility & Zoning
New STR certificates are not issued in R-1, R-1B, or R-2 zoning districts; verify the parcel district before applying. For Tybee Island Short-Term Rental Laws, apply this page-specific condition: Confirm whether the property qualifies for a certificate or an applicable exemption; primary residence alone does not remove the process. Confirm whether the property qualifies for a certificate or an applicable exemption; primary residence alone does not remove the process. For Tybee Island Short-Term Rental Laws, apply this page-specific condition: Do not operate without an active certificate or documented exemption. The regulatory fee is $200 plus an occupancy charge: $10 per person for capacity 1–5, $15 per person for 6–10, and $20 per person above 10. A $135 Occupational Tax Certificate is required unless a City exemption applies. For Tybee Island Short-Term Rental Laws, apply this page-specific condition: Do not operate without an active certificate or documented exemption. The regulatory fee is $200 plus an occupancy charge: $10 per person for capacity 1–5, $15 per person for 6–10, and $20 per person above 10. A $135 Occupational Tax Certificate is required unless a City exemption applies.
Confirm the government boundary
Verify the property is governed by Tybee Island.
RequiredApply the residence rule
Confirm whether the property qualifies for a certificate or an applicable exemption; primary residence alone does not remove the process. For Tybee Island Short-Term Rental Laws, apply this page-specific condition: Confirm whether the property qualifies for a certificate or an applicable exemption; primary residence alone does not remove the process. Confirm whether the property qualifies for a certificate or an applicable exemption; primary residence alone does not remove the process. For Tybee Island Short-Term Rental Laws, apply this page-specific condition: Do not operate without an active certificate or documented exemption. The regulatory fee is $200 plus an occupancy charge: $10 per person for capacity 1–5, $15 per person for 6–10, and $20 per person above 10. A $135 Occupational Tax Certificate is required unless a City exemption applies. For Tybee Island Short-Term Rental Laws, apply this page-specific condition: Do not operate without an active certificate or documented exemption. The regulatory fee is $200 plus an occupancy charge: $10 per person for capacity 1–5, $15 per person for 6–10, and $20 per person above 10. A $135 Occupational Tax Certificate is required unless a City exemption applies.
RequiredCheck parcel and property eligibility
New STR certificates are not issued in R-1, R-1B, or R-2 zoning districts; verify the parcel district before applying. For Tybee Island Short-Term Rental Laws, apply this page-specific condition: Confirm whether the property qualifies for a certificate or an applicable exemption; primary residence alone does not remove the process. Confirm whether the property qualifies for a certificate or an applicable exemption; primary residence alone does not remove the process. For Tybee Island Short-Term Rental Laws, apply this page-specific condition: Do not operate without an active certificate or documented exemption. The regulatory fee is $200 plus an occupancy charge: $10 per person for capacity 1–5, $15 per person for 6–10, and $20 per person above 10. A $135 Occupational Tax Certificate is required unless a City exemption applies. For Tybee Island Short-Term Rental Laws, apply this page-specific condition: Do not operate without an active certificate or documented exemption. The regulatory fee is $200 plus an occupancy charge: $10 per person for capacity 1–5, $15 per person for 6–10, and $20 per person above 10. A $135 Occupational Tax Certificate is required unless a City exemption applies.
Required
Tybee Island STR Certificate Overview
Tybee Island's working sequence starts with Tybee Island STR Certificate. Do not operate without an active certificate or documented exemption. Complete property, ownership, and parcel-identification information. The linked task page narrows the submission result and correction path for this approval.
Confirm certificate or exemption status
Tybee Island's working sequence starts with Tybee Island STR Certificate. Do not operate without an active certificate or documented exemption. Complete property, ownership, and parcel-identification information. The linked task page narrows the submission result and correction path for this approval.
Prepare property and agent records
Tybee Island's working sequence starts with Tybee Island STR Certificate. Do not operate without an active certificate or documented exemption. Complete property, ownership, and parcel-identification information. The linked task page narrows the submission result and correction path for this approval.
Apply through the City portal
Complete the current certificate and occupational-tax steps.
Record the annual renewal window
Tybee Island's working sequence starts with Tybee Island STR Certificate. Do not operate without an active certificate or documented exemption. Complete property, ownership, and parcel-identification information. The linked task page narrows the submission result and correction path for this approval.
Tybee Island STR Certificate
Prerequisites, documents, application steps, verification, and renewal.
Documents to Prepare
Complete property, ownership, and parcel-identification information
Prepare current evidence for complete property, ownership, and parcel-identification information and verify that names, addresses, and property identifiers match the application.
RequiredManagement-company authorization letter when an agent applies
Prepare current evidence for management-company authorization letter when an agent applies and verify that names, addresses, and property identifiers match the application.
RequiredOccupancy, safety, and 24/7 complaint-contact details
Prepare current evidence for occupancy, safety, and 24/7 complaint-contact details and verify that names, addresses, and property identifiers match the application.
RequiredOccupational Tax Certificate application or exemption form
Prepare current evidence for occupational tax certificate application or exemption form and verify that names, addresses, and property identifiers match the application.
RequiredGeorgia and 7% Tybee room-tax filing records
Prepare current evidence for georgia and 7% tybee room-tax filing records and verify that names, addresses, and property identifiers match the application.
Required
Operating Rules After Approval
Display the certificate number.
Document how the property complies with display the certificate number. and retain the supporting record for renewal or inspection. For Tybee Island Short-Term Rental Laws, apply this page-specific condition: Complete the property, occupancy, and safety information requested in the current application and maintain compliance with the listed City ordinances. Maintain the required owner, management-company, and after-hours complaint contacts and update the City when management changes.
RequiredLimit maximum occupancy to two adults per bedroom plus two additional occupants.
Document how the property complies with limit maximum occupancy to two adults per bedroom plus two additional occupants. and retain the supporting record for renewal or inspection.
RequiredPost the required exterior or common-area contact sign and follow parking, noise, and waste rules.
Document how the property complies with post the required exterior or common-area contact sign and follow parking, noise, and waste 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 Tybee Island Short-Term Rental Laws, apply this page-specific condition: Complete the property, occupancy, and safety information requested in the current application and maintain compliance with the listed City ordinances. Maintain the required owner, management-company, and after-hours complaint contacts and update the City when management changes.
Warning
Taxes, Renewal & Enforcement
- Tax layer
- Tybee Island requires a 7% local Occupational Room Tax in addition to applicable Georgia requirements.
- Filing
- File the local room-tax return by the 20th of the following month, including a zero return when no tax is due, and reconcile marketplace collection.
- Renewal
- Renew annually. The City extended the 2026 deadline to May 31, 2026, so a 2026 renewal submitted now requires direct confirmation with the City. For Tybee Island Short-Term Rental Laws, apply this page-specific condition: Tybee Island requires a 7% local Occupational Room Tax in addition to applicable Georgia requirements. File the local room-tax return by the 20th of the following month, including a zero return when no tax is due, and reconcile marketplace collection.
- Deadline
- Do not operate without an active certificate or documented exemption. For Tybee Island Short-Term Rental Laws, apply this page-specific condition: Tybee Island requires a 7% local Occupational Room Tax in addition to applicable Georgia requirements. File the local room-tax return by the 20th of the following month, including a zero return when no tax is due, and reconcile marketplace collection.
- Enforcement
- Operating without an active certificate or violating zoning, occupancy, sign, tax, or complaint-response rules can lead to code enforcement and loss of the certificate.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Are short-term rentals legal in Tybee Island?
A City short-term rental certificate is required for eligible properties, with annual renewal and occupational tax compliance. The Tybee Island Short-Term Rental Laws answer also depends on this local rule: Tybee Island requires a 7% local Occupational Room Tax in addition to applicable Georgia requirements. File the local room-tax return by the 20th of the following month, including a zero return when no tax is due, and reconcile marketplace collection.
What approval is required in Tybee Island?
Tybee Island STR Certificate. Do not operate without an active certificate or documented exemption.
How much does the Tybee Island approval cost?
The regulatory fee is $200 plus an occupancy charge: $10 per person for capacity 1–5, $15 per person for 6–10, and $20 per person above 10. A $135 Occupational Tax Certificate is required unless a City exemption applies. The Tybee Island Short-Term Rental Laws answer also depends on this local rule: Tybee Island requires a 7% local Occupational Room Tax in addition to applicable Georgia requirements. File the local room-tax return by the 20th of the following month, including a zero return when no tax is due, and reconcile marketplace collection.
Does a platform collect every Tybee Island lodging tax?
Tybee Island requires a 7% local Occupational Room Tax in addition to applicable Georgia requirements. File the local room-tax return by the 20th of the following month, including a zero return when no tax is due, and reconcile marketplace collection.