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  1. Home
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  5. Georgia
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  7. Alpharetta

Alpharetta

Moderate
GeorgiaUpdated Mar 20, 2026
Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 0 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Feb 6, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

Alpharetta permits short-term rentals subject to a strict 5% neighborhood density cap and an annual $500 licensing requirement.

Restriction level

Severity 33
Classification
Moderate
33
Severity

Why this classification

  • High permit fee: $500
  • Tenants cannot host
  • Permit required
  • Reporting required
  • No night cap
  • No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

To operate an STR in Alpharetta, you must obtain both a city business license and a specific short-term rental permit. Your property must comply with a neighborhood limit that prevents more than 5% of homes in a subdivision from being rentals, and you cannot be immediately next door to another rental on the same street.

At a glance

Key numbers
Permit requiredYes
Night limitNone
Primary residenceNot required
Total tax rate0.2%
Permit fee$500
Processing time2-4 weeks
Max fine$1,000

5 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps
  1. 15% density cap per subdivision phase (hard limit)
  2. 2No rental unit may be 'immediately adjacent' to another rental on the same street
  3. 3Local contact person must be able to arrive on-site within 3 hours 24/7
  4. 4A $5.00 per night state hotel fee is required for all Georgia rentals
  5. 5Mandatory posting of license and rules inside the front door

Regulation details

Sourced from official code
Eligibility6 rules
  • Alpharetta: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
  • Alpharetta allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family, Condo, Townhouse, Apartment.
  • Alpharetta does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.
  • Alpharetta prohibits STRs in the following property types: Bed and Breakfast, Boarding House.
Requirements14 rules
  • Alpharetta: A fire inspection may be required before you can operate. Schedule early as this can delay your start date.
  • Alpharetta requires STR registration. The permit is called "Short-Term Rental License". Apply through Community Development. Processing time: 2-4 weeks. Renewal is required.
Application process8 rules
  • Alpharetta STR permit - Step 3: Submit Short-Term Rental License Application. Complete the STR license form, including local contact details and property floor plan. Requires a $500 non-refundable fee. Required documents: Proof of Ownership, Proof of Insurance, Floor Plan, HOA Affidavit. Time: 2-4 weeks. Cost: 500.
Fees & costs1 rule
  • Alpharetta charges a registration fee of $500 (annual).
Taxes2 rules
  • Georgia has a state sales tax of 0.04% that applies to STR rentals.
  • Alpharetta charges a Hotel-Motel Tax of 0.08%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Major platforms collect 8% city tax and state sales tax.
Limits & restrictions5 rules
  • Alpharetta: 5% density cap per subdivision phase (hard limit)
  • Alpharetta limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
  • Alpharetta: A $5.00 per night state hotel fee is required for all Georgia rentals
  • Alpharetta enforces quiet hours: 10pm-7am.
  • Alpharetta occupancy calculation: 2 adults per bedroom plus 2 additional adults. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Safety requirements1 rule
  • Alpharetta requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Fire extinguisher required on every floor, Egress must meet International Residential Code standards, Information notice posted adjacent to front door.
Penalties2 rules
  • Alpharetta: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
  • Alpharetta enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Varies by court; up to $1,000 fine. Second offense: Increased fines and possible license suspension. Third offense: License revocation. Maximum fine: 1000. Permit may be revoked for violations.
Exemptions2 rules
  • Alpharetta exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Hotels, Motels, Bed and Breakfasts.
  • Alpharetta: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Alpharetta

0/4
steps completed
Step 1

Verify Density and Zoning

Confirm the property is in a permitted zone and that the subdivision has not reached the 5% density cap (max 25 units per neighborhood).

1-3 daysFree
Official resource
Step 2

Obtain Occupational Tax Certificate

Apply for a standard city business license. Fees are based on expected number of employees (usually 1-4 for individual hosts).

1-2 weeks$200
Documents needed
  • Photo ID
  • Business Name Filing
Official resource
Step 3

Submit Short-Term Rental License Application

Complete the STR license form, including local contact details and property floor plan. Requires a $500 non-refundable fee.

2-4 weeks$500
Documents needed
  • Proof of Ownership
  • Proof of Insurance
  • Floor Plan
  • HOA Affidavit
Official resource
Step 4

Safety Inspection

City staff or fire marshal may conduct a safety inspection to verify fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and egress.

1 weekFree

Frequently asked questions

4 answered

Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched from public city/county codes for educational purposes. Details may be outdated or incomplete. Always verify requirements directly with your city/county planning department before operating a short-term rental.

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

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