What should Augusta hosts know about no specific str permit exists?

No specific STR permit exists, but the city debated and rejected a strict ordinance in 2022-2023.

What are the permit fees in Augusta?

A $5.00 per night State of Georgia Hotel-Motel Fee applies to every booking in addition to the 14.5% total tax rate.

What should Augusta hosts know about the 'augusta rule' (internal revenue?

The 'Augusta Rule' (Internal Revenue Code Section 280A(g)) allows for 14 days of federal tax-free rental income, but local hotel-motel taxes still apply to those stays.

What should Augusta hosts know about total sales tax in richmond?

Total sales tax in Richmond County is 8.5% (4% state + 4.5% local/TSPLOST/SPLOST).

Augusta

Moderate

GeorgiaUpdated Mar 21, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

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

Verified Feb 7, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

Augusta-Richmond County currently does not have a dedicated short-term rental ordinance or permit, though hosts must obtain a general business license and pay hotel-motel taxes.

Restriction level

Severity 11

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Standard permit fee: $150
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement
Tenants can host

In plain English

What this means for you

There is no specific 'Airbnb permit' in Augusta, but you are required to get a regular business license and register to pay taxes. You must collect a 6% local hotel tax plus the state's $5 per night fee, in addition to standard sales taxes.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$150

Processing time2-4 weeks

Max fine$1,000

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1No specific STR permit exists, but the city debated and rejected a strict ordinance in 2022-2023.
2A $5.00 per night State of Georgia Hotel-Motel Fee applies to every booking in addition to the 14.5% total tax rate.
3The 'Augusta Rule' (Internal Revenue Code Section 280A(g)) allows for 14 days of federal tax-free rental income, but local hotel-motel taxes still apply to those stays.
4Total sales tax in Richmond County is 8.5% (4% state + 4.5% local/TSPLOST/SPLOST).

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility6 rules

Augusta allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family, Condo, Townhouse, Apartment.
Augusta: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Augusta does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.

Requirements10 rules

Augusta: No specific STR permit exists, but the city debated and rejected a strict ordinance in 2022-2023.
Augusta STR warning: Total sales tax in Richmond County is 8.5% (4% state + 4.5% local/TSPLOST/SPLOST).
Augusta does not require liability insurance for STR hosts, but it is strongly recommended.

Application process7 rules

Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in Augusta: Step 1: Obtain Business Tax Certificate - Apply for a general business license (Occupational Tax Certificate) through the Planning & Development Department. For home-based businesses, a specific application for a home office may be required. Documents needed: Photo ID, Business description, Property owner permission (if applicable). Estimated time: 2 weeks. Cost: 150. More info: https://www.augustaga.gov/285/Business-License Step 2: Register for Georgia State Sales Tax - Register with the Georgia Department of Revenue to obtain a Sales and Use Tax Certificate of Registration. This is required to collect the 4% state and 4.5% local sales taxes. Documents needed: SSN or EIN, Business name. Estimated time: 1 week. More info: https://gtc.dor.ga.gov/ Step 3: Register for Hotel-Motel Excise Tax - File a Hotel-Motel Tax registration with the Augusta Finance Department. This allows you to remit the 6% local lodging tax monthly. Documents needed: Business Tax Certificate number. Estimated time: 1 week. More info: https://www.augustaga.gov/658/Hotel-Motel-Tax

Fees & costs1 rule

Augusta charges a registration fee of $150 (one_time).

Taxes4 rules

Augusta charges a Hotel-Motel Excise Tax of 0.06%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Marketplace facilitators (Airbnb/VRBO) are required to collect and remit the 6% tax and the $5/night state fee if they meet the state's economic nexus threshold.
Augusta: Total sales tax in Richmond County is 8.5% (4% state + 4.5% local/TSPLOST/SPLOST).

Limits & restrictions4 rules

Augusta limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
Augusta enforces quiet hours: Subject to general noise ordinance.
Augusta: A $5.00 per night State of Georgia Hotel-Motel Fee applies to every booking in addition to the 14.5% total tax rate.
Augusta occupancy calculation: Subject to standard occupancy limits defined by fire and building codes.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.

Safety requirements1 rule

Augusta requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher.

Penalties2 rules

Augusta: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Augusta enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Varies by code violation. Maximum fine: 1000. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions2 rules

Augusta: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Augusta exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays.

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Augusta

0/3

steps completed

Step 1

Obtain Business Tax Certificate

Apply for a general business license (Occupational Tax Certificate) through the Planning & Development Department. For home-based businesses, a specific application for a home office may be required.

2 weeks$150

Documents needed

Photo ID
Business description
Property owner permission (if applicable)

Official resource

Step 2

Register for Georgia State Sales Tax

Register with the Georgia Department of Revenue to obtain a Sales and Use Tax Certificate of Registration. This is required to collect the 4% state and 4.5% local sales taxes.

1 weekFree

Documents needed

SSN or EIN
Business name

Official resource

Step 3

Register for Hotel-Motel Excise Tax

File a Hotel-Motel Tax registration with the Augusta Finance Department. This allows you to remit the 6% local lodging tax monthly.

1 weekFree

Documents needed

Business Tax Certificate number

Official resource

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

Augusta

Moderate

GeorgiaUpdated Mar 21, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

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

Verified Feb 7, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

Augusta-Richmond County currently does not have a dedicated short-term rental ordinance or permit, though hosts must obtain a general business license and pay hotel-motel taxes.

Restriction level

Severity 11

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Standard permit fee: $150
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement
Tenants can host

In plain English

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$150

Processing time2-4 weeks

Max fine$1,000

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1No specific STR permit exists, but the city debated and rejected a strict ordinance in 2022-2023.
2A $5.00 per night State of Georgia Hotel-Motel Fee applies to every booking in addition to the 14.5% total tax rate.
3The 'Augusta Rule' (Internal Revenue Code Section 280A(g)) allows for 14 days of federal tax-free rental income, but local hotel-motel taxes still apply to those stays.
4Total sales tax in Richmond County is 8.5% (4% state + 4.5% local/TSPLOST/SPLOST).

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility6 rules

Augusta allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family, Condo, Townhouse, Apartment.
Augusta: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Augusta does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.

Requirements10 rules

Augusta: No specific STR permit exists, but the city debated and rejected a strict ordinance in 2022-2023.
Augusta STR warning: Total sales tax in Richmond County is 8.5% (4% state + 4.5% local/TSPLOST/SPLOST).
Augusta does not require liability insurance for STR hosts, but it is strongly recommended.

Application process7 rules

Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in Augusta: Step 1: Obtain Business Tax Certificate - Apply for a general business license (Occupational Tax Certificate) through the Planning & Development Department. For home-based businesses, a specific application for a home office may be required. Documents needed: Photo ID, Business description, Property owner permission (if applicable). Estimated time: 2 weeks. Cost: 150. More info: https://www.augustaga.gov/285/Business-License Step 2: Register for Georgia State Sales Tax - Register with the Georgia Department of Revenue to obtain a Sales and Use Tax Certificate of Registration. This is required to collect the 4% state and 4.5% local sales taxes. Documents needed: SSN or EIN, Business name. Estimated time: 1 week. More info: https://gtc.dor.ga.gov/ Step 3: Register for Hotel-Motel Excise Tax - File a Hotel-Motel Tax registration with the Augusta Finance Department. This allows you to remit the 6% local lodging tax monthly. Documents needed: Business Tax Certificate number. Estimated time: 1 week. More info: https://www.augustaga.gov/658/Hotel-Motel-Tax

Fees & costs1 rule

Augusta charges a registration fee of $150 (one_time).

Taxes4 rules

Augusta charges a Hotel-Motel Excise Tax of 0.06%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Marketplace facilitators (Airbnb/VRBO) are required to collect and remit the 6% tax and the $5/night state fee if they meet the state's economic nexus threshold.
Augusta: Total sales tax in Richmond County is 8.5% (4% state + 4.5% local/TSPLOST/SPLOST).

Limits & restrictions4 rules

Augusta limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
Augusta enforces quiet hours: Subject to general noise ordinance.
Augusta: A $5.00 per night State of Georgia Hotel-Motel Fee applies to every booking in addition to the 14.5% total tax rate.
Augusta occupancy calculation: Subject to standard occupancy limits defined by fire and building codes.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.

Safety requirements1 rule

Augusta requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher.

Penalties2 rules

Augusta: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Augusta enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Varies by code violation. Maximum fine: 1000. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions2 rules

Augusta: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Augusta exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays.

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Augusta

0/3

steps completed

Step 1

Obtain Business Tax Certificate

Apply for a general business license (Occupational Tax Certificate) through the Planning & Development Department. For home-based businesses, a specific application for a home office may be required.

2 weeks$150

Documents needed

Photo ID
Business description
Property owner permission (if applicable)

Official resource

Step 2

Register for Georgia State Sales Tax

Register with the Georgia Department of Revenue to obtain a Sales and Use Tax Certificate of Registration. This is required to collect the 4% state and 4.5% local sales taxes.

1 weekFree

Documents needed

SSN or EIN
Business name

Official resource

Step 3

Register for Hotel-Motel Excise Tax

File a Hotel-Motel Tax registration with the Augusta Finance Department. This allows you to remit the 6% local lodging tax monthly.

1 weekFree

Documents needed

Business Tax Certificate number

Official resource

Frequently asked questions

4 answered

Disclaimer

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

4 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Obtain Business Tax Certificate

Register for Georgia State Sales Tax

Register for Hotel-Motel Excise Tax

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Augusta?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Augusta?

3Are there rental night limits in Augusta?

4What are the penalties for non-compliance in Augusta?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

4 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Obtain Business Tax Certificate

Register for Georgia State Sales Tax

Register for Hotel-Motel Excise Tax

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Augusta?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Augusta?

3Are there rental night limits in Augusta?

4What are the penalties for non-compliance in Augusta?

Disclaimer