What should Decatur hosts know about primary residence is strictly required?

Primary residence is strictly required via notarized affidavit

What are the key requirements for Decatur hosts?

Local manager must be able to travel to the property within one hour

What should Decatur hosts know about only one unit per building?

Only one unit per building can be used as an STR in multi-family structures

What should Decatur hosts know about outdoor amplified sound (except household?

Outdoor amplified sound (except household speakers) is strictly prohibited

What are the key requirements for Decatur hosts?

Registration requirements officially began in 2026

Decatur

Strict

GeorgiaUpdated Mar 29, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

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

Verified Feb 8, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

The City of Decatur requires an annual short-term rental permit, primary residency for hosts, and a local property manager available 24/7.

Restriction level

Severity 88

Classification

Strict

Severity

Why this classification

Primary residence required
Owner-occupied required
Limited to 1 property per owner
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap

In plain English

What this means for you

To host an STR in Decatur, you must live in the property as your primary residence and obtain a $125 annual permit. You are required to designate a local contact person who can respond to issues within one hour, and only one unit in a duplex or multi-family building can be used for short-term rentals.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceRequired

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$125

Processing time2-4 weeks

5 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Primary residence is strictly required via notarized affidavit
2Local manager must be able to travel to the property within one hour
3Only one unit per building can be used as an STR in multi-family structures
4Outdoor amplified sound (except household speakers) is strictly prohibited
5Registration requirements officially began in 2026

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility8 rules

Decatur does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.
Decatur: Outdoor amplified sound (except household speakers) is strictly prohibited
Decatur requires that the property be the host's primary residence. Primary residence is defined as: Owner must attest that the property is their primary residence via a notarized affidavit.

Requirements15 rules

Decatur STR warning: Outdoor amplified sound (except household speakers) is strictly prohibited
Decatur: Local manager must be able to travel to the property within one hour
Decatur: Only one unit per building can be used as an STR in multi-family structures
Decatur: A fire inspection may be required before you can operate. Schedule early as this can delay your start date.

Application process7 rules

Decatur STR permit - Step 4: Fire Marshal Inspection. Schedule and pass a safety inspection with the City Fire Marshal. Time: 1-2 weeks.
Decatur STR permit - Step 3: Public Notification Period. The city requires a 15-day public notification period following the application submission before a license is issued. Time: 15 days.

Fees & costs1 rule

Decatur charges a registration fee of $125 (annual).

Taxes2 rules

Decatur charges a Hotel-Motel Tax of 0.08%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and Vrbo collect and remit the local 8% tax and $5/night state fee.
Georgia has a state sales tax of 0.04% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & restrictions5 rules

Decatur limits STRs to a maximum of 10 guests. Formula: 2 per guest room + 2 additional people, not to exceed 10 total
Decatur: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.
Decatur limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.

Safety requirements1 rule

Decatur requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Signage for pools/spas, Screened refuse and recycling storage, No amplified outdoor sound.

Penalties2 rules

Decatur enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Varies by code enforcement citation. Second offense: Possible permit suspension. Third offense: Permit revocation for 12 months. Permit may be revoked for violations.
Decatur: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions2 rules

Decatur exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays.
Decatur: 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 Decatur

0/4

steps completed

Step 1

Gather Documentation

Prepare the Primary Residence Affidavit, Local Manager form, and HOA approval letter.

1 weekFree

Documents needed

Notarized Affidavit
HOA Approval

Official resource

Step 2

Online Application Submission

Submit the digital application through the City of Decatur permitting portal.

1 day$125

Documents needed

All gathered forms
Proof of Insurance

Official resource

Step 3

Public Notification Period

The city requires a 15-day public notification period following the application submission before a license is issued.

15 daysFree

Step 4

Fire Marshal Inspection

Schedule and pass a safety inspection with the City Fire Marshal.

1-2 weeksFree

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

Decatur

Strict

GeorgiaUpdated Mar 29, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

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

Verified Feb 8, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

The City of Decatur requires an annual short-term rental permit, primary residency for hosts, and a local property manager available 24/7.

Restriction level

Severity 88

Classification

Strict

Severity

Why this classification

Primary residence required
Owner-occupied required
Limited to 1 property per owner
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap

In plain English

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceRequired

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$125

Processing time2-4 weeks

5 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Primary residence is strictly required via notarized affidavit
2Local manager must be able to travel to the property within one hour
3Only one unit per building can be used as an STR in multi-family structures
4Outdoor amplified sound (except household speakers) is strictly prohibited
5Registration requirements officially began in 2026

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility8 rules

Decatur does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.
Decatur: Outdoor amplified sound (except household speakers) is strictly prohibited
Decatur requires that the property be the host's primary residence. Primary residence is defined as: Owner must attest that the property is their primary residence via a notarized affidavit.

Requirements15 rules

Decatur STR warning: Outdoor amplified sound (except household speakers) is strictly prohibited
Decatur: Local manager must be able to travel to the property within one hour
Decatur: Only one unit per building can be used as an STR in multi-family structures
Decatur: A fire inspection may be required before you can operate. Schedule early as this can delay your start date.

Application process7 rules

Decatur STR permit - Step 4: Fire Marshal Inspection. Schedule and pass a safety inspection with the City Fire Marshal. Time: 1-2 weeks.
Decatur STR permit - Step 3: Public Notification Period. The city requires a 15-day public notification period following the application submission before a license is issued. Time: 15 days.

Fees & costs1 rule

Decatur charges a registration fee of $125 (annual).

Taxes2 rules

Decatur charges a Hotel-Motel Tax of 0.08%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and Vrbo collect and remit the local 8% tax and $5/night state fee.
Georgia has a state sales tax of 0.04% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & restrictions5 rules

Decatur limits STRs to a maximum of 10 guests. Formula: 2 per guest room + 2 additional people, not to exceed 10 total
Decatur: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.
Decatur limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.

Safety requirements1 rule

Decatur requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Signage for pools/spas, Screened refuse and recycling storage, No amplified outdoor sound.

Penalties2 rules

Decatur enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Varies by code enforcement citation. Second offense: Possible permit suspension. Third offense: Permit revocation for 12 months. Permit may be revoked for violations.
Decatur: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions2 rules

Decatur exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays.
Decatur: 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 Decatur

0/4

steps completed

Step 1

Gather Documentation

Prepare the Primary Residence Affidavit, Local Manager form, and HOA approval letter.

1 weekFree

Documents needed

Notarized Affidavit
HOA Approval

Official resource

Step 2

Online Application Submission

Submit the digital application through the City of Decatur permitting portal.

1 day$125

Documents needed

All gathered forms
Proof of Insurance

Official resource

Step 3

Public Notification Period

The city requires a 15-day public notification period following the application submission before a license is issued.

15 daysFree

Step 4

Fire Marshal Inspection

Schedule and pass a safety inspection with the City Fire Marshal.

1-2 weeksFree

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

5 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Gather Documentation

Online Application Submission

Public Notification Period

Fire Marshal Inspection

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Decatur?

3Are there residency requirements for hosts in Decatur?

4What are the property management requirements in Decatur?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

5 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Gather Documentation

Online Application Submission

Public Notification Period

Fire Marshal Inspection

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Decatur?

3Are there residency requirements for hosts in Decatur?

4What are the property management requirements in Decatur?

Disclaimer