What should Rome hosts know about high local occupancy tax of?

High local occupancy tax of 8%, which is among the highest allowed in Georgia.

What are the permit fees in Rome?

State of Georgia mandates an additional $5 per night 'Transportation' fee for all lodging stays.

What should Rome hosts know about no specific str ordinance means?

No specific STR ordinance means regulations are subject to interpretation of general business and hotel codes.

What zoning rules apply to STRs in Rome?

Properties in purely residential zones (R-1, R-2) may face significant hurdles or require a public hearing for a Special Use Permit.

Rome

Permissive

GeorgiaUpdated Mar 22, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

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

Verified Feb 12, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

Rome, GA does not have a specific short-term rental ordinance; instead, STRs are regulated under general business licensing and a local 8% hotel/motel tax.

Restriction level

Severity 0

Classification

Permissive

Severity

Why this classification

Standard permit fee: $150
Permit required
Reporting required
Safety standards required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

To operate an STR in Rome, you must obtain a general City Business License (Occupational Tax Certificate) and register to collect the 8% hotel/motel tax. Because there is no specific STR ordinance, you must verify your zoning with the Planning Department, as residential areas may require a Special Use Permit. You are also responsible for the $5 per night Georgia state hotel-motel fee and standard state/local 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

1High local occupancy tax of 8%, which is among the highest allowed in Georgia.
2State of Georgia mandates an additional $5 per night 'Transportation' fee for all lodging stays.
3No specific STR ordinance means regulations are subject to interpretation of general business and hotel codes.
4Properties in purely residential zones (R-1, R-2) may face significant hurdles or require a public hearing for a Special Use Permit.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility4 rules

Rome: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Rome allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family, Condo, Townhouse, Multi-family.
Rome does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
Rome: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.

Requirements10 rules

Rome STR warning: High local occupancy tax of 8%, which is among the highest allowed in Georgia.
Rome STR warning: Properties in purely residential zones (R-1, R-2) may face significant hurdles or require a public hearing for a Special Use Permit.
Rome STR warning: State of Georgia mandates an additional $5 per night 'Transportation' fee for all lodging stays.

Application process7 rules

Rome STR permit - Step 1: Zoning Verification. Contact the Rome-Floyd County Planning Department at (706) 236-5025 to verify if your property's zoning allows for short-term lodging or if a Special Use Permit (SUP) is required. Required documents: Property Address, Zoning Verification Form. Time: 1 week. Cost: 25.

Fees & costs1 rule

Rome charges a registration fee of $150 (annual).

Taxes3 rules

Rome: High local occupancy tax of 8%, which is among the highest allowed in Georgia.
Rome 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 generally collect and remit the 8% tax; however, hosts must still register with the City Clerk.
Georgia has a state sales tax of 0.04% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & restrictions4 rules

Rome occupancy calculation: Based on fire code occupancy limits. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Rome enforces quiet hours: 11:00 PM - 7:00 AM.
Rome limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
Rome: State of Georgia mandates an additional $5 per night 'Transportation' fee for all lodging stays.

Safety requirements1 rule

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

Penalties3 rules

Rome: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Rome: Serious or repeated STR violations can result in criminal charges, not just fines.
Rome enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Varies by code section. Maximum fine: 1000. Permit may be revoked for violations. Criminal penalties may apply.

Exemptions2 rules

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

0/3

steps completed

Step 1

Zoning Verification

Contact the Rome-Floyd County Planning Department at (706) 236-5025 to verify if your property's zoning allows for short-term lodging or if a Special Use Permit (SUP) is required.

1 week$25

Documents needed

Property Address
Zoning Verification Form

Official resource

Step 2

Obtain Occupational Tax Certificate

Apply for a City of Rome business license through the City Clerk's Office. This acts as your official operating permit.

2-3 weeks$150

Documents needed

Business License Application
E-Verify Affidavit
Proof of Identity

Official resource

Step 3

Register for Hotel/Motel Tax

Register with the City Clerk's Office to collect and remit the 8% Hotel/Motel tax. Monthly reports are due by the 20th of each month.

1 weekFree

Documents needed

Hotel/Motel Registration Form

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

Rome

Permissive

GeorgiaUpdated Mar 22, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

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

Verified Feb 12, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

Rome, GA does not have a specific short-term rental ordinance; instead, STRs are regulated under general business licensing and a local 8% hotel/motel tax.

Restriction level

Severity 0

Classification

Permissive

Severity

Why this classification

Standard permit fee: $150
Permit required
Reporting required
Safety standards required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

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

1High local occupancy tax of 8%, which is among the highest allowed in Georgia.
2State of Georgia mandates an additional $5 per night 'Transportation' fee for all lodging stays.
3No specific STR ordinance means regulations are subject to interpretation of general business and hotel codes.
4Properties in purely residential zones (R-1, R-2) may face significant hurdles or require a public hearing for a Special Use Permit.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility4 rules

Rome: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Rome allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family, Condo, Townhouse, Multi-family.
Rome does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
Rome: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.

Requirements10 rules

Rome STR warning: High local occupancy tax of 8%, which is among the highest allowed in Georgia.
Rome STR warning: Properties in purely residential zones (R-1, R-2) may face significant hurdles or require a public hearing for a Special Use Permit.
Rome STR warning: State of Georgia mandates an additional $5 per night 'Transportation' fee for all lodging stays.

Application process7 rules

Rome STR permit - Step 1: Zoning Verification. Contact the Rome-Floyd County Planning Department at (706) 236-5025 to verify if your property's zoning allows for short-term lodging or if a Special Use Permit (SUP) is required. Required documents: Property Address, Zoning Verification Form. Time: 1 week. Cost: 25.

Fees & costs1 rule

Rome charges a registration fee of $150 (annual).

Taxes3 rules

Rome: High local occupancy tax of 8%, which is among the highest allowed in Georgia.
Rome 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 generally collect and remit the 8% tax; however, hosts must still register with the City Clerk.
Georgia has a state sales tax of 0.04% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & restrictions4 rules

Rome occupancy calculation: Based on fire code occupancy limits. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Rome enforces quiet hours: 11:00 PM - 7:00 AM.
Rome limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
Rome: State of Georgia mandates an additional $5 per night 'Transportation' fee for all lodging stays.

Safety requirements1 rule

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

Penalties3 rules

Rome: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Rome: Serious or repeated STR violations can result in criminal charges, not just fines.
Rome enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Varies by code section. Maximum fine: 1000. Permit may be revoked for violations. Criminal penalties may apply.

Exemptions2 rules

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

0/3

steps completed

Step 1

Zoning Verification

Contact the Rome-Floyd County Planning Department at (706) 236-5025 to verify if your property's zoning allows for short-term lodging or if a Special Use Permit (SUP) is required.

1 week$25

Documents needed

Property Address
Zoning Verification Form

Official resource

Step 2

Obtain Occupational Tax Certificate

Apply for a City of Rome business license through the City Clerk's Office. This acts as your official operating permit.

2-3 weeks$150

Documents needed

Business License Application
E-Verify Affidavit
Proof of Identity

Official resource

Step 3

Register for Hotel/Motel Tax

Register with the City Clerk's Office to collect and remit the 8% Hotel/Motel tax. Monthly reports are due by the 20th of each month.

1 weekFree

Documents needed

Hotel/Motel Registration Form

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

Zoning Verification

Obtain Occupational Tax Certificate

Register for Hotel/Motel Tax

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Rome?

3Are there rental night limits in Rome?

4What are the zoning requirements in Rome?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

4 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Zoning Verification

Obtain Occupational Tax Certificate

Register for Hotel/Motel Tax

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Rome?

3Are there rental night limits in Rome?

4What are the zoning requirements in Rome?

Disclaimer