Glynn County short-term rental laws (2026)
Glynn County regulates short-term rentals across its unincorporated area, with Jekyll Island left out. The county ordinance has applied since July 1, 2021. Each rental also owes the county's accommodation excise tax.[1]
Every rule below links to the official source it comes from, verified October 1, 2026.
Is Airbnb legal in Glynn County?
Legal with a yearly certificate
Unincorporated Glynn County only. Jekyll Island stays outside the county ordinance.
7 official sources · verified October 1, 2026
Photo: Shaquille Campbell on Unsplash
- PermitRequired · $150 new, $100 each renewal
- Primary residenceNot required
- Number on listingRequired
- Night capNone in Chapter 2-31
Glynn County short-term rental certificate
Glynn County requires an Accommodation Excise Tax Certificate before a home in its unincorporated area is rented for 30 consecutive days at most. The first certificate costs $150. From July 1 to November 30, that fee drops to $75. A filing made from December 1 costs $175 and also covers the following year. Renewal is $100, due by the second Monday of December. The certificate number appears in every listing.[1]
Every Glynn County rule, sorted by what it asks
Filter by topic. Each line carries the number of its official source, listed at the bottom of the page.
You must
- Hold a certificate before you rent or advertise[1]
- Renew by the second Monday of December[1]
- Put the certificate number in every listing[1]
- Keep a local contact on call 24 hours a day[1]
- Reach the rental within two hours of a complaint[1]
- Post the certificate and the notice by the front door[1]
- Fit smoke and CO detectors in every bedroom[1]
- Keep a charged fire extinguisher in each unit[1]
- File and pay the 7% tax by the 20th of each month[5]
- Keep booking, income and tax records for three years[1]
You must not
What a new permit costs
County certificate fees set by Chapter 2-31, per rental
$150first application
- Certificate filed before July 1$150
What other cases cost
- Certificate filed July 1 to November 30$75
- Certificate filed from December 1, covering the next year$175
- Annual renewal$100
How to apply in Glynn County
Official name: Accommodation Excise Tax Certificate
- 1
Apply or renew through the county's OpenGov licensing portal.[4]
- 2
Pay $150 per rental, then list the bedrooms, the parking spaces and the local contact.[1]
- 3
Post the certificate inside the main entrance, near the front door.[1]
- 4
File the 7% accommodation excise tax return by the 20th of each month.[5]
Five jurisdictions, same questions
The Glynn County column comes from the official sources on this page. The other columns show the headline rule from each WonderGuest page. Open a page for the full detail.
| Question | Glynn County | Atlanta | Helen | Dahlonega | Pine Mountain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Permit | Required$150 new, $100 each renewal | Required$150 application, every year | Required | Required$100 | Required |
| Primary residence | Not required | Required | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Night cap | None in Chapter 2-31 | None published | None in Helen's code | No limit in the short-term rental article | None in the zoning ordinance |
| Number on listing | Required | Required | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Occupancy tax | 7% county accommodation excise tax | 8% hotel-motel tax | 16% | 16% | 16% |
| Atlanta short-term rental rules | Helen short-term rental rules | Dahlonega short-term rental rules | Pine Mountain short-term rental rules |
Coming up
What's changing
No change with an effective date appears in the official sources on this page as of October 1, 2026.
FAQ
Glynn County short-term rental questions
Do I need a certificate to run a short-term rental in Glynn County?
What is the accommodation tax rate in Glynn County?
How many guests can stay in a Glynn County short-term rental?
Does Jekyll Island follow Glynn County's short-term rental rules?
What happens if I rent without a certificate in Glynn County?
Sources
- Code of Ordinances, Chapter 2-31, Short-Term Rentals, Glynn County, read on October 1, 2026
- Code of Ordinances, Section 2-14-21, lodging tax rate (Ordinance O-2025-06), Glynn County, read on October 1, 2026
- Code of Ordinances, Section 2-19-2, Mainland and Islands Planning Commissions, Glynn County, read on October 1, 2026
- Short-Term Rental Certificates, Glynn County Licensing and Compliance, read on October 1, 2026
- Alcohol and Accommodation Excise Taxes, Glynn County Licensing and Compliance, read on October 1, 2026
- Good Neighbor & Hotline Flyer (April 2026), Glynn County, read on October 1, 2026
- Hotel/Motel Excise Tax Rates and Revenue Report (updated August 8, 2025), Georgia Department of Community Affairs, read on October 1, 2026
This page is not legal advice. It summarizes the official sources listed on this page as they read on October 1, 2026. Rules can change after that date, so check with the issuing office before you apply or publish a listing.
Before you list
Free tools for new hosts
Short-term rental agreement generator
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