How should handle calls from Atlanta Zoning?

[Kim33]

I have an Airbnb (whole house) of several years in the heart of Atlanta and have just received a call from the City of Atlanta Zoning.

Seeking anyone with similar experience to share ideas and experiences on how to handle.

[Elisabeth352]

Atlanta’s new STR restrictions begin March 1st, with a hard deadline of March 31st. **

For information regarding the ordinances: https://www.atlantaga.gov/home/showdocument?id=53344&t=637732653252142114

**

** [Advertisement removed in line with the Community Center Guidelines] - Please note that it is not allowed to advertise on the Community Center.

[Sarah977]

@Elisabeth352  I'm sure the restriction info will be helpful to Atlanta area hosts, but you aren't allowed to advertise your management company on this forum. There is a no advertising policy.

[Elisabeth352]

My apologies- Just trying to help anyone who has an Airbnb in Atlanta but may need to find a local, 24/7 contact; for the ordinance

[Momi0]

You need to delete your original post as it’s against the policy of this site.  Please remember to read the policies before posting anything. Just as hosts we expect our guests to read our listing rules  😉 

[Sarah977]

@Momi0  Yes this one and the 2 other threads in 2 other forum sections they dredged up and spammed. 🙂

I just love how people try to drum up business for themselves under the guise of "just trying to help out".

[Sathya7]

New to airbnb. . all new and creative ideas are welcome. want to explore

[Xiaoheng1]

Can anyone advise what the current situation is for airbnb rental?  We are in an Unincorporated communities in DeKalb County, Georgia. 

Is it still required to apply for business license as well a hotel license? 

[Elisabeth352]

Dekalb I doesn’t have any for now, but supposed to be coming Jan. 2023. Hopefully unincorporated will be exempt 

[LuisaandOfu0]

After talking to a council member and to the person enforcing it, we would have to take it down till Airbnb resolve the issue with the city. If we don’t take it down,  we’ll be fined. You can do month to month, which is the minimum requirement but they don’t want anything to do with Airbnb or VRBO, not sure why. And someone here wrote they got fined. We will be taking ours down today after calling Airbnb CS.I  don’t have the energy to go to court and pay  fines. We will wait till it’s taken care of then come back. I believe sometime in March of 2022. If you come up on the searches, you will be in trouble according to the conversation. It’s all about the $. It sucks. Who’s behind all of this? 

[Timothy178]

looking at getting a property in Decatur ..anyone familiar with zoning issues or other there?

[Jay77]

Some years back we had a nosy neighbor on our block that hounded Sandy Springs code enforcement about the goings-on in our home. We received numerous citations for operating a "boarding house" and spent thousands of dollars fighting it in court. The rules were: no more than four unrelated people can occupy a home, and rentals must be for no less then 30 days. At the time they did not allow short-term rentals. That has changed now, but we still do not allow nightly rentals. All our guests must book  for 30 days minimum. Essentially it's the same process we used to do with Craigslist but now Airbnb is our marketing agent and we get a better class of "tenant".

[Donald28]

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[Tricia26]

 Today I received a letter from the City of Tucker stating that I am in violation of a zoning code that does not allow short term rental. I’m supposed to correct this problem otherwise be subjected to a citation or in other words  a monetary fine $$$.  

I have been hosting for four years and it was this past summer where I had one Guest who did not obey House Rules and had twice as many people in my home plus a pool party at 3 AM Due to this Guest breaking the terms of our contract, the reservation,  and her irresponsible actions, brought my Airbnb to the attention of my neighborhood in a very negative light. This was the first time I actually evicted a Guest...she was supposed to stay one more night but I would NOT allow her do so and got her to leave with Airbnb’s help.  

Now I need to find out what my rights are as a property owner in Dekalb County.  

I am llicensed as a LLC, limited liability corporation, so I do pay business taxes. 

Here we go Atlanta, just like other cities who had to wrestle with this short term rental tax issue… Once the cities can get their Piece of the Pie  $$$ then they are usually happy to let us run our Airbnbs. 

WE NEED AIRBNB TO GET INVOLVED NOW! AND TO LEVERAGE THE ATTENTION OF THE 2019 SUPERBOWL ON THE CITY OF ATL 

[LuisaandOfu0]

We had two letters. They will start enforcing fines, Sept first by going door to door. Good thing is, the guy enforcing it told me to take my House off Airbnb or else we would be fined. He also mentioned, they’ll be a lot of knuckleheads who will make $ for the city. Fines will bring $$$… it sucks but what choice do we have? I also looked into the city’s legislation. This issue won’t be solved till March of 2022. GA is slow, unlike NYC. They don’t want to hear Airbnb or Vrbo, even if you have a business license or pay taxes. 

[Jay77]

Tricia, you're lucky they're allowing you time to "correct the problem". In Sandy  Springs I got citations for operating a boarding house and had to go to court.  They wanted to fine me $1,000. 

[Holly234]

I would love to know your conclusion, I am also in Dekalb County, unincorporated Atlanta, between North Druid Hills and Clairmont.  If anyone has input it would be appreciated!!  

[Jesi32]

Hello Holly & Maria,

I (Jesi) am in the same boat in DeKalb County in Edgewood / Little Five Points. I airbnb my condo when I travel. I found these articles I am sifting through currently regarding zoning & Airbnb. My situation is different because I am in a situation with HOA vs Airbnb Hosts:

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/853/atlanta-ga
https://www.ajc.com/news/local/how-list-your-home-airbnb-metro-atlanta-for-the-super-bowl/B8ZsPINcEs...

Please keep me updated if you find anything additional. 

[Maria3022]

Hello Holly. I am in the same location as you, just started, am concerned and don't know what to do.  It would be great to stay connected. Are you paying sales and use taxes?  I'm about to/intend to  but not sure if causes a red flag.

Maria

[Maria3022]

Oh sorry about the tax question, no responce asked for.  Thx.

[Donald28]

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