New laws being implemented for Cobb County Airbnb properties

[Pamela884]

Hi my name is Pamela and I own and operate an Airbnb here in Cobb County Marietta Georgia. They want to pass rules requiring that you have a Business license, Occupational tax certificate, short term rental agreement, occupancy tax (which seems we already have that) and charge a motel tax, tourism fee and state and local fees/taxes relating to the lodging of individuals. Also violation fees of $500.00 , $750.00 and 1,000.00.

It will change the Airbnb community. You also have to let your neighbors know that you are operating an Airbnb.  Please reach out to me at **. The plan is to pass this in January. 

**Sensitive information removed

[Debra300]

@Amity5,

The vote was postponed:  https://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta-news/cobb-county-postpones-vote-on-airbnb-rentals-other-regulations.... 

Airbnb collects the occuoancy and sales taxes for Georgia listings: https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/2745/occupancy-tax-collection-and-remittance-by-airbnb-in-georgi....

[Barbara2809]

@Debra300 

Cobb County's Board of Commissioners will vote on short-term occupancy rules this Tuesday, September 27 at 7:00 PM. Please see the details, such as requiring a business license, at the Code Amendments link at this site. 

Will you be going to provide input or do you think this is a done deal?

https://www.cobbcounty.org/communications/news/board-consider-code-amendments-fall

[Debra300]

@Barbara2809,

Thanks for the notice.  We are in St. Lucia, and couldn't attend in person.  I read the proposal, and it seems that the biggest thing for on-site owners will be the introduction of a certificate, but will reread it to see what I missed.

[Barbara2809]

I think we have to get a license too ($55.00 per year). My question is whether we have to get a new certificate every 30 days. I will let you know if I find out anything.

[Barbara2809]

Cobb County's Board of Commissioners will vote on short-term occupancy rules this Tuesday at 7:00 PM. Please see the details, such as requiring a business license, at the Code Amendments link at this site. 

Is anyone going? 

https://www.cobbcounty.org/communications/news/board-consider-code-amendments-fall

[Pamela1396]

I did not attend.

I think this is horrific and I don't even want to be discovered as an Airbnb Host.

Unfortunately now that this ordinance has passed, I have blocked my Airbnb and hoping for some kind of resolve.

I think it is totally unfair to homeowners that simply want to share their home.

The focus should be on multi-property investors and not us.

[Robin1107]

I have an Airbnb in the Roswell part of Cobb. I know that recently the county announced that it would crack down on Airbnbs (as of Sept 2022) and put in place requirements. However, I haven't heard anything since then. I looked around the county website for mention of an annual license fee, requirements, etc. and found nothing. Does anyone have any more details on this? 

[Lisa8100]

Hi @Robin1107 - what did you find out. We are new to wanting to open an Airbnb on our property. In Cobb, Roswell. 

thank you so much!

[Jeannette152]

I haven’t hear anything 

[Autumn124]

@Pamela884 Has there been any updates on this?

[Pamela1396]

Hi Pamela ` My name is Pamela also, and I have an Airbnb in Marietta Ga.

It has been a wonderful opportunity to offset a large mortgage and has been working great for 5 years.

Because of what I feel is completely unlawful ordinance subjecting us in Cobb County from having an Airbnb in our residence and telling us our primary residence is now a business with all kinds of additional expense, unorthadox taxes etc on our primary residences is beyond my ability to understand.

I have reverted my Airbnb to not less than 30 days and of course no one is renting.ce for me as a SuperHost.

If folks are harming neighborhood charm there should be a way to single out these folks and not ruin it for us SuperHosts.

I am happy to join anyone in our rebellion in this completely unfair vote.

Pam

[J384]

Hi @Pamela884 , Can I reach out to you about your expertise in the STR area? What is your email or cell? Thank you! JG