Is it accurate you can only rent out 2 dwelling units in Atlanta Georgia as short STR

[Patrick K.]

On their city website it states:

"

One owner can obtain an STRL for up to two (2) separate properties. The primary residence and one additional dwelling unit without any additional requirements, fees, permits, licenses, zoning, or related restrictions.

"

I am not sure what it means, does it mean someone can have more than 2 properties as long they satisfy some additional requirements?

[David Holcombe]

I wanted to add an update to this since the Atlanta STR legislation is so uncertain right now. So, Atlanta passed STR legislation in March 2022 that was very restricting. However, as of January 2024, they haven't written a single ticket or enforced their STR rules in any way. The city has acknowledged the current STR rules are not legally enforceable and based that on the recent court case in New Orleans where the requirement to have a primary residence in the city was deemed unconstitutional (Atlanta's current legislation has this Primary residence requirement). Atlanta's STR website shows they're delaying enforcement with no future enforcement date in place. City Council has said they're going to amend and update the STR laws in 2024. The revised legislation that they're trying to push through likely will not have a Primary Residence requirement or limit on the number of STR properties an investor could own. Instead what's in discussion is putting a "global cap" on the number of STR licenses available in the city. This Cap would allow room for some future new STR supply. They're trying to include grandfathering of existing properties (Grandfathering is common in Georgia like non-conforming duplexes, etc). Long story short, no, no one is currently enforcing the 2 property limit. I have several clients that have 10+ units operating as STR's in Atlanta with no issues. Future rules are uncertain but I'm optimistic they'll be favorable.   If you need help identifying the best areas for STR in Atlanta, best operators, contractors, designers, etc, give me a shout. Good luck!

David Holcombe