Savannah is one of America’s most beautiful historic cities — and one of its most restrictive short-term rental markets. The city uses an overlay-district system that limits STRs to specific zones, caps density at 20% per block face, and requires a full fire inspection before approval. If your property falls outside an eligible zone, you simply cannot rent it short-term. Here’s everything you need to know before you list.
📋 Savannah STR Permit — 2026 At a Glance
| Permit Name | Short-Term Vacation Rental (STVR) Certificate |
| Application Fee | $400 (initial application) |
| Annual Renewal | $250 (annual renewal) |
| Processing Time | 4–8 weeks (fire inspection scheduling) |
| Primary Residence Only? | Yes |
| Licensing Difficulty | Hard |
Do You Need a License to Short-Term Rent in Savannah?
Savannah’s STVR program is administered through the City of Savannah’s Revenue Department. Eligible properties must be located within one of the approved overlay districts: the Downtown Historic District, the Victorian District, the Streetcar District, or certain B-C, B-N, B-L, and A-1 commercial zones. A fire safety inspection by the Savannah Fire Marshal is required before the certificate is issued. All certificates must be renewed annually.
How to Get a Savannah Short-Term Rental Permit: Step by Step
- Verify your property is in an eligible overlay district using the city’s STR zoning map at savannahga.gov/STR.
- Confirm you are below the 20% density cap for your block face (Revenue Department can provide counts).
- Submit the STVR Certificate application online through the Savannah Revenue Department portal with proof of ownership, a site plan, and emergency contact information.
- Schedule and pass a fire safety inspection with the Savannah Fire Marshal ($0 additional fee — included in application).
- Upon approval, display your Certificate number prominently on all listing platforms.
- Renew annually by the certificate anniversary date for $250.
Savannah Short-Term Rental Fees (2026)
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Certificate | $400 | One-time at application |
| Annual Renewal | $250 | Each year |
| Fire Inspection | Included | Required at initial application |
There are no separate state-level STR fees in Georgia, but you will need a Georgia Sales Tax ID from the Georgia Department of Revenue.
Key Rules & Restrictions for Savannah Hosts
- Property must be within an approved overlay district — properties outside these zones are not eligible.
- Density cap: no more than 20% of units on a block face may hold STVR Certificates (owner-occupied units are exempt from the count).
- A fire safety inspection is required before the initial certificate is issued.
- Certificate number must appear on all listing platform advertisements.
- Operators must maintain a 24/7 local contact who can respond to complaints within one hour.
- Parties, events, and commercial gatherings are prohibited.
Taxes Short-Term Rental Hosts Owe in Savannah
Georgia state sales tax: 4% on accommodations. Chatham County hotel/motel tax: 6%. City of Savannah hotel/motel tax: 1%. Total: approximately 11% collected and remitted via the Georgia Department of Revenue (myPATH portal). Airbnb and VRBO collect and remit Georgia state and Chatham County taxes automatically; hosts typically remit the 1% city portion directly.
Penalties for Operating Without a Permit in Savannah
Operating without a certificate: $500/day per violation. Exceeding density caps: certificate revocation. Failure to maintain a local contact: $250/violation. Noise or nuisance complaints resulting in police response: $500+ per incident and potential certificate suspension.
How HostStarter Handles Savannah STR Compliance
Keeping pace with Savannah’s permit requirements — renewals, inspections, tax remittance, and ordinance updates — is a significant ongoing commitment. HostStarter’s full-service property management includes complete compliance handling: we track deadlines, coordinate inspections, ensure your listing always displays a valid permit number, and alert you to regulatory changes before they impact your revenue.
Get a free Savannah revenue estimate from HostStarter →
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to run an Airbnb in Savannah?
Yes. Savannah requires a Short-Term Vacation Rental (STVR) Certificate for any rental of less than 30 days. Your property must also be located within one of Savannah’s approved STR overlay districts — if it isn’t, you cannot legally rent it short-term regardless of permit status.
How much does a short-term rental permit cost in Savannah?
The initial STVR Certificate costs $400, which includes the required fire safety inspection. Annual renewal is $250.
How long does it take to get an STR license in Savannah?
Expect 4–8 weeks from application submission to certificate issuance. The main variable is scheduling availability for the Fire Marshal inspection.
What taxes do Airbnb hosts owe in Savannah?
Savannah hosts owe Georgia state sales tax (4%), Chatham County hotel/motel tax (6%), and a City of Savannah hotel/motel tax (1%) — totaling approximately 11%. Major platforms collect and remit most of these automatically.
What are the penalties for operating an unlicensed Airbnb in Savannah?
Operating without a certificate carries fines of $500 per day. Repeated violations can result in certificate denial for future applications. Exceeding density caps is grounds for certificate revocation.