Overview: STR Status in Blairsville, GA

Short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Blairsville, Georgia, but are subject to comprehensive regulation by Union County government. Blairsville, located within Union County, operates under county-level STR regulations rather than separate municipal ordinances. The Union County Short-term Rental Ordinance went into effect on April 8, 2023, establishing a formal licensing and regulatory framework for STR operations in the area.

Union County has implemented an innovative, multi-layered approach to STR regulation that includes licensing requirements, excise tax obligations, operational standards, and enforcement mechanisms. The county has established a dedicated Short-term Rental Board composed of local residents and officials to oversee implementation and enforcement of the ordinance.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Blairsville, GA

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Initial Contact and Registration

• Contact the Union County STR Officer to initiate the registration process
• Email SEO at seo@uniongov.com or call 706-439-6122
• If recently purchased, email a copy of page 1 of your Closing Settlement Statement to SEO
• In response, you will receive a Required Registration Letter with instructions and a unique code

Step 2: Application Process

• Access the STR Online License & Tax System at unioncounty.munirevs.com/
• Complete the online application using your unique registration code
• Upload all required documentation (detailed below)

Step 3: Documentation Submission

• Electronic copy of driver's license or photo ID
• Notarized S.A.V.E. Affidavit
• Property septic permit or evaluation
• Additional supporting documents as required

Step 4: Tax Registration

• Register for Hotel-Motel Tax obligations
• Complete applicable tax registration forms
• Set up monthly excise tax reporting system

Step 5: Compliance Setup

• Implement required operational standards
• Post required notices and documents
• Establish complaint resolution procedures

Tourist Accommodation Special Requirements

If you own multiple STRs on a single piece of property, your operation may be classified as a Tourist Accommodation, which requires additional state-level permitting through the Georgia Department of Public Health. Contact 706-781-3824 for Tourist Accommodation permit information.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Core Licensing Documents

1. Driver's License or Photo ID

   • Electronic copy required (photo or scanned document acceptable)
   • Must be current and valid

2. S.A.V.E. Affidavit

   • Required to be notarized
   • Verifies U.S. citizenship status
   • Can be submitted as photo or scanned copy
   • Available through Union County STR resources

3. Property Septic Permit or Evaluation

   • Must be obtained from Union County Environmental Health
   • Request copies by calling 706-781-3824
   • Clear photo or scanned copy acceptable

4. Closing Settlement Statement (if recently purchased)

   • Page 1 of closing documents required
   • Submit to SEO for new property owners

Operational Documents and Guidelines

1. Good Neighbor Policy Document (available in DOC format)
2. Amplified Sound Ordinance Compliance (PDF available)
3. Local and State Tax Guidelines (PDF available)
4. Parking Designation Template (PDF available)

Business Registration Requirements

• Union County does NOT require traditional business licenses for general commercial purposes
• STR-specific licensing and tax registration are mandatory
• Separate registration required if operating within City of Blairsville limits

Tourist Accommodation Permits (if applicable)

• State Department of Public Health permit required for multi-unit properties
• Additional state guidelines apply
• Still subject to local Union County excise taxes

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

Union County STR Ordinance Requirements

Licensing and Operational Standards:

• Individual STRs on separate properties require Union County STR license
• Multiple STRs on single property owned by same owner classified as Tourist Accommodation
• License application and renewal processes established
• Excise tax reporting and payment obligations

Enforcement and Compliance:

• STR Board oversees regulations and enforcement
• Seven-member board includes fire department, building and development, property management, STR owner, and community representatives
• Complaint resolution procedures in place
• Regular board meetings (monthly schedule available)

Amplified Sound and Nuisance Regulations

Sound Amplification Restrictions:

• Sound amplifying equipment use outdoors prohibited between:
  • Sunday-Thursday: 10:00 PM to 8:00 AM
  • Friday-Saturday: 11:00 PM to 8:00 AM
• Equipment must direct sound away from residential areas
• First-time violations may receive warning citations
• Subsequent violations subject to misdemeanor charges with fines up to $500 and/or 30 days imprisonment

Exceptions Include:

• Sound that doesn't carry beyond property lines
• Volume not exceeding normal conversational speech
• Emergency vehicles and government activities
• School-related programs with authorization
• Noncommercial public addresses

Tax Obligations

Local and State Taxes:

• Hotel-Motel tax registration required
• Monthly excise tax reporting through online system
• Local Union County taxes apply
• State lodging taxes apply
• Tax registration forms available through Union County

Operational Requirements

Required Documentation Display:

• STR license must be displayed
• Good Neighbor policy acknowledgment required
• Contact information posting requirements
• Emergency and complaint contact posting

Contact Information

Primary STR Authority

Laura Jenkins, Short-term Rental Officer

• Phone: 706-439-6122
• Email: seo@uniongov.com
• Physical Address: 46 Hughes Street, Suite A, Blairsville, GA 30512
• Fax: 706-439-6107

Support Offices

Union County Commissioner's Office

• Phone: 706-439-6000
• Address: Blairsville, GA (contact for specific location)

Environmental Health Department

• Phone: 706-781-3824
• Services: Septic permits, evaluations, Tourist Accommodation permits

City of Blairsville

• Phone: 706-745-2000
• Contact for city-specific business requirements (if applicable)

Online Resources

• STR Online License & Tax System: unioncounty.munirevs.com/
• STR Complaint Form: str.govos.com/complaint/?cityid=1300
• Union County Website: www.unioncountyga.gov

Source Links

Official Government Resources

1. Union County STR Resources
2. Business/STR Licensing
3. STR Online License & Tax System
4. STR Complaint Form

Documentation and Guidelines

1. STR Ordinance Draft PDF
2. STR Fee Schedule PDF
3. Local and State Taxes PDF
4. Amplified Sound Ordinance PDF
5. S.A.V.E. Document PDF
6. Good Neighbor Policy DOC
7. Parking Designation Template PDF
8. FAQ Document PDF

Additional Resources

1. Tourist Accommodation Requirements PDF
2. Union County Business License Letter
3. STR Board Calendar

This comprehensive regulatory framework ensures that short-term rental operations in Blairsville maintain compliance with all applicable local, county, and state requirements while providing clear guidance for both new and existing STR investors in the market.