Overview: Are STRs allowed in Smyrna, GA?

• Yes. Short‑term rentals are allowed in Smyrna, Georgia, subject to county and city requirements. The rules that govern STRs in Smyrna are Cobb County’s short‑term rental code, which requires a Cobb County Short‑Term Rental Certificate for each residential property and prohibits STRs in commercial zones. Smyrna requires a Short‑Term Rental License and an Occupational Tax Certificate for all STRs operating within city limits. In practice, operating an STR inside Smyrna requires compliance with both Cobb County STR regulations and Smyrna business licensing.
• STR definition (Cobb County): An accommodation for transient guests where, in exchange for compensation, a residential dwelling unit is provided for lodging for a period not to exceed 30 consecutive days. Platforms like Airbnb and VRBO are explicitly included.

How to start a short‑term rental business in Smyrna (step‑by‑step)

1. Confirm zoning eligibility (county requirement)

• Use Cobb County’s My Neighborhood GIS Map to confirm the property is zoned Residential (R). STRs may not be operated in properties zoned Commercial (C). Source: Cobb County Short‑Term Rentals page and zoning FAQ.

2. Obtain the Cobb County Short‑Term Rental Certificate

• Apply annually to the Cobb County Business License Division; one certificate is required per STR property. Non‑refundable application fee is $55. The certificate expires each December 31 and must be renewed annually. Source: Cobb County.

3. Obtain Smyrna business authorizations

• Short‑Term Rental License and Occupational Tax Certificate are both required for any STR within Smyrna. Applications are submitted through Smyrna’s Community Development online portal. Source: Smyrna Business License Division (Short‑Term Rental Licenses section).

4. Prepare required documentation (see checklist below) and submit via the appropriate portals

• Cobb County application and Smyrna online portal links are available on the respective government pages. The Smyrna application requires proof of liability insurance, code compliance verification form, short‑term rental agent form, proof of ownership, and, if owner‑occupied, homestead exemption or affidavit in lieu thereof. Source: Smyrna.

5. Collect and remit taxes

• You are responsible for collecting and remitting all applicable state and local lodging taxes, including Georgia hotel/motel tax and any county or local lodging taxes. Platforms (e.g., Airbnb, VRBO) may collect and remit some taxes automatically, but it is the owner/agent’s responsibility to ensure all taxes are paid. Cobb County enforces payment of applicable taxes to the extent provided by law. Source: Cobb County.

6. Operate in compliance and maintain records

• Post or otherwise provide guests with contact information for the designated short‑term rental agent; maintain records showing compliance with the certificate and licensing requirements. Be aware of complaint and enforcement procedures. Source: Cobb County and Smyrna.

Required documents, permits, and licenses Cobb County

• Cobb County Short‑Term Rental Certificate
  • Application fee: $55 (annual)
  • Valid for one property only; not transferable to another location
  • Required information (annual application includes, but not limited to):
    • Name, address, telephone, and email of owner(s) of record
    • Address of the STR property
    • Name, address, telephone, and email of the short‑term rental agent
    • Short‑term rental agent’s sworn acknowledgement of receipt, review, and understanding of the county STR requirements
    • Number and location of parking spaces allotted to the premises
  • Zoning: Property must be zoned Residential (R); STRs are prohibited in Commercial (C) zones. Source: Cobb County.

Smyrna (City)

• Short‑Term Rental License
  • Issued through the City’s Community Development online application portal
  • Required submissions include:
    • Proof of liability insurance
    • Code compliance verification form
    • Short‑term rental agent form
    • Proof of ownership
    • If owner‑occupied: homestead exemption or affidavit in lieu of homestead exemption
• Occupational Tax Certificate
  • Every person or business operating within city limits must maintain a current City of Smyrna Occupational Tax Certificate. For STRs, this is obtained alongside the Short‑Term Rental License via the city’s online portal. Source: Smyrna Business License Division.

Specific regulations (city, county, state) Cobb County (county‑wide; applies to properties within Smyrna)

• Zoning: STRs permitted only on property zoned Residential (R); prohibited on Commercial (C) properties.
• Certificate requirement: No person may rent, lease, or otherwise exchange for compensation all or any portion of a property as a short‑term rental without first obtaining a Short‑Term Rental Certificate from the county.
• One certificate per property; certificate is not transferable and may not be used for any location other than the one for which it was issued.
• Change of ownership or agent: New owners or agent must notify the Business License Division and apply for and obtain a new Short‑Term Rental Certificate.
• Application: Annual, with $55 non‑refundable fee; certificate expires December 31 each year.
• Definitions: “Short‑term rental property” is an accommodation for transient guests where, in exchange for compensation, a residential dwelling unit is provided for lodging for a period not to exceed 30 consecutive days. Platform‑based rentals (Airbnb, VRBO, etc.) are explicitly included.
• Taxes: Owner/agent must collect and remit all required state and local lodging taxes, including hotel/motel and any tourism fees; Cobb County may enforce collection to the extent provided by law.
• Enforcement and penalties:
  • Operating without a certificate: $500 for first violation within any 12‑month period; $750 for second violation.
  • If a short‑term rental agent accumulates three violations for a particular property within 12 months of the first violation, the county will revoke any pending certificates, the existing certificate for the subject property, and reject all applications for the subject premises for 12 consecutive months.
  • Each day a short‑term rental is rented for overnight accommodation without a certificate constitutes a separate violation.
• Complaint process: Complaints may be made in writing, by email, through the online code enforcement system, or by telephone to Code Enforcement. Complaints must include a description and