Overview and Key Facts

• Short-term rentals are allowed in Tucker, GA for properties in unincorporated DeKalb County (where most of Tucker’s land area lies). A permit from the DeKalb County Business License Division is required before renting any portion of a dwelling as a short-term rental (≤30 consecutive days).
• An 8% excise tax applies to all short-term rentals in unincorporated DeKalb County (as authorized by state law).
• City-specific short-term rental regulations for incorporated Tucker were not found in the provided sources. Hosts must verify zoning and any local licensing requirements with the City of Tucker Planning & Zoning Department before operating.
• The county’s Short-Term Rental Ordinance (TA-24-1246762) was approved on July 24, 2025, with a 180‑day implementation period. A detailed permit application process is scheduled to be published during that implementation window.

Important caveat: City-level licensing/permits for Tucker are not documented in the materials provided. Always confirm requirements with the City of Tucker and the DeKalb County Business License Division prior to listing.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in This Market

1. Confirm eligibility and zoning

• Verify that your property is in unincorporated DeKalb County (most of Tucker’s land area). If inside the City of Tucker’s limits, check with the City of Tucker Planning & Zoning for any zoning or local licensing requirements specific to short-term rentals.

2. Prepare for the DeKalb County STR permit

• Required application details per county ordinance highlights:
  • Owner and property contact information
  • 24-hour contact for a designated local agent
  • Number and location of on-site parking spaces
  • Signed acknowledgment of requirements (to be detailed by the county)
  • Annual renewal of the permit

3. Taxes and compliance

• DeKalb County excise tax: 8% on short-term rentals in unincorporated areas.
• Georgia state sales tax: 4% (commonly collected/remitted by platforms such as Airbnb/Vrbo, subject to Georgia Department of Revenue rules).
• Hotel/motel tax: Hosts should confirm applicability with DeKalb County. (General guidance in provided sources; confirm with the county.)

4. Prepare operations

• Establish guest communication, check-in process, occupancy limits, parking rules, and quiet hours to ensure neighborhood compatibility.
• Draft or update house rules, welcome instructions, and contact protocols (including 24-hour agent response).

5. Submit, track, and renew

• Apply for the DeKalb County STR permit through the Business License Division once the implementation plan is live.
• Monitor ordinance updates and renew annually.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

• DeKalb County STR Permit (Business License Division)
  • Application content (per ordinance highlights): owner and property contact details; 24-hour local agent contact; parking information; signed acknowledgment of requirements.
  • Permit is non-transferable and tied to the property and owner; annual renewal required.
• Business License/Registration
  • Obtain and maintain a business license/registration as required by DeKalb County Business License Division for STR operations.
• Taxes
  • DeKalb County excise tax: 8% on STR income.
  • Georgia state sales tax: 4% on STR transactions.
  • Hotel/motel tax: Confirm applicability and remittance details with DeKalb County.
• Zoning confirmation
  • Confirm zoning with City of Tucker Planning & Zoning for properties within city limits. Unincorporated DeKalb properties must also be zoned appropriately for STR use.
• Recordkeeping
  • Keep detailed records of reservations, guest contacts, agent contacts, parking plans, and communications for audits and renewals.

Specific Regulations for STRs (City, County, and State)

County (DeKalb County – Unincorporated)

• Definition: Short-term rental is the rental of any room, lodging, or overnight accommodation for 30 consecutive days or less (includes vacation homes, residential dwellings, guestrooms).
• Permit requirement: Permit from the Business License Division is required before renting any portion of a dwelling as an STR.
• Permit restrictions: Not transferable, assigned, or used at another location.
• Annual renewal: Required.
• Application content: Owner/property contacts; 24‑hour agent; parking information; signed acknowledgment.
• Taxes: 8% excise tax on STRs, as authorized by state law.
• Neighborhood standards: Owners must ensure guests do not disrupt neighbors’ quiet enjoyment and do not interfere with neighborhood peace.

City (City of Tucker)

• City-specific short-term rental licensing or zoning rules were not available in the provided sources. Hosts should verify with the City of Tucker Planning & Zoning Department whether any local permits or restrictions apply for STRs inside city limits.

State (Georgia)

• State sales tax: 4% applies to short-term rentals (commonly collected/remitted by platforms).
• Habitability and safety standards are required for residential rentals. Maintain the property in safe, functional condition with all essential utilities functioning and free of mold/infestations; respond to repair requests promptly.
• Security deposits: Georgia statewide cap of two months’ rent. Note: Within Atlanta, the local cap is 1.5 months’ rent. Hosts operating in incorporated Tucker should confirm local rules applicable within city limits.

Note: The Georgia Landlord–Tenant Handbook governs long-term rentals; it is not a short-term rental rulebook. It is provided here only as general context on landlord–tenant law and habitability standards.

Local Authority Contacts (DeKalb County STR Program)

• Project Manager, Development Services (DeKalb County STR Project)
  • Email: rtjackson@dekalbcountyga.gov
• Special Projects Coordinator, Current Planning (DeKalb County STR Project)
  • Email: yktrammell@dekalbcountyga.gov

Additional contacts and remittance specifics for the DeKalb County Business License Division and the Georgia Department of Revenue should be confirmed via the county and state resources listed below.

Source Links (as provided)

• DeKalb County: Short-Term Rentals project page
  • engagedekalb.dekalbcountyga.gov/airbnb-dekalb-county
• DeKalb County STR Ordinance (PDF, revised 07.24.25)
  • www.dekalbcountyga.gov/sites/default/files/users/user3686/Excise%20Tax%20STR%20Ordinance%20%28revised%2007.24.25%29%20CLEAN.pdf
• RedAwning Tucker market overview (informational; not an official source)
  • www.redawning.com/pm/market-overview/tucker-georgia
• Silas Frazier Realty blog (informational; not an official source)
  • www.silasfrazierrealty.com/blog/navigating-new-rental-regulations-what-landlords-need-to-know/
• Georgia Landlord–Tenant Handbook (PDF)
  • www.tuckerga.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/georgia_landlord-tenant_handbook.pdf

Notes and next steps

• Implementation plan for DeKalb County STR permits is scheduled during the 180‑day window following the July 24, 2025 approval. Watch the county’s STR page for final application procedures and fee schedules.
• City-specific requirements for Tucker (if any) should be confirmed with the City of Tucker Planning & Zoning Department before listing.