Dahlonega draws visitors to the square, the wineries and the mountains, and buyers often ask whether a condo here can earn rent by the night. The honest answer is that it depends on three separate rulebooks, and you need a yes from each one. This guide takes them in the order that can stop you first.
Layer 1: the condo declaration
Every Georgia condominium declaration must state any restrictions on the general use of the condominium, or state that there are none. Rental limits, if any, are found here and in later amendments. (Official Code of Georgia (via FindLaw), checked 2026-10-19)
Changing the rules
- Georgia condominium instruments are generally amended only with the agreement of owners holding two-thirds of the association vote (or a larger majority if the instruments require it). From July 1, 1990, no amendment may require more than 80% of the owner vote. Official Code of Georgia (via FindLaw), checked 2026-10-19
- A condominium amendment takes effect only when it is recorded (or on a later date stated in it). Official Code of Georgia (via FindLaw), checked 2026-10-19
Rental limits live in the declaration and its recorded amendments, and owners can amend them with a two-thirds vote. City or county permission to run a short-term rental does not override a condo declaration. We have not read the recorded declaration for either Dahlonega complex, so we do not say what either one says about rentals. Ask for the declaration, every amendment and the current rules, and read the minutes for any vote in progress.
Fannie Mae will not buy loans in condo projects run like hotels or motels, including projects that require owners to put units in a rental pool or that offer hotel-type services such as registration desks and daily or short-term rentals. (Fannie Mae Selling Guide, checked 2026-10-19)
To be FHA-approvable, a condo project must be primarily residential and not intended for transient or hotel rental. (eCFR (24 CFR 203.43b), checked 2026-10-19)
Those lender rules are a second reason associations care about nightly rentals. If too much of a project runs like a hotel, future buyers can have trouble getting a loan.
Layer 2: inside Dahlonega city limits
The Census geocoder places The Summit of Dahlonega (315 Summit Dr), Ida's Place (119 Boyd Cir) and Crown Mountain Place inside the Dahlonega city limits. (U.S. Census Bureau Geocoder, checked 2026-10-19)
Both residential condominiums we verified are inside the city, so the City rules are the ones most condo owners meet.
City of Dahlonega short-term rental rules
- In the City of Dahlonega, a short-term rental means renting all or part of a dwelling (or another non-hotel structure) for 30 consecutive days or less. City of Dahlonega Code, checked 2026-10-19
- City zoning allows short-term rentals in every zoning district except R-1 (Single-Family Residential). R-1 properties already used as STRs (or under contract with Airbnb or similar) on or before Aug. 15, 2020 may continue. In PUDs, the PUD text and approved site plan control. City of Dahlonega Code, checked 2026-10-19
- Every short-term rental inside the city needs an annual Short-Term Rental License; the code sets the fee at $100 a year. The owner also needs a City occupation tax certificate and hotel-motel tax compliance. City of Dahlonega Code, checked 2026-10-19
Zoning is the gate. City zoning allows STRs in every district except R-1, and in a planned unit development the PUD text and site plan control. We did not open the City zoning map for The Summit or Ida’s Place, so check the parcel’s district with the City before you count on rental income.
Operating rules
- City STR rules limit occupancy to four people per bedroom and require one off-street parking space per bedroom; guest vehicles cannot exceed the on-site spaces. City of Dahlonega Code, checked 2026-10-19
- City STRs must have a fire extinguisher on each level, interconnected smoke detectors, CO detectors, and a designated local contact available 24 hours a day whose details are given to the City, sheriff, fire department, police and owners within 300 feet. City of Dahlonega Code, checked 2026-10-19
- Three code violations at one property within 12 months lead the City to revoke pending certificates and reject applications for that property for 12 months; violations carry a minimum $250 fine per offense. City of Dahlonega Code, checked 2026-10-19
The City of Dahlonega levies an 8% hotel-motel excise tax on lodging charges inside the city limits, with returns due by the 20th of each month. (City of Dahlonega Code, checked 2026-10-19)
Layer 2: unincorporated Lumpkin County
Lumpkin County short-term rental rules
- In unincorporated Lumpkin County, it is unlawful to operate or advertise a short-term rental without a valid occupational tax certificate and a short-term rental host license for each rental. Lumpkin County Code, checked 2026-10-19
- The county STR host license applies to all short-term rentals in unincorporated Lumpkin County (not inside the City of Dahlonega). Licenses expire December 31, must be renewed each year and are non-transferable. Lumpkin County Code, checked 2026-10-19
- The county's Short-Term Rentals page says an approved Land Use Permit is required before a Business and Short-Term Rental License is issued. Lumpkin County, checked 2026-10-19
Unincorporated Lumpkin County regulates land use through its Land Use Code, which the code itself calls 'Performance Zoning', organized by character areas and road classifications rather than traditional zoning districts. (Lumpkin County Code, checked 2026-10-19)
Host duties
- County STR hosts must certify that no deed restriction or covenant on the property prohibits short-term rental use. Lumpkin County Code, checked 2026-10-19
- The county caps STR occupancy at two persons per bedroom plus two, and requires guests to park only in the driveway or garage. Lumpkin County Code, checked 2026-10-19
- Per the county STR page, a renewing host gets one combined Business & Short-Term Rental License for $175, plus a $100 Short-Term Rental License for each additional rental. Lumpkin County, checked 2026-10-19
The fee figures come from the county’s STR page, which frames them as renewal instructions, so confirm the current fee with the county. Note the covenant certification: a county host signs that no recorded restriction on the property rules out short-term rental use. In a condo, that sends you straight back to the declaration.
County lodging tax
- Unincorporated Lumpkin County's hotel-motel tax is 8% for stays on or after Aug. 1, 2023 (raised from 5%). Lumpkin County Code, checked 2026-10-19
- The county says Airbnb, VRBO and similar marketplace platforms must remit local and state hotel-motel taxes for hosts who use only those platforms; hosts who take bookings directly must remit themselves, by the 20th of each month. Lumpkin County, checked 2026-10-19
City and county side by side
| City of Dahlonega | Unincorporated Lumpkin County | |
|---|---|---|
| Where it applies | Inside city limits only | Outside city limits only |
| License | Annual City STR license, plus an occupation tax certificate | Occupational tax certificate and a host license for each rental, renewed each year |
| Land rules | City zoning: every district except R-1; PUD text controls in a PUD | The county’s land use rules: an approved Land Use Permit first |
| Fee | $100 a year, set in the City Code | Per the county STR page: $175 combined license, $100 for each additional rental; confirm |
| Occupancy | Four people per bedroom | Two people per bedroom plus two |
| Parking | One off-street space per bedroom | Driveway or garage only |
| Covenants | The declaration still controls | Host certifies no covenant rules it out |
| Lodging tax | City 8% hotel-motel tax | County 8% hotel-motel tax |
| Transfer at sale | Ask the City | Non-transferable; a buyer applies new |
Never use the county license inside city limits, or the City license outside them. They are separate systems.
The state fee
Georgia adds a $5.00-per-night state fee on rooms and lodging rented by an innkeeper (stays over 30 consecutive days are exempt). (Official Code of Georgia (via FindLaw), checked 2026-10-19)
Add the state fee to the local hotel-motel tax when you figure what a guest pays and what you remit. The county page explains platform remittance for the unincorporated area only. Inside the city, ask the City how platform bookings are handled.
Before you buy a condo to rent
Counting the real costs
Listing sites show gross nightly rates. The costs come out of that. A fair plan counts the association assessment, which you owe every month whether the unit is booked or not, the license and occupation tax, the hotel-motel tax and state fee you collect and remit, cleaning between stays, furnishing, the safety equipment the City requires and the insurance that fits rental use. We do not publish rental income figures for any complex.
- Get the recorded declaration, every amendment and the current rules, and read the leasing and use sections.
- Read a year or two of minutes for any rental vote, proposed amendment or complaints.
- Confirm whether the unit is inside city limits on qPublic, then check its zoning district (City) or land use permit path (county).
- Count bedrooms and off-street spaces against the occupancy and parking rules.
- Ask your lender whether rental use changes the loan or the project review.
- Ask your insurer about rental use under your HO-6 policy.
- Budget for licenses, lodging taxes and the state fee.
The City rules are in the City Code, Appendix B, Article VIII and the county’s are on its Short-Term Rentals page. Our article on the condo declaration vs the City STR license looks at the conflict between them.
Questions buyers ask
Can I rent my Dahlonega condo on Airbnb?
It depends on three layers. City zoning lets short-term rentals operate in every district except R-1, with an annual City license. The condo declaration must state its use restrictions, and it can be stricter than the City. Read the declaration and its recorded amendments first.
How much is the City of Dahlonega short-term rental license?
The City code sets an annual Short-Term Rental License at $100. Owners also need a City occupation tax certificate and must comply with the hotel-motel tax.
Source: City of Dahlonega Code
What hotel-motel tax applies to a Dahlonega short-term rental?
Inside the city, the City levies 8% on lodging charges, with returns due by the 20th of each month. Georgia adds a $5-per-night state fee.
Source: City of Dahlonega Code
Does the Lumpkin County STR license apply inside the city?
No. The county’s short-term rental host license covers unincorporated Lumpkin County only. It expires December 31, must be renewed each year and cannot be transferred to a buyer.
Source: Lumpkin County Code
Can the owners change the rental rules after I buy?
Yes. Georgia condominium instruments are generally amended by owners holding two-thirds of the association vote, and an amendment takes effect when it is recorded.
Next step
Set “short-term rental” in the condo buyer checklist to add these checks to your list, and read the lock-and-leave guide if you will use the condo yourself part of the year.
Rules, rates and approvals change. Every rule on this page links to the office or statute that sets it; confirm with that source before you rely on it.