Athens-Clarke County list of short-term rentals protected by sunset clause

Short-term rental owners in Athens-Clarke County can see if their properties have been identified as legal non-conforming rentals under a new ordinance.

In February, the Athens-Clarke County Government regulations for short-term rentals. STRs are properties rented out for less than 31 days at a time, often on sites like VRBO and Airbnb.

The new ordinance divides STRs into two legal types, home occupation and commercial, and identifies the zoning classifications where these types of STRs are allowed to exist.

During the ordinance’s negotiation, commissioners included a sunset clause for some STR owners whose businesses would violate the new legislation.

The Athens-Clarke County Government released a list of properties on Monday that operated last year and are considered legal nonconforming. The properties on this list will have 24 months to come into compliance without a penalty.

STR owners who believe their properties belong on the list can submit documentation to the county’s planning department.

The list is available for public review for six months and can be viewed online at the Athens-Clarke County website.