Tybee Island due diligenceTybee Island STR Rules and Investment Checks
Confirm the revised permit process, parcel eligibility, permit history, local and state taxes, operating duties, insurance, and property restrictions before relying on short-term rental income.
Decision point2027 permit transition
Tybee Island states that revised STR ordinances will lead to a new permitting process in 2027, while implementation details are still being prepared.
- Monitor the official City STR page for the new application process.
- Ask STR Help which requirements apply to the property today.
- Do not rely on an older application as the final 2027 filing package.
- Treat permit timing and eligibility as acquisition contingencies.
- Save written City guidance with the property file.
- Recheck the process immediately before filing or closing.
Decision pointParcel eligibility
A Tybee Island address needs property-specific zoning and permit review before projected STR income belongs in an acquisition model.
- Confirm that the parcel lies inside Tybee Island city limits.
- Identify the current zoning district and permitted use status.
- Ask whether the parcel has an active STR permit or nonconforming status.
- Do not treat a nearby rental as proof of eligibility.
- Review building records for unpermitted rooms or units.
- Make City confirmation a written due-diligence item.
Decision pointExisting permit history
Permit history matters because older City guidance imposed special rules on nonconforming STRs in residential districts.
- Request the permit record tied to the exact parcel.
- Confirm whether the permit remains active and renewable.
- Ask whether prior rental-activity requirements still apply.
- Review any notices, citations, suspensions, or revocations.
- Verify that the approved unit matches the marketed space.
- Do not assume a prior approval survives a lapse.
Decision pointOwnership and transfer
The City’s 2024 FAQ described many residential-district STR permits as nontransferable, so a sale requires direct confirmation under the revised rules.
- Disclose the planned ownership structure to STR Help.
- Ask how a deed transfer affects the current permit.
- Ask how an entity or membership-interest change is treated.
- Do not value a seller’s permit as automatically transferable.
- Separate closing timing from permit approval timing.
- Use a qualified Georgia attorney for title and entity questions.
Decision pointLocal room tax
Tybee Island requires a 7% local Occupational Room Tax return by the 20th day of the following month, including months with no tax due.
- Register and file through the City Finance process.
- Use the current monthly room-tax return.
- File a zero return when no local room tax is due.
- Reconcile platform collections against City returns.
- Keep taxable-charge and exemption records.
- Confirm filing responsibility instead of assuming the platform handles it.
Decision pointGeorgia lodging taxes
Georgia taxes accommodation sales and imposes a $5 per-night State Hotel-Motel Fee on covered stays.
- Register for applicable accounts through the Georgia Tax Center.
- Confirm current state and local sales-tax rates for the address.
- Determine which charges enter the sales-tax base.
- Track the separately itemized state hotel-motel fee.
- Verify marketplace collection and remittance for each booking channel.
- Reconcile state returns with booking and direct-reservation records.
Decision pointOperating ordinances
STR operations remain subject to Tybee Island rules for noise, trash, beaches, and disorderly-house nuisances.
- Give guests written noise and trash instructions.
- Post emergency and local contact information inside the unit.
- Set a response plan for complaints and after-hours calls.
- Match house rules to current City ordinances.
- Document vendor duties for trash, maintenance, and turnover.
- Keep incident and response records with the operating file.
Decision pointSafety and insurance
A property review should identify physical, insurance, flood, wind, and life-safety constraints before launch costs are finalized.
- Confirm legal bedrooms, egress, alarms, and extinguishers.
- Price any building or fire corrections before closing.
- Obtain coverage that expressly allows short-term rental activity.
- Review wind, flood, liability, and business-income terms.
- Confirm decks, stairs, pools, and accessory structures are permitted.
- Use written inspection and insurance records in underwriting.
Decision pointPrivate restrictions and costs
City eligibility does not override deed restrictions, association rules, financing terms, or property-specific operating costs.
- Review the deed, covenants, and association documents.
- Confirm mortgage and insurance terms allow STR use.
- Price utilities, waste, cleaning, maintenance, and local management.
- Budget taxes and fees using current agency guidance.
- Use quotes for furnishing and compliance work.
- Model returns only from documented property inputs.
Decision pointContacts and support
Route legal, tax, complaint, and acquisition questions to the office responsible for each decision.
