After almost a year and 18 previous versions, Gilmer County has an ordinance regulating the operation and licensing of short-term rentals, and there’s still a lot be done between now and when the ordinance goes into effect Jan. 1 2025.
“The commissioners listened to both sides, and had two town hall meetings concerning short-term rentals. I think we’ve got a good product out of those 18 versions,” said Jim Smith, county planning and zoning director, about the ordinance.
Getting a detailed count of how many short-term rentals are in the county is among the next steps in the process leading up to Jan. 1.
“We will have much more details once we get a detailed listing of the short-term rentals located in the county unincorporated area, and we start sending out notices and developing the host license application. There will be more, and that will be closer to the date we start the implementation,” said Smith.
GovOS, a third party contractor, will provide the property count.
“Once we’ve got them identified, we will start providing those owners with a copy of the ordinance, a copy of the host license and a complete packet of material. We will start accepting host licenses (toward) the end of this year to begin Jan. 1,” said Smith.
GovOS has estimated there are more than 1,800 short term rentals in the county, which accounts for an estimated $3 million in hotel/motel tax revenue, Smith noted.
“It could be more, and (the numbers) can fluctuate. We had another company that estimated 3,000, but we don’t think that’s very accurate,” he added.
As for subdivisions, Coosawattee River Resort has the biggest number of short-term rentals by far, Smith noted.
“They fluctuate between 450 and 500,” he added.
Short-term rental owners will apply for a host license annually. Going for more than 30 days without a license will bring a warning and penalty of three times the license fee.
The host license fee amount has not been determined yet.
“Once we know what we’ve got, then we’ll set the license fee,” Smith said.
An annual safety inspection will also be required of short-term rental owners.
“It will be the responsibility of the owner, to have an inspection done by a qualified inspector and submit that report at the time they apply for their host license,” said Smith.