ROSWELL, Ga. — The City of Roswell approved new guidelines and restrictions for residents to operate short-term rentals, like Airbnb and VRBOs.
According to the council, the rules took effect June 9, and they’ll have enforcement of the new regulations start at the end of January 2026.
City officials said the new measures were to have a more structured process for registration and inspection of short-term rentals and to ensure that the “safety, character and quality of life in Roswell neighborhoods” was maintained while legally allowing property owners to host guests.
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“This is about responsible hosting,” Mayor Kurt Wilson said in a statement. “Roswell is a city of innovation and opportunity, but also one that values safety and the well-being of its residents. This ordinance reinforces all of those principles.”
While the new ordinance passed by the members of the Roswell City Council sets new regulations, the city said it does not ban or limit the number of short-term rentals.
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Instead, the new rules “seek to balance the economic opportunity for residents with the need to increase safety provisions and preserve neighborhood integrity.”
City officials summarized the main provisions of the new ordinance as:
- Business Registration through the City’s Finance Department required to operate
- Annual Fire Marshal Inspections required to ensure safety compliance
- Designation of a Local Agent available within two hours for emergencies or violations
- Occupancy Limits of two guests per bedroom plus two additional guests, with a maximum of 12 per unit
- Noise and Parking Compliance aligned with existing City ordinances
- Prohibition on On-Site Signage promoting short-term rentals
To help residents and prospective Airbnb and VRBO hosts adjust to the new rules, Roswell plans to hold a public education campaign over the summer to help people understand the ordinance and prepare to comply.
The outreach effort will include online resources, community meetings and mailers with the new rules.
Applications for new short-term rentals are expected to become available in early August.
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