Forsyth County officials are weighing an ordinance seeking to regulate short-term vacation rentals that have created problems in several residential neighborhoods.

As first presented by county attorney Ken Jarrard last week, the ordinance would set up a permitting system for rentals of less than seven days with a permit possibly costing $300 and a renewal set at $150. Jarrard said the plan would remove any requirement for those renting for less than seven days to convert to a boarding house category, which is not permissible in most zoning designations, in return for requiring permitting. After commissioners discussed a couple of possibilities on permitted rental lengths the commission deferred further consideration to a work session. Jarrard at one point suggested that all temporal length references on renting be removed.

During a public hearing on the matter residents of Lake Lanier-area subdivisions told of loud parties, excessive noise and trash left behind by those who rent homes through short-term rental services during the warm season.

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Braves first baseman Matt Olson (left) is greeted by Ronald Acuña Jr. after batting during the MLB Home Run Derby as part of the All-Star Game festivities on Monday, July 14, 2025, at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

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