Snellville City Council has passed new regulations for short-term rentals, including Airbnb.
The new ordinance, passed this week, now requires a business license for each short-term rental unit, defined as a dwelling rented out for 30 days or less. Exceptions will be made for property owners with multiple short-term rental units, who can apply for one license covering all of the units, according to a city release.
Applications for a short-term rental business license must be submitted and approved before a unit is rented out. The documents that must be filed with the Snellville Planning Department include square footage, maximum occupancy limits, code and safety verifications, parking information, hotel/motel tax registration and an application fee.
Units can only have two people staying for each bedroom, plus two additional people. There is a maximum of six allowable guests at a short-term rental under this ordinance. Security cameras must be installed at all entrances and driveways.
The city had received reports of "illicit activity" at short-term rental properties that caused them concern, spurring the new regulation. In June, the Gwinnett Metro Task Force arrested a man accused of using a Snellville Airbnb as a drug stash house. The man was banned from the platform after the company became aware of the arrest.
Anyone found violating the ordinance will receive a warning first, and subsequent violations will result in fines and license revocations.
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