✦ New: the Fluffy Linen Subscription, hotel-quality linens from $35 per guest turn →
Fluffy (843) 268-8511 Request a quote
News · Tybee Island, GA

Tybee Island Short-Term Rental Rules and News.

Tybee Island has rewritten its short-term vacation rental rules. From January 1, 2027, four residential sectors are capped at between 175 and 250 rentals each, with a waiting list, and every rental must name an emergency contact. A judge ruled for the city in an owners’ lawsuit in August, and council set new annual fees in September.

Compiled by Fluffy · Updated October 26, 2026

Request a quote Tybee Island turnover cleaning

Where things stand

As of October 26, 2026
Rental caps
Four residential sectors, each capped at between 175 and 250 rentals; existing rentals count toward the cap
Buying a rental
A new owner of a registered rental must reapply, and gets a certificate only if the waiting list allows, with exceptions for some family transfers
Emergency contact
Every rental must name one, or face a fine
Annual fees
$400 for up to 5 guests, $800 for 6 to 10 and $1,200 for more than 10, approved September 10; the start date has not been reported
Takes effect
January 1, 2027

A summary of council decisions and local reporting, not legal advice. Rules change at council meetings, so confirm with the city before acting on a property.

What it means for hosts in Tybee Island

Name an emergency contact for each rental before January 1, 2027, and if a manager handles calls, agree who it is
Check which sector your property sits in and how close that sector is to its cap, in the ordinance as adopted rather than the May draft
If you are buying a rental, assume the certificate does not come with the house: the new owner reapplies and waits on the list unless an exception applies
Budget for the new annual fee, which now depends on how many guests the home takes

Timeline

  1. New annual rental fees

    Council approved annual fees of $400 for rentals of 1 to 5 people, $800 for 6 to 10 and $1,200 for more than 10, replacing a $200 base fee plus a per-person charge. When the new fees start has not been reported.

  2. Council adopts sector caps, 3-2

    Council adopted the overhaul 3-2: four residential sectors capped at between 175 and 250 rentals each, existing rentals counted toward the caps, a waiting list, reapplication by new owners and an emergency contact for every rental, or a fine. A civil-penalties ordinance passed unanimously. The rules take effect January 1, 2027.

  3. Judge rules for the city in owners’ lawsuit

    Judge Christopher Middleton ruled for the city in a suit brought by the Tybee Alliance, finding the city may apply stricter rules to short-term rentals. WTOC reported the case dismissed; WSAV reported the judge denied the plaintiffs’ motion for summary judgment.

    Sources: WTOC, WSAV

  4. Sector caps proposed

    The May draft would have allowed up to 60% of homes to be rentals in the eastern and southern zones, which include the beach and the commercial district, and 30% in the western and northern zones. The adopted caps are set as numbers of rentals instead.

    Source: WTOC

  5. Rental ordinance challenged in court

    A group of property management companies challenged Tybee Island’s short-term vacation rental ordinance in court.

    Source: WTOC

Platform changes that also apply in Tybee Island

Airbnb and Vrbo change their rules for every listing at once. These are the recent ones that touch the turnover and the cleaning fee.

Airbnb’s 15.5% Host Fee Now Comes Out of Your Cleaning Fee Oct 26, 2026
Airbnb’s New Checkout Rules: The Chore List Ends November 20 Oct 22, 2026
Vrbo’s New 12% Commission Takes a Cut of the Cleaning Fee Oct 22, 2026
Hosting in Tybee Island?

Fluffy runs turnover cleaning in Tybee Island to the same 75-point standard it uses in every market, at a flat per-turn rate set after a walkthrough, with a free re-clean if a turn misses the standard.

Request a quote Tybee Island turnover cleaning →
News from other markets
Folly Beach Charleston Charleston County Hilton Head Island Chatham County North Myrtle Beach South Carolina All news

Rules Change. The Turnover Still Has to Happen.

Turnover cleaning in Tybee Island at a flat per-turn rate, set after a walkthrough. Tell us about the property and we reply within one business day.

Request a quote Call (843) 268-8511

Quote within one business dayNo long-term contractFree re-clean guaranteeInsured

Call us Request a quote