Georgia House Bill HB1121

Georgia 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/1/24

Caption

Local government; suspending or prohibiting the continued use of property as a short-term rental unit by a property owner under certain circumstances; prohibit

Impact

The proposed legislation seeks to enhance property owner rights by ensuring that their ability to rent out properties on a short-term basis is protected from local government interference, provided that they comply with local laws. Local governments can still regulate short-term rentals but must demonstrate a justified basis for any prohibitive action. There are concerns about accountability, as local agencies will need to substantiate claims of violations directly linked to a rental operation to take action against a property owner.

Summary

House Bill 1121 aims to regulate the ability of local governments in Georgia to suspend or prohibit the use of properties as short-term rental units. The bill stipulates that once a property has been used as a short-term rental, local governments cannot enact rules that effectively prohibit its use, except under specific circumstances such as repeated violations of generally applicable local laws or failure to maintain necessary permits. This legislation is centered around bolstering property owners' autonomy and limiting local authorities' regulatory reach regarding short-term rentals.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HB1121 include worries over community standards and safety impacted by short-term rentals. Local governments and some community groups argue this bill undermines their ability to enforce regulations designed to govern neighborhood quality of life, noise, and safety associated with transient tenants. Advocates for the bill contend that it prevents localities from treating short-term rental operations unfairly and protects property rights.