Meeting Story

ATHENS, GA — The Athens-Clarke County Planning Commission voted 4-3 Thursday night to recommend a set of amendments to the county’s short-term rental (STR) ordinance, including a key revision that would extend the sunset period for non-compliant operators from two years to five.

The decision came after more than an hour of public comment and commissioner discussion centered around finding a balance between preserving neighborhood character and protecting property owners’ rights. The proposed amendments will now move to the mayor and commission, who are expected to vote at their May 6 meeting.

The most debated amendment - the sunset period extension - would give legal non-conforming STRs (those operating after the 2024 ordinance without permits) a more extended period to comply or cease operations. County data presented by Planning Director Bruce Lonnee revealed that as of May 1, 1,482 STRs were operating in Athens-Clarke County, with 48% operating without permits. Only 107 permits had been received since the 2024 ordinance went into effect.

The sunset period would allow operators more time to recover investments, explained Lonnee, especially if they were relying on STR income and started prior to any regulatory framework.

Public comments revealed a sharp divide among Athens-Clarke County residents. Sid Badakhsh spoke passionately about the erosion of community ties.

“I can’t go knock on the door and say, ‘Can I have a bowl of sugar?’” Badakhsh said. “That concept is gone. The whole concept of neighbor is dead.”

Many others, including STR owners and real estate professionals, pushed back against the regulations.

“We should be protecting those who live in Athens who are paying property taxes,” said Joey Tucker, an Athens resident. “When families come in, they need a safe place to stay.” 

Broker Charles Upchurch, with 40 years of experience in Athens real estate, called on the commission to “do away with the sunset clause,” arguing that the ordinance penalizes homeowners who followed the rules before the county changed them.

Commissioner Kristen Morales, who motioned to recommend approval of the amendments, acknowledged both sides but focused on giving staff more time to work out enforcement.

“We’re just basically giving some more time to get this right,” Morales said. 

Not all commissioners were on board. Alexander Sams voted against the recommendation, saying, “I didn’t vote for any of this the first time, partially because I knew it was going to create a mess.”

Other amendments included redefining “parcel” to align with tax parcel data, which Lonnee explained would better account for condominium ownership, and refining the requirements for rental operators to notify neighbors of their use.

Commissioners and county attorney Austin Jackson also discussed possible enforcement models, referencing conversations with the City of Atlanta, where similar STR regulations are in place but have faced challenges in implementation.

The Planning Commission’s recommendation is non-binding but illustrates a growing urgency to balance tourism-driven income with neighborhood livability in Athens.