Short-Term Rental Guide For Jekyll Island

Thinking about turning your Jekyll Island home into a short-term rental? You are not alone. With steady vacation demand and a close-knit island community, success comes down to getting permits, taxes, and operations right from day one. In this guide, you will learn the essential steps to launch and manage a compliant, guest-friendly rental on Jekyll Island, along with practical checklists and owner tips. Let’s dive in.

How STR rules work on Jekyll Island

Jekyll Island is managed by the Jekyll Island Authority. This means island rules and property use standards may differ from other parts of Glynn County. You should expect Authority oversight on permitting, safety, occupancy, parking, and good-neighbor standards.

Who regulates what

• Jekyll Island Authority sets island rules that may include STR permits, occupancy and parking rules, safety standards, and enforcement.
• Glynn County may levy local hotel or lodging taxes and can require business registration in some cases.
• The Georgia Department of Revenue oversees state sales and lodging tax registration and filings.
• Local fire and safety officials enforce life-safety requirements like smoke alarms and egress.

What to confirm first

• Whether your property is eligible for STR use under JIA rules and any HOA or deed restrictions.
• Whether a JIA-issued STR permit or registration is required, what it costs, and how often it renews.
• Which taxes apply to your bookings and which agencies require registration.
• If booking platforms collect any taxes for you and what remains your responsibility.

Permit and prelaunch checklist

Before you list, complete these steps to reduce risk and avoid delays.

• Verify STR eligibility for your specific address under JIA rules and neighborhood covenants.
• Obtain any required JIA STR permit or registration. Keep your permit number on file.
• Register with the Georgia Department of Revenue for sales and lodging tax accounts as needed.
• Confirm any Glynn County lodging tax or business registration obligations.
• Secure insurance that covers short-term rental use. A policy endorsement or commercial STR coverage is recommended.
• Designate a local on-island contact available 24 hours a day. Share this contact with guests and neighbors.
• Install and test required life-safety equipment. Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and a fire extinguisher are standard.
• Build a Guest Information Packet with house rules, parking and trash instructions, emergency contacts, and an evacuation map.

Operational rules and recordkeeping

Compliance is easier when you maintain clear records and follow consistent procedures.

• Keep permits, renewal notices, insurance certificates, and local contact details in a central file.
• Maintain occupancy logs and reservation records for inspection and tax audits.
• Use cleaning and inspection checklists for each turnover. Save dated photos of pre and post-stay conditions.
• Track tax collection and remittance by period. Save platform remittance reports where applicable.
• Keep an incident and complaint log. Note guest issues, neighbor concerns, and repairs.

Guest-facing essentials

Set clear expectations to protect your permit and your peace of mind.

• House rules should cover occupancy limits, quiet hours, parking, trash and recycling, pets and smoking, and amenity use.
• Arrival and checkout instructions should be simple. Include where to park and how to handle garbage days.
• Post your local contact number in the home and in your digital guidebook. Provide an escalation path to a manager.
• Explain your security deposit or damage protection policy. Outline timelines for claims and resolutions.
• Share a welcome guide that highlights good-neighbor behavior, wildlife awareness, and island speed limits.

Taxes you may owe

Short-term lodging often triggers state sales tax and local lodging taxes. You should also confirm whether any island-specific fees apply.

• Georgia state sales tax can apply to short-term stays. Register with the Georgia Department of Revenue if you collect taxable rent.
• Glynn County may impose a local hotel or lodging tax on gross rental receipts.
• Some or all invoice components can be taxable. This may include nightly rate, cleaning, and pet fees. Verify what applies.
• Keep account numbers, filing schedules, and remittance confirmations in your tax binder.

Platform collection versus host responsibility

• Airbnb, Vrbo, and others sometimes collect and remit certain taxes, but coverage varies by tax type and jurisdiction.
• You remain responsible for correct registration and full compliance. Save platform reports that show what they remitted.
• Reconcile platform collections with your returns. File on time and retain records in case of audit.

Financial planning for investors

A simple 12-month proforma helps you judge feasibility and set expectations.

• Forecast monthly occupancy and average daily rate by season. Include peak summer, holidays, and shoulder months.
• Estimate fixed costs like mortgage, insurance, property taxes, HOA or JIA fees, permits, and utilities.
• Add variable costs such as housekeeping, linens, maintenance, management fees, platform commissions, and taxes.
• Subtract all expenses to estimate net operating income. Stress test for slower off-season months or unexpected repairs.

Management options on Jekyll Island

Choose the model that fits your time and desired level of involvement.

• Self-manage for lower fees if you are ready to handle guest communication, turnovers, and emergencies.
• Build a local in-house team if you own multiple properties and want tight control over quality.
• Hire a professional manager for full-service support. Expect fees as a percent of revenue plus pass-through services.
• Hybrid models split duties. For example, you handle pricing and marketing while a local team manages cleanings and 24 hour calls.

Good-neighbor practices and safety

Positive neighbor relations protect your license and your reputation.

• Provide neighbors and JIA with your on-island contact card. Respond quickly to concerns.
• Enforce quiet hours and occupancy limits. Post reminders in the home and include a penalty structure in your rules.
• Manage trash carefully. Provide clear instructions, a pickup schedule, and overflow solutions.
• Control parking by stating the maximum number of vehicles and where to park.
• Reduce noise with soft furnishings and simple signage. Consider non-recording noise monitors that alert you to decibel spikes.
• Keep an emergency contact list posted for police non-emergency, fire and EMS, JIA office, and key vendors.

Templates to build now

Create these documents to streamline operations and support compliance.

• Rental agreement and house rules that guests sign or accept at booking.
• Guest welcome packet with maps, local rules, parking and trash info, and emergency steps.
• On-island contact card and escalation plan for neighbors and JIA.
• Cleaning checklist and property inventory with photos.
• Tax and permit binder with permit numbers, insurance certificates, and filing schedules.
• Incident report form for damage, complaints, and safety events.

Your next steps

• Contact the Jekyll Island Authority to confirm your property’s STR eligibility and permit requirements.
• Register for required state and county tax accounts and confirm platform tax coverage.
• Secure STR-ready insurance and document your coverage.
• Build your compliance and operations binders. Set up checklists and response procedures.
• Decide on a management model. If you prefer turnkey support, align with a local team that offers 24 hour responsiveness.

Ready to evaluate a purchase, launch an STR, or hand off management to a local expert who answers the phone? Let’s talk about your goals and a plan that fits your property and budget. Connect with Linda Williams for a free, no-pressure consultation.

FAQs

Do I need a JIA permit to operate a short-term rental on Jekyll Island?

• Many managed islands require an STR permit or registration. You should confirm permit rules and renewals with the Jekyll Island Authority for your specific address.

Who enforces short-term rental rules on Jekyll Island?

• The Jekyll Island Authority enforces island rules, while county and state agencies handle taxes and safety codes.

Will Airbnb or Vrbo collect all required taxes for my Jekyll Island rental?

• Platforms often collect some taxes, but coverage varies. You must register where required, verify what the platform remits, and file any remaining returns.

Do I need a local contact or property manager for my STR on Jekyll Island?

• A local 24 hour contact is often required and is best practice for quick issue resolution and good-neighbor relations.

What safety items should my Jekyll Island STR include?

• Install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, provide a fire extinguisher, and ensure safe egress. Confirm any additional requirements with local fire and safety officials.