Atlanta City Council Rejects Proposal to Ban Short-Term Rentals

ATLANTA — A narrowly divided Atlanta City Council on Monday rejected a proposal that would have banned new short-term rentals across portions of northeast Atlanta, leaving in place the city’s current rules as pressure over neighborhood quality-of-life issues continues to grow.

The measure, introduced by Councilmember Howard Shook, failed on a 7-6 vote. It would have prohibited new short-term rentals in District 7 — a swath of north Buckhead, Lindbergh, and areas bordering Brookhaven — while allowing existing operators to remain.

Supporters of the ban argued that a rapid increase in short-term rentals has strained residential streets, citing noise complaints, traffic issues, and concerns that single-family neighborhoods are being reshaped by commercial usage. Shook said the growth of rentals was “impacting the quality of life for residents” and threatening the character of long-established communities.

Short-term rental operators pushed back. Groups such as the Atlanta Metro Short Term Rental Alliance urged the council to target “bad actors” rather than impose a blanket ban. They also raised due-process and property-rights concerns, warning the measure could face legal challenges.

Opponents also pointed to the economic footprint of the industry. Airbnb reported that guest activity generated about $518 million in GDP and $126.5 million in taxes across the metro area in 2024. Within the city, the company collected and remitted roughly $7.9 million in occupancy taxes last year — revenue that could be affected by new restrictions.

Some operators told councilmembers the policy could spread beyond District 7. “It would just domino into the next neighborhood,” one host said during public comment.

With the vote’s failure, short-term rentals may continue to seek new permits in the district under existing city rules. Councilmembers Dustin Hillis and Byron Amos abstained.

The debate is unlikely to end here. Just months ago, the council approved restrictions on new short-term rentals in Home Park, signaling that other neighborhood-specific proposals may follow. For metro Atlanta residents — particularly homeowners and voters concerned about zoning stability, neighborhood identity, and property rights — the issue remains one of the most closely watched zoning battles inside the city.