House Hacking SFR Not Legal in My County?

Question

I recently asked the AICP (zoning officer) for Bartow County (north of Atlanta, Ga) about the process of renting out rooms in a single family home for house hacking and what I would need to do. This was his response:

I planned on house hacking with a 4+ bedroom SFR near Cartersville, Ga, but it does not look like it is legal in the county. Has anyone else come across this problem or has an idea as to how I could make it work? Also, is house hacking a SFR with the rent by the room strategy legal in any county near Atlanta, Ga? Any information would be greatly appreciated, Thanks!

Benjamin Freed · Answer

@Mike Williams

I emailed him back a follow up question which addressed how many non-related individuals can live in the same single family home and he did not mention a max number so I am assuming whatever the state maximum is that's what it would probably be. But I believe Mid-term and long term rentals with a single family home are both acceptable in Bartow County and would not require a license like a short term rental does.

Lawrence Potts · Answer

I think the individual that responded in that picture you sent misunderstood what you were asking…they were referring to short term rentals. No where does it say you couldn’t rent the rooms out for long term tenants. All of the rules they stated were in regards to getting a short term rental permit. So I think you are fine to proceed. I think the only places you couldn’t do a house hack rent by the bedroom for long term is in an HOA that has rules for renting. I think you’re good to go!

Michael Dumler · Answer

@Benjamin Freed, the zoning officer doesn't mention anything about long-term tenants. He only seems to be referring to STR ordinances. If you're house hacking with long-term roommates you'll be fine. Some counties limit the number of non-related occupants to 3 so maybe you can check on this ordinance specifically. As noted above, I would stay away from HOA communities, they would be the ones to crack down on your house hack much more rigorously than the county.

Ryan Thomson · Answer

@Benjamin Carver I agree. He seems to have misunderstood you. I would ask him this "How many unrelated people can live in a Single Family Residence in {insert area}?"

This will tell you how many people you can have renting your rooms long term. Most places are 4 or 5. And the only way the city is going to know is if you piss off your neighbors by being loud or having lots of cars parked everywhere and they report you.

Allan Smith · Answer

Rent it out by the month instead.  Or on 12 month leases.

Ryan Thomson · Answer

Nice!

Mike Williams · Answer

Awesome news. Glad to hear it will work. Good luck with the house hack!

Mike Williams · Answer

Benjamin,

Would love to hear if you called him back and asked for specifically long term rental?

Benjamin Freed · Answer

Thanks for the informative responses @Lawrence Potts, @Ryan Lesley, and @Michael Dumler. That's great news to hear I should still be able to do Mid-term/Long-term rentals with a SFR in this area!

Ryan Lesley · Answer

Hey @Benjamin Freed,

yea so like others have stated, those rules apply if you're trying to rent less than 30 days, so anything over that is not considered a short term rental.

also, depending on your location, mid term rentals are a really great cash flow opportunity. My favorite sources that I know of is the much talked about Travel Nurses, and less talked about contracts (insurance, temporary housing)

The BEST Mid Term Rental Strategy You Probably Aren't Using | Corporate Rentals

Hope that helps, and best of luck 🤝🍀

House Hacking SFR Not Legal in My County?

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