Putnam County Could Require Permits For Short-Term Rentals

Putnam County Commissioners will consider implementing a permit system for short-term rental owners.

County Mayor Randy Porter said the trustee’s office and county attorney have worked on creating the permit system for some time.

“We’ve had a problem with folks that are doing the short-term rentals and not paying the hotel-motel tax that’s required at seven percent,” Porter said. “If you own a short-term rental, you’d come to the trustee’s office and get a permit. That allows them to keep up with those rentals and make sure that everyone is paying their hotel-motel tax on those short-term rentals.”

The permit system would apply to properties operating through websites like Airbnb, HomeAway, and other short-term rental services.

Porter said revenue from the county’s hotel-motel tax goes towards tourism, economic development, parks and recreation, and local schools.

The county commission meets Monday evening at the courthouse beginning at 6 p.m.