The moss-draped squares of downtown Savannah sit just a short drive from the marshes and rental cottages of unincorporated Chatham County, an area that has become one of the Lowcountry's most active short-term vacation rental markets. That market is now on pause. On Friday, July 10, 2026, the Chatham County Board of Commissioners voted to temporarily stop accepting new short-term vacation rental (STVR) applications while the county works on updated long-term rules.
Here is a clear, up-to-date look at what the moratorium actually says, why commissioners passed it, and what comes next.
What the Moratorium Does
The moratorium pauses the county from accepting or processing any new STVR licenses, permits, or applications in unincorporated Chatham County. It does not apply within the city limits of Savannah, Tybee Island, or other incorporated municipalities in the county, each of which regulates short-term rentals separately.
Importantly, the pause is not retroactive. It does not affect existing STVR license renewals, and it does not apply to applications that were already submitted before the vote took place.
The measure passed on an 8-1 vote. District 1 Commissioner Wayne Noha cast the lone no vote after his motion to push the effective date to August 1, giving pending applicants more time to adjust, failed to gain support.
How Long the Pause Lasts
The moratorium took effect immediately upon passage and is set to sunset on November 7, 2026, roughly 120 days from the vote. Commissioners can vote to extend or shorten that window before it expires, so the November date is a target rather than a guarantee.
Why Commissioners Passed It
County leaders describe the moratorium as a time-out, not a permanent ban. Board Chairman Chester Ellis said the goal is to give the county room to build workable long-term regulations rather than revisit the issue again down the road. District 4 Commissioner Brian Hussey, who represents an area between Savannah and Tybee Island with a significant concentration of rental homes, said the pause allows time to gather public input and craft guidelines that work for both STVR owners and their neighbors.
The push for new rules follows months of community concern. A proposed amendment to the county's STVR ordinance has been tabled since a May 22 vote, after two community meetings raised objections. That tabled proposal would prohibit STVR licenses within 500 feet of one another and restrict occupancy above the rental's stated limit between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Much of the concern stems from reports of large, disruptive gatherings at rental properties in unincorporated areas, including an incident last September in which an unauthorized party at a Whitefield Avenue rental ended in shots fired into a neighboring home.
How This Fits the Broader Regional Picture
Chatham County isn't regulating STVRs in a vacuum. The City of Savannah rolled out new tracking software in 2024 to help identify and enforce against unlicensed rentals. Tybee Island has also been reviewing its own STVR rules this year, including a possible cap on the number of short-term rentals allowed in residential areas. Short-term rental policy has been an active topic across the Savannah area for some time, and this moratorium is one piece of a larger, ongoing conversation among local governments.
What We Still Don't Know
Chatham County has not yet released the specifics of what a permanent STVR ordinance will look like. The tabled May proposal offers some clues, spacing requirements between properties and stricter nighttime occupancy limits, but commissioners have indicated they intend to study the issue further before finalizing anything. Until a new ordinance is adopted, the moratorium simply keeps the county from issuing new licenses in unincorporated areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the moratorium affect existing STVR licenses? No. The moratorium only pauses new applications. Existing licenses can still be renewed as usual.
Does this apply inside Savannah or Tybee Island? No. The moratorium applies only to unincorporated Chatham County. Savannah and Tybee Island each set their own STVR rules separately.
When does the moratorium end? It is scheduled to sunset on November 7, 2026, though the Board of Commissioners can vote to extend or shorten that timeline.
What happens to applications submitted before the vote? Applications submitted before the July 10 vote are not affected by the pause and continue to be processed.
Is this a permanent ban on short-term rentals? No. County officials have described it as a temporary pause intended to give them time to develop updated long-term regulations, not a permanent prohibition.
About The Agency Savannah
The Agency Savannah is part of a global real estate network known for its local expertise and deep understanding of the neighborhoods it serves, from downtown's historic squares to the marsh-front communities of unincorporated Chatham County. Whether you're buying, selling, or simply trying to make sense of a changing regulatory landscape, our team stays closely tuned to local policy so you don't have to. Reach out to The Agency Savannah to talk through what these changes could mean for your property or your search.
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