Forsyth County officials are weighing an ordinance seeking to regulate short-term vacation rentals that have created problems in several residential neighborhoods.

As first presented by county attorney Ken Jarrard last week, the ordinance would set up a permitting system for rentals of less than seven days with a permit possibly costing $300 and a renewal set at $150. Jarrard said the plan would remove any requirement for those renting for less than seven days to convert to a boarding house category, which is not permissible in most zoning designations, in return for requiring permitting. After commissioners discussed a couple of possibilities on permitted rental lengths the commission deferred further consideration to a work session. Jarrard at one point suggested that all temporal length references on renting be removed.

During a public hearing on the matter residents of Lake Lanier-area subdivisions told of loud parties, excessive noise and trash left behind by those who rent homes through short-term rental services during the warm season.

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Stacey Abrams speaks at a rally for Vice President Kamala Harris at Georgia State University’s convocation center in Atlanta on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. Abrams is at the center of speculation over whether she will mount a third campaign for governor. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

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