Current STVR Rules and Regulations in Tybee Island

Beginning January 1, 2027, Tybee Island’s new STVR rules will introduce sector caps for residential properties in R-1, R-1B and R-2. The caps are 175 in Sector 1, 250 in Sector 2, 220 in Sector 3 and 180 in Sector 4. Once a sector reaches its cap, new applicants will have to wait until a certificate becomes available.

Existing legal STVRs will have an 18-month transition period for property sales. During that period, a qualifying buyer will have one opportunity to apply for an STVR certificate without being subject to the sector cap, but the certificate does not automatically transfer with the property. The new owner must apply within 15 days of the transfer. Separate provisions apply to certain qualifying family transfers, trusts and succession situations.
 

The City will also have greater authority to verify bedroom counts, parking and property records when reviewing STVR applications. Owner-occupied STVRs can remain outside the sector caps if they meet the requirements, and enforcement will become stricter for repeat violations, unpaid citations and false information.

For buyers, the biggest takeaway is simple: do not assume that buying a property currently operating as a vacation rental means you can continue operating it as one. Before closing, confirm the property’s zoning, sector, legal STVR status, recognized bedroom count, parking requirements and eligibility for a new certificate