Short-Term Rental Ordinance Tabled For Further Review In Cherokee

CHEROKEE COUNTY, GA — Cherokee County officials are taking some time to absorb and address public comments received during a hearing on a proposed short-term rental ordinance.

At its June 1 meeting, the Board of Commissioners unanimously approved tabling the decision until the first meeting in July, giving more time for research and review of the draft ordinance.

District 3 Commissioner Benny Carter made the motion to table, which was seconded by District 2 Commissioner Richard Weatherby.

The ordinance is geared at regulating the use of home rentals for parties and short stays by non-residents. Several residents of Lake Arrowhead and Ball Ground shared their concerns about short-term rentals with commissioners, citing experience in their neighborhoods. Some complaints included noise, littering and trespassing. A short-term rental owner spoke saying he welcomed the regulations and would be happy to go through the process to secure a certificate for his property.

Commissioners spent about half an hour listening to public comment during the hearing, and discussed possible edits to the draft ordinance including the number of people allowed to stay per bedroom, at what age children would be considered in that count, special events at a short-term rental and at what point should a certificate be revoked for failure to comply, among other items.

“We are on the right track. Do we have it nailed? I’m not sure,” Chairman Harry Johnston said after the public hearing. “These rentals are allowed now because we don’t prohibit them. This ordinance would be a first layer of regulation that would require licensing that could be revoked due to violation.”

Commissioners also heard a presentation during the work session before the regular meeting regarding setting the millage rate for the 2022 fiscal year. Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Marquis presented the finance department’s suggested millage rate of 8.938, slightly down from the current rate of 8.965. The full rate is made up of Maintenance and Operations at 5.212 mills, Fire Tax at 3.292 and the Parks Bond at 0.434. One mill is equal to $1 per $1,000 of assessed value. The average home value of $303,600 with a standard homestead exemption would see a FY2022 county tax bill of $1,059.37. The county tax bill mailed from the tax commissioner’s office also includes the Cherokee County School District taxes, which is not controlled by the Board of Commissioners.

After the proposed rate is selected later this month and advertised, the board will hold a public hearing on July 6 at 6 p.m., as well as two more public hearings July 20 at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Adoption is expected July 20 at 6 p.m. All meetings are expected to take place at the Cherokee County Administration Building, 1130 Bluffs Parkway, Canton.

Related: Short-Term Rental Ordinance Moves Forward In Cherokee County