In-depth analysis

Should you buy an STR in Tybee Island in 2026?

Selectively. Tybee Island is Savannah’s beach — drive-to leisure from across the Southeast, walkable village, and strong year-round demand thanks to Georgia’s mild winter. $215 ADR at 65% occupancy ($140 RevPAR) is among the strongest economics on the South Atlantic. The 66/100 market score reflects regulatory drag: Tybee operates one of the most active STR density-cap programs in the Southeast, and new licenses in some zones are not currently available.

Regulation: where the city stands

City of Tybee Island — operates an STR license program with zone-specific density caps. New licenses in capped zones are issued only when an existing license is retired.
Chatham County — local option sales tax + hotel/motel tax apply.
License transferability — existing STR licenses generally transfer with property; verify in writing.
Beachfront / R-T (Residential-Tourist) zones — generally permissive within cap.

The density cap is the deal-defining variable. Confirm license eligibility and transferability on the specific parcel before EMD goes hard. See the City of Tybee Island STR licensing page.

The market by the numbers

Metric	Tybee	Notes
Avg ADR	$215	Strong for Georgia coast
Occupancy	65%	Drive-to demand anchor
RevPAR	$140	Top-quartile
Market score	66/100	Cap-program drag
Saturation tier	B	Capped by ordinance

Submarkets that matter

South End / 16th Street — village core; walkable; premium pricing.
Mid-Island — quieter; family demand.
North Beach / Fort Screven — historic; lower density.
Back River — quieter river-side; lower ADR.

The 3 mistakes buyers make here

Assuming you can apply for a new STR license. In capped zones, you cannot. License transferability is what you’re really buying.
Underestimating storm-surge insurance. Tybee is a barrier island; flood and wind coverage materially affect the pro forma.
Modeling Savannah ADR. Tybee runs higher than Savannah city per night but with more seasonality. Comp within Tybee, not within Savannah.

What to do next

Confirm STR license eligibility and transferability before EMD goes hard.
Get a bound STR + flood + wind insurance quote and use it in DSCR Loan Calculator.
Run Comp Analyzer within the same Tybee submarket.
Use Year 1 Cash Needs with hurricane-prep reserves.
Read Licensed-Cap Markets and the Scarcity Premium.

Not investment advice. Verify all regulatory, tax, and insurance information with local authorities and licensed professionals before committing capital.