Short-term-rental rules
Can you Airbnb in Rochester, NY?
Researched and reviewed by Jake Lee, Founder of Palisade StaysCurrent as of July 2026How this atlas is maintained
The Town of Rochester regulates STRs under Zoning Chapter 140, Sec. 140-26A (Short-Term Transient Rentals, Local Law 3 of 2021), requiring a permit issued by the Code Enforcement Officer. There is a cap on new non-owner-occupied permits, while owner-occupied units are not capped. Existing operators had 90 days from the law's effective date to apply, and a nonrefundable application plus inspection fee applies per unit.
The operator's read
Can I run a short-term rental in Rochester, NY?
Go, with conditions
The rule that decides it: Cap on new non-owner-occupied permits; owner-occupied units not capped.
- What does Rochester actually require?
- STR permit required from the Code Enforcement Officer (Ch. 140 Sec. 140-26A, Local Law 3 of 2021). Nonrefundable application and inspection fee per dwelling unit. The governing text is Zoning Chapter 140, Sec. 140-26A (Short-Term Transient Rentals).
- What stands in the way in Rochester?
- Beyond the cap above, nothing further is recorded for Rochester.
- What does it cost to get permitted in Rochester?
- Rochester's ordinance does not publish a fee schedule in the sources we hold. We confirm current fees with the town before you budget for them.
- How long does approval take in Rochester?
- Rochester's ordinance sets no published processing time, which is true of most towns in this region. We confirm the clerk's current turnaround before you commit to a date, because an unbooked opening season costs more than the permit does.
What would you do with a property in Rochester?
Workable. Confirm the current permit position with the town before you commit, then treat compliance as the first operating task rather than an afterthought. Most of the risk in Rochester is administrative, not structural.
What the rules say in Rochester
- STR permit required from the Code Enforcement Officer (Ch. 140 Sec. 140-26A, Local Law 3 of 2021)
- Cap on new non-owner-occupied permits; owner-occupied units not capped
- Nonrefundable application and inspection fee per dwelling unit
Sources: Town of Rochester Local Law 3 of 2021 (eCode360 PDF); Town of Rochester Code Table of Contents (eCode360). Last reviewed 2026-07.
How short-term rentals are regulated in New York
- New York has no single statewide short-term-rental ban. Towns, villages, and cities set their own rules through local ordinances and zoning, so rules can differ sharply between neighboring municipalities in the same county.
- Short stays in New York are generally subject to state and local sales tax, and many counties add a local occupancy (hotel/motel) tax, often collected by the booking platform on the host's behalf.
- Common local controls include permits or registration, primary-residence requirements, and zoning limits on which districts allow short-term use. In New York, a town and a village inside it can each have their own rule.
- Rules change. An ordinance can be added or amended at any time. Always confirm the current rule with the municipality before listing.
Thinking about a short-term rental in Rochester?
Palisade Stays launches and runs short-term rentals for owners end to end. Tell us about your property and we'll see if it's a fit.
Nearby Ulster towns