Short-term-rental rules
Can you Airbnb in Cortlandt, NY?
Researched and reviewed by Jake Lee, FounderCurrent as of July 2026How this atlas is maintained
The Town of Cortlandt bans short-term rentals of homes: Town Code Chapter 281 (adopted 2019) strictly prohibits all transient rentals of 30 days or less in dwellings, permitting transient occupancy only in licensed hotels and motels. The sole residential exception is an owner-occupied bed-and-breakfast (up to 4 guest bedrooms) operating under a renewable ZBA special permit per zoning §307-65.2. This applies to the unincorporated town; properties inside the Villages of Croton-on-Hudson or Buchanan follow their own village codes.
What the rules say in Cortlandt
- §281-2A: "All transient/short-term rentals, not permitted or excepted by this section, are strictly prohibited," including any dwelling with three or more rental units and owner-occupied dwellings not excepted.
- §281-1 definitions: "Transient (short-term)" is occupancy of a unit or property for not more than 30 days; "nontransient (long-term)" is occupancy exceeding 30 consecutive days.
- §281-2D, E, F: single- and two-family owner-occupied properties, landlords of single- and two-family properties with three or fewer rental units, and dwellings with three or more rental units may ONLY engage in nontransient/long-term rentals (no permit needed for long-term rentals).
- §281-2C: transient rentals are permitted only in hotels (at least 3 floors, 30+ guest units) and motels (3+ guest units, no in-room kitchens), each requiring an annual Town operating permit; long-term stays in hotels are capped at 90 days per two quarters with narrow exceptions.
- §281-2G exempts bed-and-breakfasts holding a special permit; zoning §307-65.2 requires the B&B to be an existing detached single-family dwelling occupied by the owner as their legal principal residence, max 4 guest bedrooms, generally a 40,000 sq ft minimum lot, morning meal to overnight guests only, 1 off-street space per guest bedroom, and a 3-year renewable special permit.
- Local Law No. 4 of 2025 (Accessory Dwelling Units): transient (short-term) rental of the single-family dwelling and/or the ADU is prohibited, and renting individual bedrooms is prohibited (cross-references §281-2D).
- Rental Dwelling Registry and Occupancy Law (L.L. 6-2010, eCode360 "Rental Property" chapter): dwellings with 3+ rental units must register with the Town and pass periodic fire/building inspections (long-term rentals only per Ch. 281).
- §281-11 sets penalties for violations of Chapter 281.
- Jurisdiction note: this covers the unincorporated Town of Cortlandt (Cortlandt Manor, Montrose, Verplanck, Crugers); the Villages of Croton-on-Hudson and Buchanan have independent village codes.
Sources: Town of Cortlandt Code Ch. 281, Transient and Nontransient Lodging (L.L. 3-2019), eCode360 (full text); Town of Cortlandt Code Ch. 307 Zoning, §307-65.2 Bed-and-breakfast special permit standards, eCode360 (full text); Town of Cortlandt Local Law No. 4 of 2025, Accessory Dwelling Units (town website PDF); Town of Cortlandt Code, Rental Property chapter (Rental Dwelling Registry and Occupancy Law, L.L. 6-2010), 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.
Cortlandt short-term-rental FAQ
Can I run a short-term rental (Airbnb) in Cortlandt, NY?
The Town of Cortlandt bans short-term rentals of homes: Town Code Chapter 281 (adopted 2019) strictly prohibits all transient rentals of 30 days or less in dwellings, permitting transient occupancy only in licensed hotels and motels. The sole residential exception is an owner-occupied bed-and-breakfast (up to 4 guest bedrooms) operating under a renewable ZBA special permit per zoning §307-65.2. This applies to the unincorporated town; properties inside the Villages of Croton-on-Hudson or Buchanan follow their own village codes.
Do I need a permit or registration to run an STR in Cortlandt?
§281-2A: "All transient/short-term rentals, not permitted or excepted by this section, are strictly prohibited," including any dwelling with three or more rental units and owner-occupied dwellings not excepted.
What taxes apply to a short-term rental in Cortlandt, New York?
Short-term stays in New York are generally subject to state and local sales tax, and many counties add a local occupancy (hotel) tax, often collected for you by the booking platform. A tax professional can confirm what applies to your property.
Can Palisade Stays manage a short-term rental in Cortlandt?
Short-term rentals face real limits in Cortlandt (see the status above), so it may not be the right play. Palisade Stays can still help you understand what's possible for your property, including a compliant mid-term or longer rental, and run it if it's a fit. Start with a quick assessment.
Navigating Cortlandt's rules?
We'll help you find out what's actually possible for your Cortlandt property, short-term, mid-term, or otherwise, and run it if it's a fit.
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