Short-term-rental rules
Can you Airbnb in Highlands, NY?
Researched and reviewed by Jake Lee, FounderCurrent as of July 2026How this atlas is maintained
The Town of Highlands has no short-term rental law on its books: we read the full town code (current through November 24, 2025) and found no STR permit, registration, day cap, or prohibition. The catch is that its zoning only allows uses listed in its use table, short-term rental is not a listed use, and the only transient lodging allowed in residential zones is an owner-occupied bed-and-breakfast by special exception permit. Because the code is silent on whole-home stays under 30 days, we have not confirmed how the town actually treats them, and we will verify your specific address with the town Building Department directly.
What to confirm for Highlands
- Whether the municipality requires a short-term-rental permit or registration
- Any owner-occupancy requirement (must you live there?)
- Minimum-stay rules or a cap on rented nights per year
- Which zoning districts allow short-term use
- Local registration, inspection, or tax obligations
No primary-source ordinance confirmed yet, last checked 2026-07. This is a plain-English summary for owners, reviewed periodically, not legal advice. Ordinances change; confirm the current rule with the municipality (and, where needed, a qualified professional) before you list. Palisade can help you verify.
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.
Highlands short-term-rental FAQ
Can I run a short-term rental (Airbnb) in Highlands, NY?
We haven't yet confirmed Highlands's current short-term-rental ordinance from a primary source. The Town of Highlands has no short-term rental law on its books: we read the full town code (current through November 24, 2025) and found no STR permit, registration, day cap, or prohibition. The catch is that its zoning only allows uses listed in its use table, short-term rental is not a listed use, and the only transient lodging allowed in residential zones is an owner-occupied bed-and-breakfast by special exception permit. Because the code is silent on whole-home stays under 30 days, we have not confirmed how the town actually treats them, and we will verify your specific address with the town Building Department directly. The honest answer: confirm with the municipality, we can do that legwork with you.
Do I need a permit or registration to run an STR in Highlands?
Requirements vary and change. Highlands's permit/registration status should be confirmed with the municipality, see the sources on this page, or ask us to verify.
What taxes apply to a short-term rental in Highlands, 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 Highlands?
Short-term rentals face real limits in Highlands (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 Highlands's rules?
We'll help you find out what's actually possible for your Highlands property, short-term, mid-term, or otherwise, and run it if it's a fit.
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