Short-term-rental rules
Can you Airbnb in Southeast, NY?
Researched and reviewed by Jake Lee, FounderCurrent as of July 2026How this atlas is maintained
Southeast allows whole-home short-term rentals (paid stays under 30 days), but only after two approvals: a conditional use permit from the Planning Board and a rental occupancy permit from the Building Department, renewed every two years. Real conditions apply, including an occupancy cap of five guests or fewer set by bedrooms and septic capacity, one off-street parking space per bedroom, no parties or events, and a contact able to respond within 60 minutes whenever the home is rented. The town overhauled these rules in October 2025 under Local Law No. 7-2025.
What the rules say in Southeast
- Short-term rental defined as a dwelling unit, or portion of a single-family or two-family dwelling, rented for compensation for periods under 30 days (Ch. 108 definitions).
- Permitted town-wide in any legal dwelling unit, but only pursuant to a conditional use permit from the Planning Board (Zoning sec. 138-15.2, added 10-9-2025 by L.L. No. 7-2025).
- A rental occupancy permit from the Building Department is also required before any rental use; STR permits are valid for two years, must be renewed, and are not transferable to a new owner (Ch. 108; sec. 138-56.4A).
- Occupancy is limited to no more than five persons per dwelling unit, or a lower number set by the Planning Board based on sleeping rooms and septic system capacity, whichever is less (Ch. 108 definition; sec. 138-56.4B(2)).
- If on a private septic system, the application needs a septic inspection report dated within two years showing the system functioning, and maximum occupancy is tied to tank and leach field size (Ch. 108).
- An owner or managing agent must be available to respond within 60 minutes to complaints, 24 hours a day, the entire time the property is rented (Ch. 108).
- The Planning Board may require at least one off-street parking space per bedroom; no new driveway access to the street is permitted (sec. 138-56.4B(1)).
- Special events such as weddings, parties, film production, and concerts are not allowed at short-term rental properties (sec. 138-56.4B(3)).
- STRs are subject to inspection by the Building Inspector, Fire Code Inspector, or Code Enforcement Officer at any time; uncorrected noncompliance results in permit revocation (sec. 138-56.4B(7)).
- Violations carry fines of $500 to $1,500 for a first offense, up to $5,000 for repeat offenses within five years, and each week of continued violation is a separate violation (Ch. 108 penalties).
- A dwelling leased for 30+ days whose tenant then sublets it for periods under 30 days is itself treated as a short-term rental and needs a permit (Ch. 108 definition).
Sources: Town of Southeast Code Ch. 108, Rental Housing, Registration of (eCode360); Town of Southeast Zoning sec. 138-15.2, Short-term rentals (eCode360); Town of Southeast Zoning sec. 138-56.4, Short-term rentals supplementary regulations (eCode360); Town of Southeast Town Board minutes, 9-25-2025 (public hearing on STR local law). 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.
Southeast short-term-rental FAQ
Can I run a short-term rental (Airbnb) in Southeast, NY?
Southeast allows whole-home short-term rentals (paid stays under 30 days), but only after two approvals: a conditional use permit from the Planning Board and a rental occupancy permit from the Building Department, renewed every two years. Real conditions apply, including an occupancy cap of five guests or fewer set by bedrooms and septic capacity, one off-street parking space per bedroom, no parties or events, and a contact able to respond within 60 minutes whenever the home is rented. The town overhauled these rules in October 2025 under Local Law No. 7-2025.
Do I need a permit or registration to run an STR in Southeast?
Permitted town-wide in any legal dwelling unit, but only pursuant to a conditional use permit from the Planning Board (Zoning sec. 138-15.2, added 10-9-2025 by L.L. No. 7-2025).
What taxes apply to a short-term rental in Southeast, 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 Southeast?
Palisade Stays launches and runs short-term rentals for owners end to end. Where a short-term rental works in Southeast, we can handle setup, listing, guest operations, and turnovers. Start with a quick property-fit assessment.
Thinking about a short-term rental in Southeast?
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.
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