Short-term-rental rules
Can you Airbnb in Beacon, NY?
Researched and reviewed by Jake Lee, FounderCurrent as of July 2026How this atlas is maintained
Beacon allows short-term rentals only in the host's occupied primary residence, with a city permit and Building Department inspection. Renting out an entire dwelling unit is capped at 100 rental days per calendar year and requires a designated agent available 24 hours a day who can respond in person within two hours. A whole-home rental that is not the owner's or tenant's primary residence is unlawful, so a typical dedicated whole-home Airbnb investment property does not qualify.
What the rules say in Beacon
- Permit required: it is unlawful to use, operate, rent, or lease any property as a short-term rental (occupancy under 30 consecutive days) without first obtaining a short-term rental permit from the Building Department, and the permit must be obtained before the unit is advertised (Sec. 223-26.5(C), (E)(1)).
- Occupied primary residence required: the property must be the primary residence of the owner or tenant at all times during the permit term; non-owner-occupied properties cannot be permitted (Sec. 223-26.5(G)).
- Whole-unit day cap: short-term rental of an entire dwelling unit is limited to 100 rental days in any one calendar year, and the host must produce platform statements and a certified letter of rental days on request (Sec. 223-26.5(H)(4)).
- Whole-unit agent requirement: renting the entire unit requires a responsible person or agent with the right to enter the dwelling, available 24 hours a day and capable of responding in person within 2 hours of notification from the City (Sec. 223-26.5(E)(4)(f), (H)(1)).
- Permits run 2 years and are renewable; the Building Department inspects the property at initial application and before every renewal, and noncompliant units must stop renting until corrected (Sec. 223-26.5(E)(5), (F)).
- Application proof of residency: requires proof of NYS STAR credit or STAR exemption for the property plus a utility bill in the applicant's name; a tenant's application must be signed by the landlord (Sec. 223-26.5(E)(3), (E)(4)(a)-(b)).
- STRs are permitted in all zoning districts, in one-family, two-family, accessory-apartment, and multifamily dwellings; multifamily permits can be revoked after 3 substantiated complaints in 12 months (Sec. 223-26.5(D), (K)(1)(f)).
- Listings must include the permit number, no events such as weddings or concerts, and the City maintains a public list of permitted STR units updated every 6 months (Sec. 223-26.5(H)(3), (H)(5), (J)).
- Permit fees are set by the City fee schedule (amount not stated in the code text); the City's Building Department page links the current 2025 permit application.
Sources: City of Beacon Code Sec. 223-26.5 Short-Term Rentals (official code text PDF, L.L. 6-2020); City of Beacon Building Department: Short-Term Rental permits (beaconny.gov). 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.
Beacon short-term-rental FAQ
Can I run a short-term rental (Airbnb) in Beacon, NY?
Beacon allows short-term rentals only in the host's occupied primary residence, with a city permit and Building Department inspection. Renting out an entire dwelling unit is capped at 100 rental days per calendar year and requires a designated agent available 24 hours a day who can respond in person within two hours. A whole-home rental that is not the owner's or tenant's primary residence is unlawful, so a typical dedicated whole-home Airbnb investment property does not qualify.
Do I need a permit or registration to run an STR in Beacon?
Permit required: it is unlawful to use, operate, rent, or lease any property as a short-term rental (occupancy under 30 consecutive days) without first obtaining a short-term rental permit from the Building Department, and the permit must be obtained before the unit is advertised (Sec. 223-26.5(C), (E)(1)).
What taxes apply to a short-term rental in Beacon, 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 Beacon?
Short-term rentals face real limits in Beacon (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 Beacon's rules?
We'll help you find out what's actually possible for your Beacon property, short-term, mid-term, or otherwise, and run it if it's a fit.
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