Short-term-rental rules
Can you Airbnb in Cornwall, NY?
Researched and reviewed by Jake Lee, FounderCurrent as of July 2026How this atlas is maintained
The Town of Cornwall allows short-term rentals only in owner-occupied single-family homes, meaning the property must be the record owner's own domicile, so a typical investor-owned whole-home Airbnb does not qualify. Owners renting their own home must register with the Town Building Department, and renting the entire dwelling for more than 14 days per calendar year additionally requires a short-term rental permit with an inspection. Violations carry fines up to $250 per violation plus a civil penalty of $250 per day.
What the rules say in Cornwall
- Short-term rental is defined as offering any residential dwelling, or space therein, for a fee for a period of less than 30 days, expressly including Airbnb and Vrbo listings; month-to-month tenancies are excluded (§ 120-2).
- Only single-family dwellings may be used as short-term rental property; short-term rental of two- or three-family dwellings or multiple dwellings is not permitted (§ 120-3A).
- Only owner-occupied property may be used for short-term rentals, and owner-occupied means property the record owner maintains as his or her domicile (§ 120-3B, § 120-2). This effectively bars non-owner-occupied whole-home STRs.
- All short-term rental property must be registered with the Town Building Department, including a notarized statement that the property is owner occupied; registration lapses on a change of ownership and the new owner must re-register (§ 120-3C, § 120-4).
- A short-term rental permit is required to rent more than one bedroom or the entire dwelling for more than 14 days per calendar year; whole-home rentals of 14 days or less per year, and single-bedroom rentals, need registration but not a permit unless the property hosts parties or events (§ 120-3E, § 120-3F).
- Using the property as a venue for parties or events (hosting six or more nonoccupants for a celebration or socialization) requires both a short-term rental permit and Planning Board site plan approval (§ 120-2, § 120-3D).
- Permit applications require a floor plan, proposed occupancy limits, proof of off-street parking for at least one vehicle per rental, proof of no open zoning or Building Code violations, and a Building Inspector inspection; permits run at most two years, expire December 31 of the year after issuance, and are non-transferable (§ 120-5).
- Occupancy is capped at no more than three adults per bedroom, and State Building and Fire Safety Code maximums may not be exceeded (§ 120-3G(1)).
- Penalties: conviction carries a fine of up to $250 per violation or up to 15 days imprisonment or both, each day is a separate violation, plus a civil penalty of $250 per day; the Town Board can suspend STR rights up to six months for a first violation and longer for repeats (§ 120-8, § 120-6).
Sources: Town of Cornwall Code Chapter 120, Short-Term Rentals, full text (eCode360, archived copy read in full); Town of Cornwall Code Chapter 120, Short-Term Rentals (live eCode360 page, current provisions corroborated via search excerpts). 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.
Cornwall short-term-rental FAQ
Can I run a short-term rental (Airbnb) in Cornwall, NY?
The Town of Cornwall allows short-term rentals only in owner-occupied single-family homes, meaning the property must be the record owner's own domicile, so a typical investor-owned whole-home Airbnb does not qualify. Owners renting their own home must register with the Town Building Department, and renting the entire dwelling for more than 14 days per calendar year additionally requires a short-term rental permit with an inspection. Violations carry fines up to $250 per violation plus a civil penalty of $250 per day.
Do I need a permit or registration to run an STR in Cornwall?
Only single-family dwellings may be used as short-term rental property; short-term rental of two- or three-family dwellings or multiple dwellings is not permitted (§ 120-3A).
What taxes apply to a short-term rental in Cornwall, 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 Cornwall?
Short-term rentals face real limits in Cornwall (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 Cornwall's rules?
We'll help you find out what's actually possible for your Cornwall property, short-term, mid-term, or otherwise, and run it if it's a fit.
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