Can you Airbnb in Stanford, NY?

What the rules say in Stanford

• Sec. 164-19.6(C) and Sec. 164-8(E): STRs are permitted as a principal or accessory use to a single-family, duplex, two-family, multiple-dwelling, or multi-use residence in all zoning districts (CR, AR, RR, RC, LR) - no owner-occupancy requirement.
• Sec. 164-59 (definition): an STR is an entire dwelling unit or portion thereof rented for fewer than 31 consecutive days, lodging only; Bed and Breakfast Establishments are regulated separately.
• Sec. 164-19.6(F)(1): an STR permit from the Building Inspector is required; permits are initially capped at 55 units townwide, first-come first-served with a wait list; operators already registered with Dutchess County before the effective date had 90 days of application preference.
• Sec. 164-19.6(F)(2): permits are issued to the parcel owner for a two-year term, are non-transferable, and one permit is required per STR unit (an owner may hold multiple permits).
• Sec. 164-19.6(F)(6)-(7): a satisfactory Building Inspector inspection is mandatory before issuance and each renewal, and the premises must fully comply with Dutchess County Department of Health standards (septic/well).
• Sec. 164-19.6(F)(9): maximum occupancy is set by DOH septic capacity, not to exceed two occupants per bedroom (children under 5 excluded); total guests at any event may never exceed double the permitted occupancy.
• Sec. 164-19.6(F)(10)-(11) and Sec. 164-59: an STR may not be located in an Accessory Dwelling Unit (Sec. 164-19.5), nor in a basement or attic unless deemed habitable space under the NYS Uniform Code.
• Sec. 164-19.6(F)(12): at least one additional off-street parking space per bedroom must be provided for the STR.
• Sec. 164-19.6(F)(13): the permit must be displayed inside the unit, the STR permit number must appear in every listing, and on-premises advertising is prohibited.
• Sec. 164-19.6(F)(20): the permit holder must maintain property hazard insurance plus a liability certificate rating the premises for short-term rental use throughout the permit term.
• Sec. 164-19.6(F)(22): a posted interior notice must include contacts, max occupancy, parking, a Good Neighbor Statement, and bans on firearm discharge and pyrotechnics at the STR.
• Sec. 164-19.6(F)(23)-(25): violations can bring added conditions, suspension, or revocation; after revocation the owner is barred from a new STR permit on that property for one year.
• Sec. 164-19.6(G): owners with bookings existing at the effective date may honor them, and existing operators may keep taking new bookings only if they file a complete permit application within 90 days of the effective date.
• Sec. 164-19.6(F)(8): permit holders must also comply with the Dutchess County Hotel Occupancy Tax (County Code Ch. 264, Art. III) and NYS Real Property Law Article 12-D (state STR registry).

Sources: Town of Stanford Resolution introducing Local Law No. 5 of 2025 (full STR law text, July 10, 2025); New Pine Plains Herald: Stanford Town Board Passes Short-Term Rental Regulations (adopted 4-0 on Aug 14, 2025); Town of Stanford Code on eCode360 (Chapter 164 Zoning); Town of Stanford official site. Last reviewed 2026-07.