Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Cattaraugus County, NY

Municipalities within Cattaraugus County regulate short-term rentals; County requires occupancy-tax registration (5% bed tax) for lodging operators. Local rules (examples: City of Olean, Town of Ellicottville, Town of Great Valley) restrict STRs by zoning/districts, set maximum occupancy calculations, require functioning smoke/CO detectors and fire extinguishers, require a local contact/agent available 24/7, and prohibit advertising without a permit number. Specific caps, primary-residence rules, and one-booking-per-day limits appear in some municipal laws (e.g., Ellicottville).

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Cattaraugus County. 1) For county tax registration: complete the Cattaraugus County "Certification of Registration" and submit to the County Treasurer at least 20 days prior to commencing rentals; Treasurer issues a Certificate of Authority (must be displayed) and operators remit the 5% occupancy tax (quarterly). 2) For municipal STR permits: apply to the municipality's Code Enforcement or Building Official on the municipality’s STR application form, provide owner/operator contact information, local agent contact, occupancy/bedroom counts, safety certifications (smoke alarms, CO detectors, fire extinguisher), proof of insurance; pay application/inspection fees where stated (City of Olean: $150 application, $60 annual inspection; Ellicottville: application fee as set by Town Board), schedule inspections and renew annually per local rules. 3) Post the issued license/permit number on any public advertising/listing and comply with operational requirements (parking, trash, noise, 24/7 contact response).

1) For county tax registration: complete the Cattaraugus County "Certification of Registration" and submit to the County Treasurer at least 20 days prior to commencing rentals; Treasurer issues a Certificate of Authority (must be displayed) and operators remit the 5% occupancy tax (quarterly). 2) For municipal STR permits: apply to the municipality's Code Enforcement or Building Official on the municipality’s STR application form, provide owner/operator contact information, local agent contact, occupancy/bedroom counts, safety certifications (smoke alarms, CO detectors, fire extinguisher), proof of insurance; pay application/inspection fees where stated (City of Olean: $150 application, $60 annual inspection; Ellicottville: application fee as set by Town Board), schedule inspections and renew annually per local rules. 3) Post the issued license/permit number on any public advertising/listing and comply with operational requirements (parking, trash, noise, 24/7 contact response).