Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Cattaraugus County, NY

Airbnb listings are allowed in Cattaraugus County, NY, but with restrictions. 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). A permit is required before you can host. These rules apply to all short-term rental platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, etc.) — not just Airbnb specifically. See the official source linked on this page for full requirements. Last verified 2026-05-14.

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).

Vrbo is permitted in Cattaraugus County, NY under the same restrictions that apply to Airbnb — local rules govern the rental itself, not the specific platform. You must hold a valid permit before hosting on Vrbo. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rental hosts in Cattaraugus County are typically responsible for lodging, occupancy, and applicable sales taxes — these usually apply even where hosting is allowed without a permit. Rates and remittance rules vary by jurisdiction (state, county, and city can each levy a share); confirm the current rates with the official source linked on this page. Platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo collect some taxes automatically, but the host remains liable for any not collected on their behalf.

We are not currently tracking any recent short-term rental ordinance changes for Cattaraugus County. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.