Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Onondaga County, NY

Airbnb listings are allowed in Onondaga County, NY, but with restrictions. Operation requires registration with the County (or municipal registry). Units must post evacuation diagrams and emergency numbers, maintain a fire extinguisher, carry at least $300,000 in liability insurance, and keep guest records for two years. Municipalities like Syracuse may require additional interior/exterior inspections and separate certificates for non-owner-occupied units. 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.

Operation requires registration with the County (or municipal registry). Units must post evacuation diagrams and emergency numbers, maintain a fire extinguisher, carry at least $300,000 in liability insurance, and keep guest records for two years. Municipalities like Syracuse may require additional interior/exterior inspections and separate certificates for non-owner-occupied units.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Onondaga County. 1. Register the unit with the County (valid for 2 years) and pay the established application fee. 2. Ensure the unit meets safety standards, including posting evacuation diagrams and emergency contacts, and obtaining $300,000 in liability insurance. 3. For properties in Syracuse, apply via the City Online Portal, pay a $150 fee, and pass an interior/exterior inspection to receive a 3-year certificate.

1. Register the unit with the County (valid for 2 years) and pay the established application fee. 2. Ensure the unit meets safety standards, including posting evacuation diagrams and emergency contacts, and obtaining $300,000 in liability insurance. 3. For properties in Syracuse, apply via the City Online Portal, pay a $150 fee, and pass an interior/exterior inspection to receive a 3-year certificate.

Vrbo is permitted in Onondaga 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 Onondaga 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 Onondaga County. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.