Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Otsego County, NY

Airbnb listings are allowed in Otsego County, NY, but with restrictions. STRs are restricted by zone and residency. In Cooperstown, residential STRs require owner-occupancy and have a 10-person cap. In Oneonta, new STRs are limited to MU-1, MU-2, R-4, and CII districts unless the host is a permanent resident. County-wide, permits must be displayed and 'Good Visitor Guidelines' provided. 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.

STRs are restricted by zone and residency. In Cooperstown, residential STRs require owner-occupancy and have a 10-person cap. In Oneonta, new STRs are limited to MU-1, MU-2, R-4, and CII districts unless the host is a permanent resident. County-wide, permits must be displayed and 'Good Visitor Guidelines' provided.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Otsego County. 1) Submit an STR application to the local municipal authority (e.g., Cooperstown Zoning Board or Oneonta Code Enforcement) with proof of ownership, floor plans, and liability insurance. 2) Pass a fire-safety inspection (often via Otsego County Codes Office) and obtain a certificate of compliance. 3) Register the rental with Otsego County to receive a county permit, which must be renewed annually.

1) Submit an STR application to the local municipal authority (e.g., Cooperstown Zoning Board or Oneonta Code Enforcement) with proof of ownership, floor plans, and liability insurance. 2) Pass a fire-safety inspection (often via Otsego County Codes Office) and obtain a certificate of compliance. 3) Register the rental with Otsego County to receive a county permit, which must be renewed annually.

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