Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Saranac Lake, NY

Airbnb listings are allowed in Saranac Lake, NY, but with restrictions. STRs are categorized as 'Hosted' (owner's primary residence with owner present) or 'Unhosted'. Hosted STRs are allowed in all zones but subject to a permit cap, while new Unhosted STRs require a Special Use Permit and are subject to a 200-foot density buffer from other STRs in most districts. Occupancy is limited by the NYS Property Maintenance Code, and rentals must comply with life-safety requirements including inspections and posted house rules. 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 categorized as 'Hosted' (owner's primary residence with owner present) or 'Unhosted'. Hosted STRs are allowed in all zones but subject to a permit cap, while new Unhosted STRs require a Special Use Permit and are subject to a 200-foot density buffer from other STRs in most districts. Occupancy is limited by the NYS Property Maintenance Code, and rentals must comply with life-safety requirements including inspections and posted house rules.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Saranac Lake. 1) Submit a Special Use Permit application to the Development Board and an STR Permit application to the Director simultaneously, including proof of ownership, residency (for hosted units), floor plans, and a Certificate of Authority for occupancy tax. 2) Pay the required fees and pass a fire/safety inspection conducted by the Code Enforcement Officer. 3) Upon approval of the Special Use Permit after a public hearing, the STR Permit is issued for up to one year and must be renewed annually between November 1 and January 15.

1) Submit a Special Use Permit application to the Development Board and an STR Permit application to the Director simultaneously, including proof of ownership, residency (for hosted units), floor plans, and a Certificate of Authority for occupancy tax. 2) Pay the required fees and pass a fire/safety inspection conducted by the Code Enforcement Officer. 3) Upon approval of the Special Use Permit after a public hearing, the STR Permit is issued for up to one year and must be renewed annually between November 1 and January 15.

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