Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Tompkins County, NY

Tompkins County requires registration of every short-term rental unit and sets health/safety and insurance requirements (posted evacuation diagram, working fire extinguisher, emergency contact list, $300,000 minimum liability insurance) and room occupancy tax collection; municipalities within the county may impose additional limits—e.g., City of Ithaca permits STRs only in single-family, two-unit, and owner-occupied units and requires the property be the host's primary residence (reside ≥184 days/year) and a Certificate of Compliance. County registration + municipal operating-permit/residency rules together restrict STR use.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Tompkins County. 1) County: register each STR unit using the Tompkins County Short Term Registry Form and pay the $125 registration fee; a Certificate of Authority will be issued (valid two years). 2) If located in the City of Ithaca: obtain/maintain a Certificate of Compliance (inspection), gather two proofs of primary residency, register for and obtain a City Certificate of Authority for occupancy tax, then apply for the City short-term rental operating permit via OpenGov; City fees: $100 non-refundable application fee (applied to permit) and $400 annual permit fee. 3) Provide a local contact (name, phone, email) able to respond within 60 minutes and comply with stated health/safety requirements and tax remittance.

1) County: register each STR unit using the Tompkins County Short Term Registry Form and pay the $125 registration fee; a Certificate of Authority will be issued (valid two years). 2) If located in the City of Ithaca: obtain/maintain a Certificate of Compliance (inspection), gather two proofs of primary residency, register for and obtain a City Certificate of Authority for occupancy tax, then apply for the City short-term rental operating permit via OpenGov; City fees: $100 non-refundable application fee (applied to permit) and $400 annual permit fee. 3) Provide a local contact (name, phone, email) able to respond within 60 minutes and comply with stated health/safety requirements and tax remittance.