| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Status | Restricted — rules apply |
| Permit / License Required | Yes |
| Tax Rate | 5% City of Ithaca room occupancy tax (each STR must independently register with the city and charge guests the 5% room tax — Airbnb does NOT collect t |
| Night / Day Cap | No absolute annual day cap; however, hosts must reside on the property for at least 184 days per year (over half the year) to qualify. |
| Minimum Stay | STRs defined as stays under 30 consecutive days; stays of 30+ days are long-term rentals subject to Certificate of Compliance only. |
| Permit Fee | Certificate of Compliance: $7 per room (one- and two-family; multiple dwellings); STR Operating Permit fee applies (amount set by city — see cityofith |
| Penalties | Fines of up to $500 per day or the daily rental rate per day, whichever is higher, for operating without a valid permit or violating STR regulations. |
| Primary Residence Required | Yes |
| Occupancy Limit | Subject to housing code; specific STR guest cap not confirmed in reviewed ordinance text beyond standard habitability rules. |
Short-term rentals in Ithaca, New York are allowed but subject to significant restrictions under local regulations as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: Yes. The associated permit fees are Certificate of Compliance: $7 per room (one- and two-family; multiple dwellings); STR Operating Perm.
Short-term rental operators in Ithaca should be aware of these tax obligations: 5% City of Ithaca room occupancy tax (each STR must independently register with the city and charge guests the 5% room tax — Airbnb does NOT collect this city tax on hosts' behalf as of the FAQ). Tompkins County room tax also applicable (collected by.
Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Ithaca include: Primary residence requirement: Yes. Rental day cap: No absolute annual day cap; however, hosts must reside on the property for at least 184 days per year (over half the yea. Occupancy limit: Subject to housing code; specific STR guest cap not confirmed in reviewed ordinance text beyond standard habitability ru. Minimum stay: STRs defined as stays under 30 consecutive days; stays of 30+ days are long-term rentals subject to Certificate of Compl.
Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Ithaca: STRs restricted to owner/long-term leaseholder-occupied properties; investor-owned or non-primary-residence properties cannot operate as STRs under the 2024 ordinance. Non-conforming uses may have est. Density rules: No confirmed neighborhood density cap; primary residence requirement effectively limits proliferation.. Insurance: Not explicitly mandated in ordinance text reviewed, but Certificate of Compliance inspection complia.
Hosts who fail to comply with Ithaca's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Fines of up to $500 per day or the daily rental rate per day, whichever is higher, for operating without a valid permit or violating STR regulations. Permit immediately revoked for any failure to meet.
Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Ithaca: STR operating permit number must be included in all listings as 'City of Ithaca #STR-XX-XX'. Under NYS S.885C/A.4130C, platforms must verify registrations and remove unregistered listings. Airbnb does.
Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.
Official Source ↗Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in Ithaca but subject to restrictions. Hosts must comply with local permit requirements and zoning rules. Ithaca's Short-Term Rental Ordinance (Ch. 325, Sec. 27 of the Municipal Code, as amended by Ordinance No. 2025-07) is among the most detailed in upstate NY. Full enforcement began June 1, 2025. Key re
Yes. Ithaca requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes.
Short-term rental hosts in Ithaca are subject to the following tax obligations: 5% City of Ithaca room occupancy tax (each STR must independently register with the city and charge guests the 5% room tax — Airbnb does NOT collect this city tax on hosts' behalf as of the FAQ). Tompkins County room tax also applicable (collected by Airbnb for county-level). NY State sales tax addi.
Hosts who operate without proper permits in Ithaca may face enforcement. Fines of up to $500 per day or the daily rental rate per day, whichever is higher, for operating without a valid permit or violating STR regulations. Permit immediately revoked for any failure to meet ordinance requirements. Permit also revoked for 2.
Ithaca has one of the most comprehensive STR frameworks in upstate New York. The primary residence / 184-day occupancy requirement effectively bans investor-owned STRs. The city-level 5% room tax must be independently collected and remitted by hosts — platforms do not do this automatically. Violations carry fines up to $500/day or the daily rental rate, whichever is higher.
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