Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Cold Spring?

**Yes**, Cold Spring requires a Short-Term Rental License to operate legally. You need to apply for this license, which costs $300 annually. This permit ensures that your property meets safety standards and that you are registered with the village. See Chapter 100 of the Municipal Code.

What is the TOT tax rate in Cold Spring?

**4% TOT** is the current transient occupancy tax rate for short-term rentals in Cold Spring. You need to collect this tax from your guests and remit it to Putnam County. Ensure you register with the county to properly handle occupancy taxes, as required by local regulations.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Cold Spring?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are allowed but strictly regulated in Cold Spring. You are limited to one STR property per owner. Furthermore, if you don't live on-site during rentals, you can only rent the property for a maximum of 90 nights per year, per village regulations.

Do I need to live in my property to rent it on Airbnb in Cold Spring?

**No**, you do not necessarily need to live in your property to rent it out. However, if you do not reside on-site during the rental period, you are restricted to a maximum of 90 rental nights per year. This limitation is enforced to manage the impact of STRs on the community.

How much does an STR permit cost in Cold Spring?

**$300** is the annual fee for a Short-Term Rental License in Cold Spring. You need to pay this fee to the Village to legally operate your rental. This fee covers the cost of inspections and administrative overhead associated with managing short-term rentals within the village.

Cold Spring, NY Short-Term Rental Laws

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Summary

Short-term rentals in the Village of Cold Spring are strictly regulated under Chapter 100 of the Municipal Code. The village imposes a cap on the total number of STR licenses issued and requires an annual license, safety inspections, and a 2-night minimum stay.

Restriction Level

⛔

Strict

Score: 56 (moderate)

Why this classification:

•Moderate night cap: 90 nights/year
•Moderate permit fee: $300
•Limited to 1 property per owner
•Tenants cannot host
•Permit required
•Reporting required
•No primary residence requirement

In Plain English

To host an Airbnb in Cold Spring, you must first apply for a Village Short-Term Rental License and register with Putnam County for occupancy taxes. You are limited to one STR property per owner, and if you don't live on-site during the stay, you can only rent the property for a maximum of 90 nights per year. All rentals must be for at least two nights, and you'll need to pass a safety inspection and show proof of $1 million in liability insurance.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

90/year

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

$300

Processing Time

30-60 days

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.The village has a strict cap on the total number of STR licenses available (currently 39 for non-hosted).
2.A 2-night minimum stay is required for all short-term rentals.
3.Only one STR license is allowed per owner/natural person.
4.Unhosted rentals (where the owner is not present) are capped at 90 nights per calendar year.
5.Hosts must maintain a local contact person who can respond to complaints within 20 minutes.
6.Corporate ownership (LLCs) of STR properties is heavily restricted or prohibited for new licenses.
7.Must verify your exact address is within Village limits; 'Cold Spring' mailing addresses often fall into Philipstown (unincorporated Putnam County) which has different rules.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(9)

•Cold Spring: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
•Cold Spring prohibits STRs in the following property types: Accessory buildings, Corporate-owned (LLC/Corp prohibited), Apartments (unless owner-occupied single-family context).
•Cold Spring allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family dwellings, Portion of a residence.

Requirements(18)

•Cold Spring: Mandatory in-person check-in: You or an agent must meet every guest at the start of their stay.
•Cold Spring has different permit classes: Lottery-based (limit of 34 total permits or 5% of tax lots). Hosted vs. unhosted rentals have different requirements.
•Cold Spring: Hosts must report their rental activity quarterly to the city, even if platforms collect taxes.

Application Process(8)

•Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in Cold Spring: Step 1: Verify Eligibility - Ensure your property is in R-1 or B-1 and is your primary residence (260+ nights/year). Step 2: Gather Documentation - Prepare deed, residency proof, site plan with parking, and floor plan with egress. Documents needed: Deed, Utility bill, Driver's license, Site plan. More info: https://www.coldspringny.gov/short-term-rentals Step 3: Enter Annual Lottery - Permits are limited to 34 total and are decided by a public lottery held by the Village Board. Documents needed: Permit Application Form. Estimated time: Annual cycle. Cost: 375. Step 4: Pass Inspection - Code enforcement will inspect for fire safety and egress compliance. Estimated time: 7-14 days.

Fees & Costs(2)

•Cold Spring charges a registration fee of $375 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $125 (Renewal fee).
•Cold Spring: 300-foot buffer: No two STRs can be within 300 linear feet of each other.

Taxes(2)

•New York has a state sales tax of 4% that applies to STR rentals.
•Cold Spring charges a Village Room Tax of 5%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Note: Hosts are responsible for collection unless a specific platform agreement is verified.

Limits & Restrictions(9)

•Cold Spring: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.
•Cold Spring limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
•Cold Spring limits STRs to 60 nights per year. This applies to all rentals.
•Cold Spring: Total permit cap: Only 34 permits are available for the entire village.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Cold Spring requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Host or agent must meet all guests in person at check-in to show egress, Check-ins prohibited between 9 PM and 8 AM.

Penalties(2)

•Cold Spring enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $250 fine. Second offense: $500 fine. Third offense: $1,000 fine and permit revocation. Maximum fine: $1,000. Permit may be revoked for violations.
•Cold Spring: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions(2)

•Cold Spring: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
•Cold Spring exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, Tourist Homes (governed by Zoning Ch 134).

Cold Spring

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Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(9)

Requirements(18)

Application Process(8)

Fees & Costs(2)

Taxes(2)

Limits & Restrictions(9)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(2)

Exemptions(2)

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Cold Spring

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Frequently Asked Questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Cold Spring?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Cold Spring?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Cold Spring?

4Do I need to live in my property to rent it on Airbnb in Cold Spring?

5How much does an STR permit cost in Cold Spring?

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Canandaigua

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