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

**Yes**, Ithaca requires a Short-Term Rental Operating Permit through the Building Department. You need to apply for this permit even if you are only renting out a room in your own home. The city also requires a fire inspection before approval. Failure to obtain a permit can result in fines.

What is the TOT tax rate in Ithaca, NY?

**8% TOT** is the total local lodging tax rate for short-term rentals in Ithaca. This consists of a 5% Tompkins County Hotel Tax and a 3% City Convention Center tax. You need to collect this tax from your guests and remit it to the appropriate local tax authority, as required.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Ithaca?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are allowed in Ithaca, but are strictly regulated. You need to obtain a Short-Term Rental Operating Permit, pass a fire safety inspection, and collect the required local lodging taxes. Additionally, you must notify your neighbors before submitting your permit application to the city.

How much does an STR permit cost in Ithaca?

**$250** is the annual fee for the Short-Term Rental Operating Permit in Ithaca. You need to renew this permit each year to legally operate your short-term rental. Make sure to submit your application and pay the fee through the city's Building Department to avoid any penalties.

Can renters host on Airbnb in Ithaca?

**No**, tenants are not allowed to host on Airbnb in Ithaca. Only property owners are eligible to apply for and receive a Short-Term Rental Operating Permit. Renters must have explicit permission from the property owner to operate an STR, which is unlikely to be granted.

Ithaca

Strict

New YorkUpdated Feb 10, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 4 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 4

Summary

Plain-english overview

Short-term rentals in the City of Ithaca are strictly regulated and require an annual operating permit and fire safety inspection. Hosts must collect both a 5% Tompkins County Hotel Tax and a 3% City Convention Center tax.

Restriction level

Severity 36

Classification

Strict

Severity

Why this classification

Standard permit fee: $250
Limited to 1 property per owner
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

To host an Airbnb in the City of Ithaca, you must apply for a Short-Term Rental Operating Permit through the Building Department. Even if you only rent out a room in your own home, you must pass a fire inspection and pay an annual $250 fee. You are limited to holding one STR permit per person, and you must notify your neighbors before applying. Additionally, make sure you are collecting the full 8% in local lodging taxes, as some platforms may only collect the county portion.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$250

Processing time30-60 days

7 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Verify your exact address: If you are outside city limits in the Town of Ithaca, different rules apply.
2The 3% Ithaca Convention Center tax is often NOT collected by platforms and must be remitted manually.
3A mandatory fire inspection is required before the permit is issued.
4Only one STR permit is allowed per owner/host within the city.
5Neighbors must be formally notified of your intent to run an STR.
6Insurance policies must specifically name the City of Ithaca as additionally insured.
7Maximum occupancy is strictly limited to 2 people per bedroom plus 2, capped at 10.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility7 rules

Ithaca requires that the property be the host's primary residence. Primary residence is defined as: Reside in the unit for at least 184 days per year.
Ithaca: Corporate Ban: Permits are only issued to natural persons; LLCs and corporations cannot be hosts.

Requirements17 rules

Ithaca has different permit classes: Primary Residence Permit (Entire Unit, Hosted Room, or Hosted Accessory Apartment); Seasonal Permit; Occasional Permit. Hosted vs. unhosted rentals have different requirements.
Ithaca STR warning: Inspection Frequency: Your Certificate of Compliance must be renewed every 3-5 years depending on the number of occupants.

Application process9 rules

How to set up an STR in Ithaca: To host an Airbnb in the City of Ithaca, you must live in the home you are renting for at least 184 days out of the year, making it your primary residence. You need to apply for an annual $400 Short-Term Rental Operating Permit and pass a housing safety inspection to get a Certificate of Compliance. While you can rent out a room or your entire home while away, you cannot rent out a second home or investment property you don't live in. Additionally, you are responsible for collecting and paying a 5% City tax directly to Ithaca, as platforms like Airbnb do not currently collect it for the city.

Fees & costs2 rules

Ithaca charges a registration fee of $400 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $100 (Non-refundable application fee (applied toward the total $400 permit fee upon approval)).
Ithaca: Separate Permits: If you rent both a room in your house and an ADU on the same lot, you need two separate permits and fees.

Taxes3 rules

Ithaca: Tax Collection: Airbnb collects the 5% Tompkins County tax, but it does NOT collect the 5% City of Ithaca tax. You must remit this yourself.
New York has a state sales tax of 4% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & restrictions6 rules

Ithaca: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.
Ithaca: Unhosted Limit: If you rent the entire home while away, you are limited to a maximum of 180 days per year.
Ithaca enforces quiet hours: Standard city noise ordinance applies.
Ithaca limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.

Safety requirements1 rule

Ithaca requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Certificate of Compliance (COC) required every 3-5 years, Exit signs required in multiple dwellings, Emergency guides for R-2 multiple dwellings.

Penalties2 rules

Ithaca enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $250 per day. Daily fine: $250. Permit may be revoked for violations.
Ithaca: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions3 rules

Ithaca: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Ithaca: If you are present during the guest's stay (hosted rental), night caps may not apply to you.
Ithaca exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays.

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Ithaca

0/4

steps completed

Step 1

Zoning Verification

Confirm the property is in a zone that allows STRs and that the unit is a legal dwelling unit.

1 week

Official resource

Step 2

Neighbor Notification

Provide written notice to all neighbors within a specified radius of the property.

2 weeks

Documents needed

Copy of notification letter
Mailing list

Official resource

Step 3

Submit Application and Fee

Submit the full application packet including floor plans and insurance to the Building Department.

2-4 weeks$250

Documents needed

Floor plan
Proof of Insurance
Parking plan

Official resource

Step 4

Schedule Fire Inspection

Pass a safety inspection by the Ithaca Fire Department.

1-2 weeks$100

Frequently asked questions

5 answered

Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched from public city/county codes for educational purposes. Details may be outdated or incomplete. Always verify requirements directly with your city/county planning department before operating a short-term rental.

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Ithaca

Strict

New YorkUpdated Feb 10, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 4 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 4

Summary

Plain-english overview

Restriction level

Severity 36

Classification

Strict

Severity

Why this classification

Standard permit fee: $250
Limited to 1 property per owner
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$250

Processing time30-60 days

7 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Verify your exact address: If you are outside city limits in the Town of Ithaca, different rules apply.
2The 3% Ithaca Convention Center tax is often NOT collected by platforms and must be remitted manually.
3A mandatory fire inspection is required before the permit is issued.
4Only one STR permit is allowed per owner/host within the city.
5Neighbors must be formally notified of your intent to run an STR.
6Insurance policies must specifically name the City of Ithaca as additionally insured.
7Maximum occupancy is strictly limited to 2 people per bedroom plus 2, capped at 10.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility7 rules

Ithaca requires that the property be the host's primary residence. Primary residence is defined as: Reside in the unit for at least 184 days per year.
Ithaca: Corporate Ban: Permits are only issued to natural persons; LLCs and corporations cannot be hosts.

Requirements17 rules

Ithaca has different permit classes: Primary Residence Permit (Entire Unit, Hosted Room, or Hosted Accessory Apartment); Seasonal Permit; Occasional Permit. Hosted vs. unhosted rentals have different requirements.
Ithaca STR warning: Inspection Frequency: Your Certificate of Compliance must be renewed every 3-5 years depending on the number of occupants.

Application process9 rules

How to set up an STR in Ithaca: To host an Airbnb in the City of Ithaca, you must live in the home you are renting for at least 184 days out of the year, making it your primary residence. You need to apply for an annual $400 Short-Term Rental Operating Permit and pass a housing safety inspection to get a Certificate of Compliance. While you can rent out a room or your entire home while away, you cannot rent out a second home or investment property you don't live in. Additionally, you are responsible for collecting and paying a 5% City tax directly to Ithaca, as platforms like Airbnb do not currently collect it for the city.

Fees & costs2 rules

Ithaca charges a registration fee of $400 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $100 (Non-refundable application fee (applied toward the total $400 permit fee upon approval)).
Ithaca: Separate Permits: If you rent both a room in your house and an ADU on the same lot, you need two separate permits and fees.

Taxes3 rules

Ithaca: Tax Collection: Airbnb collects the 5% Tompkins County tax, but it does NOT collect the 5% City of Ithaca tax. You must remit this yourself.
New York has a state sales tax of 4% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & restrictions6 rules

Ithaca: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.
Ithaca: Unhosted Limit: If you rent the entire home while away, you are limited to a maximum of 180 days per year.
Ithaca enforces quiet hours: Standard city noise ordinance applies.
Ithaca limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.

Safety requirements1 rule

Ithaca requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Certificate of Compliance (COC) required every 3-5 years, Exit signs required in multiple dwellings, Emergency guides for R-2 multiple dwellings.

Penalties2 rules

Ithaca enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $250 per day. Daily fine: $250. Permit may be revoked for violations.
Ithaca: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions3 rules

Ithaca: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Ithaca: If you are present during the guest's stay (hosted rental), night caps may not apply to you.
Ithaca exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays.

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Ithaca

0/4

steps completed

Step 1

Zoning Verification

Confirm the property is in a zone that allows STRs and that the unit is a legal dwelling unit.

1 week

Official resource

Step 2

Neighbor Notification

Provide written notice to all neighbors within a specified radius of the property.

2 weeks

Documents needed

Copy of notification letter
Mailing list

Official resource

Step 3

Submit Application and Fee

Submit the full application packet including floor plans and insurance to the Building Department.

2-4 weeks$250

Documents needed

Floor plan
Proof of Insurance
Parking plan

Official resource

Step 4

Schedule Fire Inspection

Pass a safety inspection by the Ithaca Fire Department.

1-2 weeks$100

Frequently asked questions

5 answered

Disclaimer

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

7 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Zoning Verification

Neighbor Notification

Submit Application and Fee

Schedule Fire Inspection

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Ithaca, NY?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Ithaca?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Ithaca?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Ithaca?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

7 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Zoning Verification

Neighbor Notification

Submit Application and Fee

Schedule Fire Inspection

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Ithaca, NY?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Ithaca?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Ithaca?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Ithaca?

Disclaimer