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

**Yes**, a Short-Term Rental Permit is required in Lake Placid. You need to obtain a biennial permit to operate legally. The Joint Short-Term Rental Law is strictly enforced, so ensure you apply through the appropriate Lake Placid or North Elba channels, depending on your property's location.

What is the TOT tax rate in Lake Placid?

**5% TOT** is the current tax rate for short-term rentals in Lake Placid. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and remitting it to the local government. Be sure to register with the appropriate tax authorities to comply with all local and state regulations regarding transient occupancy tax.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Lake Placid?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are allowed in Lake Placid, but with restrictions. Unhosted rentals are limited to 90 nights per year. You need to adhere to the Joint Short-Term Rental Law, which includes obtaining a permit and following fire safety regulations. Check local zoning laws for specific rules.

How much does an STR permit cost in Lake Placid?

**$200** is the fee for the Short-Term Rental permit in Lake Placid. This permit is valid for two years (biennial). Non-resident owners often face higher permit fees. Make sure to budget for this cost when planning to operate a short-term rental in Lake Placid or North Elba.

Can renters host on Airbnb in Lake Placid?

**No**, tenants are not allowed to host on Airbnb in Lake Placid. The short-term rental regulations specify that only property owners can obtain a permit and operate a short-term rental. Renters are prohibited from subletting their apartments or houses for short-term stays. Ensure compliance to avoid penalties.

Lake Placid, NY Short-Term Rental Laws

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Verified: Jan 30, 2026

3 Official Sources

Summary

Lake Placid and North Elba enforce a strict Joint Short-Term Rental Law that requires a biennial permit and limits unhosted rentals to 90 days per year. The regulations include high permit fees for non-resident owners and mandatory fire safety inspections.

Restriction Level

⛔

Strict

Score: 51 (moderate)

Why this classification:

•Moderate night cap: 90 nights/year
•Standard permit fee: $200
•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 Lake Placid, you must get a permit from the joint North Elba/Lake Placid Code Enforcement office. If you don't live on the property full-time (unhosted), you are limited to renting for only 90 days each year. You'll need to pay a significant permit fee (often $1,000 or more) every two years and pass a physical safety inspection before you can start hosting.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

90/year

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

$200

Processing Time

30-60 days

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.Unhosted rentals (where the owner isn't present) are capped at 90 days per calendar year.
2.The Village and Town are currently under a 'Waitlist' system or strict cap in certain residential zones; check availability before buying.
3.Permit fees are very high for larger unhosted properties, reaching up to $4,000.
4.A local contact person must be available 24/7 to respond to complaints within 60 minutes.
5.Minimum stay is 2 nights; 1-night rentals are prohibited.
6.Septic systems must be pumped and inspected every 3 years for properties not on sewer.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(10)

•Lake Placid, NY: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
•Lake Placid, NY: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
•Lake Placid: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.

Requirements(19)

•Lake Placid requires liability insurance for STR hosts. Minimum coverage: 500,000. Must explicitly cover short-term rental use.
•Lake Placid STR warning: The Village and Town are currently under a 'Waitlist' system or strict cap in certain residential zones; check availability before buying.

Application Process(10)

•Lake Placid, NY: To apply for an STR permit, you'll need: Property Deed, Site Plan, Floor Plan, Garbage Removal Plan, Parking Plan, Insurance Certificate, Affidavit of Compliance.
•Lake Placid, NY extended permit requirement: Fees vary significantly: $200 for Hosted; $1,000 to $4,000 for Unhosted based on capacity and zone.

Fees & Costs(2)

•Lake Placid: Permit fees are very high for larger unhosted properties, reaching up to $4,000.
•Lake Placid charges a registration fee of $200 (biennial). Extended/additional fee: $1000 (Fees vary significantly: $200 for Hosted; $1,000 to $4,000 for Unhosted based on capacity and zone.).

Taxes(2)

•New York has a state sales tax of 4% that applies to STR rentals.
•Lake Placid charges a Essex County Occupancy Tax of 5%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO remit the 5% Essex County tax directly; however, hosts must still file annual returns.

Limits & Restrictions(11)

•Lake Placid enforces quiet hours: 9:00 PM to 7:00 AM.
•Lake Placid: The Village and Town are currently under a 'Waitlist' system or strict cap in certain residential zones; check availability before buying.
•Lake Placid: Unhosted rentals (where the owner isn't present) are capped at 90 days per calendar year.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Lake Placid requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Floor plan showing exit routes, Septic system inspection (if applicable), GFCI outlets near water sources.

Penalties(3)

•Lake Placid enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $1,000. Second offense: $2,500. Third offense: Revocation of permit. Daily fine: $1,000. Maximum fine: $5,000. Permit may be revoked for violations.
•Lake Placid, NY: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions(5)

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

Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched 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.

Other New York Markets

Canandaigua

New York

Moderate

The City of Canandaigua regulates short-term rentals under Chapter 712 of the Municipal Code, requiring a biennial license and a safety inspection. Hosts must collect a 3% local lodging tax in addition to New York state sales tax.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Dutchess County

New York

Permissive

Dutchess County does not have a centralized county-wide short-term rental ordinance; instead, it enforces a 5% Hotel and Motel Room Occupancy Tax. All land use, zoning, and STR permit requirements are handled at the individual town, village, or city level.

0.1% total tax

Hammondsport

New York

Moderate

Short-term rentals in Hammondsport require a permit, biennial inspections, and are subject to a 12% density cap in residential zones.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Shelate Island

New York

Moderate

Short-term rentals in Shelter Island are governed by Chapter 105 of the Town Code, requiring a biennial license and adherence to a strict 'one rental every 14 days' frequency rule for non-owner occupied properties. The town limits occupancy based on bedroom count and requires clear display of the license number in all advertisements.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Lake Placid

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(10)

Requirements(19)

Application Process(10)

Fees & Costs(2)

Taxes(2)

Limits & Restrictions(11)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(3)

Exemptions(5)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Related Content

Other New York Markets

Canandaigua

Dutchess County

Hammondsport

Shelate Island

Lake Placid

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

Frequently Asked Questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Lake Placid?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Lake Placid?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Lake Placid?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Lake Placid?

Related Content

Other New York Markets

Canandaigua

Dutchess County

Hammondsport

Shelate Island