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

**Yes**, you need a Short-Term Rental Permit to operate in Watkins Glen. You need to apply for this permit annually through the Village Code Enforcement office. The application process includes paying a $250 fee and passing a safety inspection of your property, per Chapter 158.

What is the TOT tax rate in Watkins Glen?

**4% TOT** is the current occupancy tax rate for short-term rentals in Watkins Glen, NY. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests on all bookings. You need to remit the collected taxes to the appropriate county authority, as required by local law.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Watkins Glen?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are allowed in Watkins Glen, but they are strictly regulated by the Village. You need to obtain a permit, pass a safety inspection, and meet specific requirements outlined in Chapter 158 of the Village Code. Ensure compliance with all regulations.

How much does an STR permit cost in Watkins Glen?

**$250** is the annual fee for a Short-Term Rental Permit in Watkins Glen. You need to pay this fee to the Village Code Enforcement office when you submit your application. This fee covers the administrative costs associated with the permit and inspection process.

Can renters host on Airbnb in Watkins Glen?

**No**, tenants are not permitted to host on Airbnb in Watkins Glen. The short-term rental regulations are designed for property owners, not renters. You need to own the property to be eligible for a Short-Term Rental Permit, as defined in Chapter 158.

Watkins Glen

Strict

STRs Allowed

New YorkLast updated: February 10, 2026

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Summary

The Village of Watkins Glen strictly regulates short-term rentals under Chapter 158 of the Village Code. Hosts must obtain an annual permit, pass a safety inspection, and maintain $1 million in liability insurance.

Restriction Level

⛔

Strict

Score: 36 (restrictive)

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

To host an Airbnb in the Village of Watkins Glen, you must first apply for an annual Short-Term Rental Permit from the Village Code Enforcement office. The process includes paying a $250 fee and passing a safety inspection of your property. You are limited to two guests per bedroom plus two additional guests, and you must name the Village as an 'additional insured' on your insurance policy. Additionally, you are required to collect a 4% county occupancy tax on all bookings.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

$250

Processing Time

30-60 days

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.Village MUST be named as an 'additional insured' on your $1M liability policy.
2.Non-owner occupied units (Type II) may face stricter caps or neighborhood limits.
3.Property inspections are mandatory before a permit is issued.
4.Max occupancy is strictly calculated as 2 per bedroom + 2 extra guests.
5.Parking must be provided off-street according to a submitted parking plan.
6.Permits are valid for only one year and must be renewed annually.
7.Only one STR permit is allowed per individual owner within the Village.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(6)

•Watkins Glen prohibits STRs in the following property types: Hotels, Motels, Inns, Bed and Breakfasts (regulated separately).
•Watkins Glen does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.
•Watkins Glen: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.

Requirements(19)

•Watkins Glen STR warning: Hosts must provide a copy of their permit to all adjacent property owners.
•Watkins Glen: Property insurance must explicitly state it covers short-term rental activity.
•Watkins Glen requires liability insurance for STR hosts. Insurance policy must explicitly state the premises is rated as a Short-Term Rental.

Application Process(10)

•How to set up an STR in Watkins Glen: To host an Airbnb in Watkins Glen, you must first secure a Special Use Permit from the Village, which costs $500 for the first two years. Because the Village limits the number of rentals to 8% of total homes, you may need to join a waiting list before you can apply. You are also required to register with Schuyler County for the 4% room tax, even if Airbnb collects it for you, and you must display a sign on the front of your house identifying it as a short-term rental.

Fees & Costs(1)

•Watkins Glen charges a registration fee of $500 (biennial). Extended/additional fee: $50 (Renewal fee every 24 months).

Taxes(3)

•Watkins Glen charges a Schuyler County Room Occupancy Tax of 4%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO/Expedia (as of April 2025) collect and remit the 4% tax; hosts must still file quarterly zero-returns if using these platforms exclusively.
•New York has a state sales tax of 4% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & Restrictions(6)

•Watkins Glen: Strict 8% cap on total permits frequently leads to a waiting list; check availability before purchasing property.
•Watkins Glen limits stays to a maximum of 30 nights.
•Watkins Glen limits STRs to a maximum of 10 guests. Formula: Maximum of 10 people per unit
•Watkins Glen enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM (Outdoor speakers prohibited after 10 PM).

Safety Requirements(1)

•Watkins Glen requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Emergency evacuation procedures must be posted in each sleeping room, Signage must be displayed on front exterior indicating STR use, Certificate of Authority must be posted by front door, Good Neighbor Statement provided to all renters.

Penalties(2)

•Watkins Glen enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Violation notice/summons. Second offense: Fines per Zoning Law Article Article 38. Third offense: Loss of eligibility to apply for 4 years. Daily fine: Varies by duration. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions(2)

•Watkins Glen: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
•Watkins Glen exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days).

Watkins Glen

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(6)

Requirements(19)

Application Process(10)

Fees & Costs(1)

Taxes(3)

Limits & Restrictions(6)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(2)

Exemptions(2)

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Watkins Glen

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 Watkins Glen?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Watkins Glen?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Watkins Glen?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Watkins Glen?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Watkins Glen?

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