Canandaigua, New York Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Canandaigua?

Yes, short-term rentals are allowed in Canandaigua, NY, but with significant restrictions. The jurisdiction is split between the Town of Canandaigua and the City of Canandaigua, each with distinct regulatory frameworks. Both jurisdictions require permits or special use permits to operate legally.

Key takeaway for investors: STRs are permitted but highly regulated, with the City having much stricter limitations including primary residence requirements and 60-day annual rental limits in residential zones.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Canandaigua?

Canandaigua hosts earn a median $32,462/year with $270 ADR and 51% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $53,024+ per year.

See the full Canandaigua market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Canandaigua

Town of Canandaigua Process

Determine Maximum Occupancy: Calculate based on bedroom size in accordance with NY State laws
Apply for STR Permit: Submit application through Cloudpermit building permit module
If Max Occupancy > 12: Additionally apply for Special Use Permit through Planning Board
Complete Application: Provide all required documents as outlined in § 201-5
Pay Fees: $300 non-refundable permit fee per unit
Receive Permit: Valid for one year from issuance date

City of Canandaigua Process

Verify Property Status: Confirm if property is your primary residence (required for R-2, R-3, R-L zones)
Check Zoning: Ensure property is not in R-1A or R-1B zones (prohibited)
Apply for Special Use Permit: Submit to Planning Commission
Rental Inspection Program: Register property for periodic inspections
Compliance Verification: Demonstrate compliance with housing standards and fire codes
Pay Applicable Fees: Follow permit application procedures
Understand Limitations: If in residential zones, maximum 60 days rental per year

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Town of Canandaigua Requirements

STR Permit Application:

Short term rental permit application via Cloudpermit
Compliance with § 201-5 requirements
$300 non-refundable fee per unit
Valid for one year

Special Use Permit (if max occupancy > 12):

Special Use Permit application via Cloudpermit Planning module
Code Enforcement Office inspection required prior to Planning Board meeting
Statement of Operations detailing:
- Year-round or seasonal rental operation
- Quiet hours policy
- Garbage handling procedures
- Other operational details

Code Compliance:

Maximum occupancy in accordance with NY State laws
Maximum occupancy cap of 18 regardless of bedroom size
Compliance with all applicable building codes

City of Canandaigua Requirements

Special Use Permit Application:

Planning Commission Short-Term Rental Application
Registration under City Rental Inspection Program
Compliance verification with Chapter 748 Housing Standards
Compliance with NY State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code

Documentation Required:

Records system for identifying renter names, permanent addresses, and stay duration
Evidence of off-street parking provision
Proof of compliance with lodging tax collection requirements
Documentation that no exterior alterations are required

Insurance and Tax Considerations:

Applicable county and local lodging tax collection
Property must meet lodging facility standards

Specific Regulations by Jurisdiction

Town of Canandaigua STR Regulations

Permitting Structure:

STR permits required for all short-term rentals
Separate permit required for each rental unit
Annual permit renewal required

Occupancy Limitations:

Maximum occupancy determined by bedroom size following NY State law
Absolute maximum occupancy cap of 18 persons
Properties exceeding 12-person occupancy require Special Use Permit

Operational Requirements:

Must comply with all Town Code Chapter 201 regulations
Subject to complaint-driven enforcement
Online complaint portal available for residents

Fee Structure:

$300 non-refundable application fee per unit
Annual permit renewal required

City of Canandaigua STR Regulations

Zoning Restrictions:

Prohibited in R-1A and R-1B zone districts
Permitted in all other zones with Planning Commission approval

Primary Residence Requirement:

R-2, R-3, and R-L zones: Must be owner's primary dwelling
Maximum 60 days rental per calendar year in these zones
Minimum 2-night rental increments

Permit Structure:

Temporary Special Use Permit issued for 3 years
Renewable administratively by Zoning Officer
Subject to compliance verification and complaint review
Revocable for non-compliance

Operational Standards:

Must register with Rental Inspection Program
Subject to periodic inspections
No exterior alterations permitted
Cannot operate as rooming house or boarding house
Cannot sell meals to non-guests unless licensed as restaurant
Must maintain detailed renter records

Parking Requirements:

Off-street parking required
Determined case-by-case by Planning Commission
Cannot exceed Schedule II requirements

Compliance Requirements:

Chapter 748 Housing Standards compliance
NY State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code compliance
County and local lodging tax collection mandatory

State-Level Regulations (New York)

Building and Safety Standards:

NY State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code compliance required
Housing Standards compliance (Chapter 748 in City jurisdiction)
Maximum occupancy calculations must follow state guidelines

Tax Obligations:

County lodging tax collection required
Local lodging tax collection required
Proper record-keeping for tax remittance

Contact Information

Town of Canandaigua

Primary Contact:

Phone: (585) 394-1120
Email: info@townofcanandaigua.org
Address: 5440 Route 5 & 20 West, Canandaigua, NY 14424

Code Enforcement:

Contact through main town office
Inspection scheduling for Special Use Permits

Complaint Reporting:

Online Portal: secure.hostcompliance.com/canandaigua-ny/complaints/type
Hotline: (585) 577-7072

Permit Applications:

Cloudpermit: us.cloudpermit.com/login
Building Permit Module for STR permits
Planning Module for Special Use Permits

City of Canandaigua

Development and Planning Department:

Director: Richard E. Brown
Email: richard.brown@canandaiguanewyork.gov
Phone: (585) 337-2179
Fax: (585) 919-0605
Address: 2 N Main Street, Canandaigua, NY 14424

City Main Contact:

Phone: (585) 396-5000
Address: 2 North Main Street, Canandaigua, NY 14424

Planning Commission:

Special Use Permit approvals
Contact through Planning & Zoning Department

Source Pages

Town of Canandaigua Sources

City of Canandaigua Sources

Important Note for Investors: The regulatory environment between Town and City jurisdictions differs significantly. The Town allows more flexibility with higher occupancy limits and no annual rental day restrictions, while the City imposes strict primary residence requirements and 60-day annual limits in residential zones. Choose your investment location accordingly and ensure full compliance with the applicable jurisdiction's regulations.

Next step

Found a property in Canandaigua?

Paste any address and get estimated revenue, cash-on-cash return, and comparable STR performance in under 5 minutes. 3 free analyses per day.

Ask the AI Advisor about Canandaigua

Canandaigua is a small city in Ontario County, in the Finger Lakes region of western New York State, with a population of roughly 10,000 residents. Set at the northern tip of the lake that shares its name, it has long served as a summer resort destination and is widely regarded as the northern gateway to the Finger Lakes wine country, the region's string of glacially formed lakes, and the surrounding rolling farmland and gorges. The city has a walkable, traditional downtown, a historic courthouse square, and a relaxed, seasonal rhythm that shifts between a busy boating hub in summer and a leaf-peeping stop in autumn. Canandaigua sits about 30 miles southeast of Rochester, the nearest major city, with Buffalo roughly 90 miles to the west and Syracuse about 70 miles to the northeast.

Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion State Historic Park is one of the city's signature attractions, a 50-acre estate featuring a late-Victorian Queen Anne mansion, formal gardens, a Japanese garden, and a notable greenhouse complex. Located just outside the downtown core, it draws visitors through the warmer months with garden tours, concerts, and seasonal events that make it a perennial draw for travelers exploring the region.

Canandaigua Lake is the centerpiece of outdoor life in the area, a roughly 16-mile-long Finger Lake that is often counted among the cleanest bodies of water in the United States. Public launches, marinas, and waterfront parks line the north end near the city, making it a popular base for boating, sailing, swimming, and lakeside dining, while a historic steamboat offers narrated cruises on the lake during the summer season.

The surrounding region is one of the oldest and most celebrated wine-producing areas in the eastern United States. Canandaigua sits within an easy drive of dozens of vineyards and tasting rooms scattered around the lake and across the broader Finger Lakes, alongside farm stands, breweries, and distilleries that anchor the area's agritourism economy. A short drive south leads to Finger Lakes National Forest, a small but distinctive federally managed forest surrounded entirely by private land, offering hiking trails, primitive camping, and horseback riding roughly 45 minutes from the city.

Together, these assets make Canandaigua a natural fit for short-term rentals. Its compact, walkable downtown is paired with a waterfront that draws seasonal visitors, while the surrounding lakes, wineries, and outdoor recreation provide enough variety to fill weekends and longer stays. Positioned within easy reach of Rochester and the rest of the Finger Lakes, the city offers travelers a relaxed, lake-town base that consistently performs well across the spring, summer, and fall travel seasons.