Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Hornell, NY?

Yes. Short-term rentals (STRs) are explicitly allowed in the City of Hornell under §120-3 of the City Code. STRs are defined as a dwelling unit, or portion thereof, rented for a fee for less than 28 consecutive nights to persons other than the owner or immediate family, including rentals facilitated by platforms like Airbnb. No STR may operate without a valid Certificate of Occupancy (COO) issued by the Building Inspector, and STRs must comply with all applicable building, fire, health, zoning, noise, and property maintenance ordinances.

Steuben County also requires STRs to register and remit the 4% county occupancy tax on the same basis as hotels and motels. At the state level, New York does not impose a separate state-level registration or fee specifically for STRs, but properties must comply with the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code and other relevant state laws. There are no New York State short-term rental registration mandates comparable to New York City’s Local Law 18; instead, compliance is largely driven by local (city/county) rules and the state building code.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Hornell

• Confirm the property is zoned and suitable for residential rental use and that no HOA, lease, or neighborhood covenants prohibit short-term rental operations.
• Designate a local agent who is at least 18 years old, resides in Hornell or within an hour’s drive, and is authorized to accept legal service on behalf of the property owner/landlord.
• Obtain a Certificate of Occupancy (COO) from the Building Inspector. The COO certifies compliance with building, fire, and health codes (New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code).
• Comply with city operational standards, including semiannual inspections, and ensure ongoing compliance with noise, zoning, and property maintenance codes.
• Register with Steuben County for the 4% occupancy tax, file quarterly returns, and remit occupancy taxes promptly. The County has software in place to identify STRs and will send registration guidance to identified properties.
• Maintain records (COO, agent designation, inspection logs, and county filings) and be prepared for inspections and audits.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

• Certificate of Occupancy (COO)
  • Issued by the Building Inspector prior to any STR operation
  • Must remain valid for the duration of operations
  • Compliance with New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code and applicable health codes is required
• Designated Local Agent Information
  • Name, address, and phone number of the agent (at least 18 years old; Hornell resident or within one hour’s drive)
  • Must be submitted to the Codes Office before the COO is issued
• Steuben County Occupancy Tax Registration
  • STRs are subject to the 4% county occupancy tax
  • File quarterly returns; expect direct outreach from the County’s Finance Office
• Operational and Inspection Records
  • Evidence of compliance with building, fire, health, zoning, noise, and property maintenance ordinances
  • Semiannual inspection records and any emergency inspection records

Specific Regulations: City of Hornell

• Permitted Use and Duration
  • STRs: rentals for less than 28 consecutive nights to non-owners
  • Hotels/motels: regulated elsewhere in the Code (outside the scope of §120-3)
• Certificate of Occupancy (COO)
  • Required before using any dwelling unit as an STR
  • Confirms compliance with building, fire, and health codes (NY State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code)
• Inspections
  • Semiannual inspections by the Building Inspector (or designee)
  • Emergency inspections allowed without prior notice if an immediate threat to life, health, or safety exists
• Enforcement and Penalties
  • Violations include failure to maintain a valid COO or to allow inspections
  • Penalties per §1-1 of the City Code: first offense $75–$250; second offense $150–$250; third offense $250 and/or up to 15 days imprisonment
  • Each day of continued non-compliance may constitute a separate offense
• Agent Designation Requirement
  • All landlords/property owners must designate an agent (18+; resides in Hornell or within an hour’s drive) to accept legal service prior to issuance of the COO
• General Code Compliance
  • Zoning, noise, and property maintenance laws apply (e.g., noise must not disturb neighbors; property maintenance and nuisance provisions apply)
  • While not STR-specific, these ordinances affect guest behavior, exterior upkeep, and ongoing compliance

County-Level Regulations (Steuben County)

• Occupancy Tax
  • 4% occupancy tax applies to STRs, hotels, motels, and bed-and-breakfasts
  • STRs are included in the County’s occupancy tax local law
  • Registration and quarterly filing are required; the County uses software to identify STRs and will send mailings to assist with compliance
• Contact for Occupancy Tax
  • Steuben County Finance Office
  • Location: 3 East Pulteney Square, Bath, NY 14810
  • Phone: (607) 664-2252
  • Additional guidance available on the County’s Local Law page

State-Level Regulations (New York State)

• New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code
  • STRs must comply with state building and fire safety standards enforced via the COO
• Municipal Home Rule
  • New York allows municipalities to regulate STRs locally; Hornell and Steuben County have adopted specific requirements
• New York City Local Law 18 (Local Law 146 of 2021) vs. Statewide Rules
  • New York City imposes additional registration and reporting obligations specific to STR platforms and operators (e.g., registration numbers, compliance windows), which are not statewide requirements
  • Outside NYC, STR compliance in New York is driven by local laws and the state building code; there is no separate statewide registration, fee, or platform compliance law analogous to NYC’s

Contact Information for Local Authorities

• City of Hornell Codes Department (Building Inspector)
  • Location: City Hall, 36 Main St, Hornell, NY 14843
  • Phone: (607) 324-0261
  • Primary local authority for COO issuance, inspections, and code enforcement for STRs
• Steuben County Finance Office (Occupancy Tax)
  • Address: 3 East Pulteney Square, Bath, NY 14810
  • Phone: (607) 664-2252
  • Email: finance (@) steubencountyny.gov
  • Responsible for occupancy tax registration and quarterly filing

Source Links

• Hornell City Code, Resolution HN 25-50, §120-3 Short-Term Rental Regulations, and related city code provisions:
  • ecode360.com/HO1346/laws/LF2492446.pdf
• Steuben County Occupancy Tax Local Law (updated to include short-term rentals):
  • www.steubencountyny.gov/328/Local-Law
• Background article on city code modernization noting STRs and related issues:
  • www.eveningtribune.com/story/news/local/2024/12/13/hornell-ny-examines-old-codes-on-the-books/76942482007/

Practical Notes for STR Investors

• Because Hornell has codified STR rules, the COO and semiannual inspection cadence should be treated as core business operations rather than after-the-fact compliance.
• Align guest policies and house rules with local noise, property maintenance, and nuisance provisions to minimize enforcement risk and negative neighbor interactions.
• Build the 4% county occupancy tax into pricing and cash flow models, and set calendar reminders for quarterly filings.
• Confirm zoning and neighborhood covenants early; even if STRs are allowed by city law, private restrictions can still prevent operation.