Short-Term Rental Guide: Malone, NY

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

Yes, short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Malone, NY. Malone is located within Franklin County, NY, and the county has established a regulatory framework that permits short-term rental operations. As of 2020, there were 168 properties registered with Franklin County for short-term rental operations, with county officials actively working to increase registration compliance among property owners.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Malone, NY

Based on the regulatory framework in place, the process for starting a short-term rental business involves:

Step 1: Property Preparation and Compliance

• Ensure your property meets basic safety and occupancy standards
• Obtain a certificate of occupancy if required (note: a certificate of occupancy only indicates the property meets legal requirements for occupancy, not STR registration)

Step 2: County Registration

• Register your property with Franklin County to collect the 5% occupancy tax
• Complete the county registration process through the County Treasurer's Office
• Note: Registration with the county is separate from any local building permits or certificates

Step 3: Platform Registration

• List your property on platforms like Airbnb, which will collect and remit the occupancy tax on your behalf
• Ensure accurate property location information on listing platforms (Franklin County has reported issues with VRBO listing properties in incorrect locations)

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Required Registrations:

1. County Registration: Property must be registered with Franklin County to collect the 5% occupancy tax
2. Certificate of Occupancy: May be required through local code enforcement (though this is separate from STR registration)

Tax Obligations:

1. 5% Occupancy Tax (Bed Tax): Required on short-term rentals, similar to hotel and motel rooms
2. Platform Collection: Airbnb collects this tax automatically from property owners using their platform and remits it to the county
3. Self-Collection: For properties not listed on platforms like Airbnb, owners must collect and remit the tax directly

Safety and Compliance Standards:

• Property must meet legal occupancy requirements
• Standard safety regulations for rental properties apply

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

Franklin County Regulations:

• Occupancy Tax: 5% tax on short-term rentals, same rate as hotels and motels
• Registration Requirement: Property owners must register with Franklin County
• Enforcement: County has established a tip line for anonymous reporting of unregistered rental properties
• County Oversight: County Treasurer's Office manages registration and tax collection

County Enforcement Activities:

• Active monitoring of registered properties (168 as of 2020)
• Investigation of potentially unregistered properties
• Coordination with online rental platforms for tax collection
• Address inaccurate property location listings on platforms like VRBO

State-Level Considerations:

According to the provided sources, New York State authorized counties to create their own registries for short-term rental properties in January 2025, providing local governments with tools to monitor STR economic impact and housing availability effects.

Contact Information for Local Authority

Franklin County Officials:

• County Treasurer's Office: Primary authority for STR registration and occupancy tax collection
• County Legislature: Oversight body for county regulations
• Planning/Zoning Department: For any zoning-related inquiries

Note: The specific phone numbers and email addresses for the County Treasurer's Office are not provided in the available content. Property owners should contact the Franklin County Courthouse for current contact information.

Important Considerations

Current Market Context:

• Despite tourism downturns (like during COVID-19), Franklin County saw continued STR registration growth
• County actively works with online platforms like Airbnb and VRBO for tax collection
• Some property owners are unaware of registration requirements, confusing certificates of occupancy with STR registration

Enforcement Environment:

• Franklin County has implemented anonymous tip lines to identify unregistered properties
• The county has limited staff for enforcement but is actively pursuing compliance
• Property location accuracy on listing platforms is an ongoing enforcement concern

Source Links

1. Franklin County planning 'tip line' for unregistered rental properties: www.mymalonetelegram.com/top_stories/franklin-county-planning-tip-line-for-unregistered-rental-properties/article_aa49b461-686a-5a1f-9041-836018739475.html

2. New Airbnb Laws and Short-Term Rental Regulations (General): www.persingergroup.com/blog/new-airbnb-laws-short-term-rentals/

3. Malone Traveler Study (Market Research): www.roostadk.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Malone-Traveler-Study-DOS-Survey-Results.pdf

Disclaimer: This guide is based on the limited information provided in the web search results. Property owners should contact the Franklin County Treasurer's Office directly for the most current registration requirements, fees, and procedures. Local zoning laws and additional regulations may apply that are not covered in the available sources.