Prepared from the Town of Rensselaerville Zoning Law (PDF) and applicable New York State statutes.

1. Overview – Are STRs Allowed in Rensselaerville?

Yes, short‑term rentals are permitted in Rensselaerville, but only under the “lodging” use categories expressly defined in the Town’s Zoning Law.

• The Zoning Law does not contain a standalone “short‑term rental” definition.
• The closest authorized uses are “Bed and Breakfast” and “Boarding House” (both Special‑Use (SP) uses in every zoning district).
• A short‑term rental that meets the Bed‑and‑Breakfast definition (owner‑occupied, ≤10 rooms, ≤1 meal per day) can be operated after obtaining a Special Use Permit and Site‑Plan Review from the Planning Board, then securing a Zoning Permit from the Code Enforcement Officer.
• If the operation does not meet the Bed‑and‑Breakfast criteria, it would be treated as a Boarding House, which also requires an SP and site‑plan approval.

Bottom line: STRs are allowed provided the property complies with the Bed‑and‑Breakfast or Boarding‑House standards and all required local approvals are obtained.

2. Zoning Classification of STR‑Related Uses

2.1 Definitions (Article III, §2)

| Term | Definition (excerpt) | |------|----------------------| | Bed and Breakfast | “An owner‑occupied dwelling used for renting **no