Regulations >
New York >
Saranac Lake

Want to see how Saranac Lake compares to other top cities in New York?  Explore all city regulations in New York. →

C

Saranac Lake, NY

Challenging To Investors

Local STR Agent

Local STR Agent

Saranac Lake STR Expert
Saranac Lake, New York skyline

STR Regulations for Saranac Lake, New York

Comprehensive Short-Term Rental Guide: Saranac Lake, New York

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed?

YES — Short-term rentals (STRs) are allowed in Saranac Lake, New York, but they are heavily regulated with strict caps and permitting requirements. The village operates a permit-based system with limited availability, requiring both a Special Use Permit and an STR Permit. The village has implemented a cap system that limits total STR permits to preexisting permits plus only 10 new permits villagewide, with additional district-level restrictions.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Saranac Lake?

Saranac Lake hosts earn a median $34,909/year with $247 ADR and 51% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $53,694+ per year.

See the full Saranac Lake market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Saranac Lake

Step 1: Understand the Current Permit Availability

  • Villagewide Cap: Only 10 new STR permits are available in 2025, in addition to approximately 116 preexisting permits
  • District Caps: The village is divided into 35 districts, with most having no available permits
  • Available Zones: Only 9 districts have capacity for new STRs, mostly with just one slot each
  • Exception: District F-2 has two available slots

Step 2: Determine Your Eligibility

  • Residency Requirements: New STR permits have stricter residency requirements than preexisting ones
  • Application Priority: Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis
  • Property Location: Your property must be in a district with available capacity

Step 3: Apply for Permits

  1. Special Use Permit Application ($300 fee)

    • File with Community Development Director
    • Goes to Development Board for public hearing
    • Allows neighbors to voice approval or opposition

  2. STR Permit Application (after Special Use Permit approval)

    • Additional fees ranging from $25 to $1,600 based on operation size

Step 4: Consider Exemption Requests

  • If applying would exceed village or district caps, you need an exemption
  • Exemptions are only available for:
    • New construction creating STRs
    • Rehabilitation of dilapidated buildings
  • Exemptions require Village Board approval

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Required Applications

  1. Special Use Permit Application

    • Fee: $300
    • File with Community Development Director

  2. STR Permit Application

    • Fee: $25-$1,600 (based on operation size)
    • Submit after Special Use Permit approval

  3. Attachment Affidavit (for STR Permit Application)

    • Required documentation for STR application

Supporting Documentation

  • Proof of property ownership
  • Site plans and floor layouts
  • Occupancy calculations
  • Safety compliance documentation
  • House rules and management plans

Key Guidelines

  • Occupancy Requirements: Must comply with posted STR occupancy limits
  • House Rules: Must follow village-approved house rules
  • Safety Standards: Must meet all applicable safety codes
  • Zoning Compliance: Property must be in appropriate zoning district

Specific Regulations: Village, County, and State Level

Village of Saranac Lake Regulations

Permit Caps and Availability

  • Total Cap: Pre-existing permits + 10 new permits villagewide
  • District Formula:
    • Districts with 0-50 residential properties: No new permits
    • Districts with 51-200 residential properties: 1 new permit allowed
    • Districts with 200+ residential properties: 2 new permits allowed
  • Preexisting Permits: 116 units grandfathered, must renew by January 15 annually

Types of STR Permits

  • "Hosted" STRs: 1 available permit
  • "Unhosted" STRs: 0 available permits currently
  • Preexisting STRs: Existing permits that can be renewed

Recent Regulatory Changes (2025)

  • Stricter residency requirements for new permits
  • 200-foot separation requirement between STRs (proposed)
  • Elimination of "gray area" exceptions
  • Enhanced enforcement of unlicensed operations

Enforcement

  • Fines: $500 per day for violations
  • Active Monitoring: 16 active unlicensed STRs identified
  • Process: Certified letters sent to potential violators
  • Compliance Timeline: Property owners given time to remove listings

Occupancy and Safety

  • Maximum occupancy limits posted
  • Fire safety compliance required
  • Emergency contact information must be posted
  • Compliance with all building codes

County and State Regulations

  • No specific Franklin County STR regulations identified
  • Subject to New York State short-term rental laws (when enacted)
  • Must comply with all applicable state tax requirements
  • Subject to state building and fire safety codes

Contact Information for Local Authority

Primary Contact: Community Development Department

  • Phone: 518-892-4150 ext. 234
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM
  • Address: 39 Main Street, Suite 9, Saranac Lake, NY 12983-1733

Village Main Contact

  • Phone: (518) 891-4150
  • Email: [email protected]

Development Board

  • Handles Special Use Permit applications
  • Conducts public hearings on STR applications
  • Makes recommendations on permit approvals

Village Board of Trustees

  • Approves exemptions from permit caps
  • Sets overall STR policy
  • Hears appeals

Source Pages and Resources

Primary Village Resources

Required Applications

Guidelines and Resources

News Coverage

Important Note: The STR regulatory environment in Saranac Lake is actively evolving. The Village Board continues to review and amend regulations based on community feedback and housing stock analysis. Prospective operators should verify current requirements and availability with the Community Development Department before investing in property or beginning the permitting process.

Next step

Found a property in Saranac Lake?

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 Saranac Lake

Free brief

Get the free Saranac Lake STR Investment Brief

Revenue data, top neighborhoods, seasonal trends, and the key regulations for Saranac Lake, New York in one email.

Saranac Lake

Market Saturation Score

036912
Mild Saturation
2/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
2–4 declining months: early saturation pressure - watch for trend persistence.
View Full Saranac Lake Market Analysis

Photos of Saranac Lake

Overview of Saranac Lake

Saranac Lake is a small village nestled in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York, sitting primarily in Essex County with portions extending into Franklin County. With a year-round population of roughly 5,000 residents, it carries the character of a classic mountain village, where 19th-century cure cottages share the landscape with hiking trails, cross-country ski routes, and the mirror-still waters of three connected lakes. The village is best known as a gateway to the High Peaks region of the Adirondack Park and as a sister community to nearby Lake Placid, and it lies roughly 150 miles north of Albany, the nearest major city.

Just a short drive east of Saranac Lake, the town of Lake Placid offers a concentration of activity that draws visitors year after year. The community hosted the Winter Olympic Games in both 1932 and 1980, and today visitors can tour the Olympic ski jumps, the speedskating oval, and the ski lifts that served those events at Lake Placid. The drive between the two villages is about ten miles and takes roughly twenty minutes, making it easy for travelers staying in Saranac Lake to spend a day exploring Olympic Center venues, browsing the bustling Main Street shops, or riding the Cloudsplitter Gondola up Whiteface Mountain during the warmer months.

Within the village itself, the Saranac Laboratory stands as a quiet but significant landmark in American medical history. Established in the late 19th century by Dr. Edward Livingston Trudeau, it became the country's first laboratory dedicated to the study and treatment of tuberculosis, helping to launch the Adirondack region's reputation as a destination for fresh-air "cures." The restored building now operates as a museum, offering a thoughtful look at the early days of microbiological research and the village's role in public health history.

Outdoor recreation defines the broader setting as much as any single landmark. Saranac Lake sits within Adirondack Park, the largest publicly protected area in the contiguous United States, and serves as a launching point for paddling trips on the Saranac Lakes chain, hikes into the High Peaks wilderness, and autumn leaf-peeping drives along the surrounding byways. Mount Marcy, the highest peak in New York State, can be reached from nearby trailheads in roughly an hour, and the village's own Riverwalk, ice rinks, and Winter Carnival ice palace keep locals and guests engaged through every season.

Saranac Lake's appeal for short-term rental owners lies in the way it bundles authentic Adirondack village atmosphere with easy access to some of the most storied outdoor and Olympic destinations in the Northeast. Travelers who want a quieter, more residential base than bustling Lake Placid often find that Saranac Lake delivers the same mountains, lakes, and cultural draw without the crowds, making it a versatile anchor for a four-season rental strategy.

Want to know if a property in Saranac Lake is a good investment?

Enter an address to get instant revenue potential and comps.