Overview: Are short‑term rentals allowed in Stamford, NY?

• Short‑term rentals are allowed in the Village of Stamford, but only with a valid Village‑issued Short‑Term Rental (STR) permit and ongoing compliance with the Village’s local law. Operating without a permit is a violation subject to fines and potential permit suspension or revocation. [VOS Local Law 1/2023, Sections IV–V][1]
• The STR local law imposes minimum safety, occupancy, parking, waste, insurance, and registration standards modeled on those for similar transient lodging. It requires a Certificate of Occupancy and annual fire/safety inspections. [VOS Local Law 1/2023, Section V; Section VII][1]
• Units are limited to single‑family dwellings, with a maximum of five bedrooms/sleeping rooms and occupancy limited to 10 persons or fewer. Multi‑family dwellings are prohibited for STR use. [VOS Local Law 1/2023, Section V.D–E][1]
• Registration for and collection/remittance of Delaware County occupancy (bed) tax is required as part of the STR application. [VOS Local Law 1/2023, Section VI.B(3)][1]
• If you operate outside the Village but within the Town of Stamford or Delaware County, there is no separate publicly provided STR‑specific local law in the content provided. State‑level New York rules (e.g., NYS Multiple Dwelling Law and NYS sales tax obligations) still apply; see the “State‑level NY Rules” section. The County’s occupancy tax registration is required. [See County Bed Tax source][2]

How to start a short‑term rental business in this market

• Confirm your property’s eligibility: the unit must be a single‑family dwelling in the Village of Stamford with a valid Certificate of Occupancy; multi‑family buildings are not permitted for STR use. [VOS Local Law 1/2023, Section V.C–D][1]
• Appoint a Property Manager or Local Emergency Contact who can respond within one hour to emergencies and guest issues; this person must be named on the permit and application. [VOS Local Law 1/2023, Section III][1]
• Prepare the application and required documents:
  • STR address and SBL number.
  • Contact information (Property Owner, Property Manager/Local Emergency Contact).
  • Delaware County Occupancy Tax Registration number (see County resources).
  • Floor plans for each bedroom/sleeping room with dimensions, occupancy, and ingress/egress.
  • Site plat (boundaries and features within 100 feet; include well, septic, parking, fire features).
  • Maximum occupancy request (Code Enforcement Officer will determine the final limit).
  • Waste removal plan (contract or weekly removal; depict dumpster on plat if present).
  • Parking plan (off‑street; one space per bedroom/sleeping room; no front‑yard parking).
  • Proof of STR insurance (company, policy number, declaration page). [VOS Local Law 1/2023, Section VI.B][1]
• Submit the complete application and fee to the Village of Stamford Code Enforcement Officer before operation. [VOS Local Law 1/2023, Section VI.A][1]
• Complete inspections:
  • Initial inspection covering Certificate of Occupancy, building safety, occupancy limits, fire safety (smoke and CO alarms, extinguishers, egress), and 911 address posting (numbers at least four inches high). [VOS Local Law 1/2023, Section VII.A; 2022 law also references extinguishers][1][3]
  • Annual fire/safety inspections are required thereafter. [VOS Local Law 1/2023, Section VII.B][1]
• Post House Rules in each unit; install a fire‑safety notice on the interior side of each bedroom entrance for transient use. [VOS Local Law 1/2023, Sections IV and V.F][1]
• Operate year‑round with compliance:
  • Maintain maximum occupancy and bedroom/room limits.
  • Provide and maintain required parking and 911 address signage.
  • Ensure weekly waste removal or contracted service.
  • Keep insurance current and notify the Village Clerk of any contact changes promptly. [VOS Local Law 1/2023, Section V.G–J][1]
• Renew your STR permit annually before expiration. Applications are due by November 31; late renewals are treated as initial applications for fee purposes. [VOS Local Law 1/2023, Section V.B][1]
• Prepare for enforcement and complaints:
  • Guests and neighbors are directed to contact the on‑permit contact first; unresolved complaints proceed to the Code Enforcement Officer (CEO). The CEO may issue warnings, orders, suspend up to six months, or revoke the permit. Unlawfully operating without a permit can incur fines. [VOS Local Law 1/2023, Section VIII; VOS Local Law 2022, Section V][1][3]
• For taxes:
  • Register for and collect/remit Delaware County occupancy (bed) tax. [VOS Local Law 1/2023, Section VI.B(3)][1]
  • For NYS sales tax on rentals of fewer than 90 days, consult the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance (see “State‑level NY Rules”). [NYS guidance referenced below][4]

Tip: STRs in Stamford experience strong seasonality aligned with Catskills tourism. While this guide covers regulatory requirements, local market analytics and professional management can materially affect performance.

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

• Village STR Permit and Annual Renewal
  • Eligibility: single‑family dwellings only; valid Certificate of Occupancy required. [VOS Local Law 1/2023, Section V.C–D][1]
  • Application content (minimum): STR address and SBL; Property Owner, Property Manager/Local Emergency Contact info; County Occupancy Tax Registration #; floor plans (bedrooms/sleeping rooms, occupancy, egress); site plat; maximum occupancy request; waste plan; parking plan; proof of STR insurance (declaration page). [VOS Local Law 1/2023, Section VI.B][1]
  • Inspections: initial inspection for safety/occupancy/fire features and signage; annual fire/safety inspections thereafter. [VOS Local Law 1/2023, Section VII][1]
  • Fees (initial and renewal): $150.00 for first bedroom/sleeping room; $75.00 for each additional bedroom/sleeping room. Renewals (kept current) pay $75.00 per additional room; expired permits revert to initial fees; fire/safety inspection fees per current Village schedule. [VOS Local Law 1/2023, “Short‑Term Rental Fee Schedule 2023”][1]
  • Renewal timeline: submit renewal application at least 30 days before expiration; applications due no later than November 31. [VOS Local Law 1/2023, Section V.B][1]
• Delaware County Occupancy (Bed) Tax Registration
  • Required to list on the application and for ongoing compliance. Obtain your registration number and remittance schedule from Delaware County. [VOS Local Law 1/2023, Section VI.B(3)][1][2]
• House Rules Posting (per unit)
  • 911 instructions; emergency exit plan; fire extinguister locations; property boundary map and trespass statement; waste removal procedures; noise rules; designated parking; outdoor fire rules (clean wood/charcoal; no open burning; specify whether firepit/fireplace/woodstove is allowed and provide instructions). [VOS Local Law 1/2023, Section IV; 2022 law][1][3]
• Fire‑Safety Notice (per bedroom door for transient use)
  • Must include: location of fire extinguishers, means of egress, location of fire alarm transmission (if any), and evacuation procedures for fire/smoke/alarm activation. [VOS Local Law 1/2023, Section V.F][1]
• Safety and Code Compliance
  • 911 address posted in four‑inch numbers at the curb; no front‑yard parking; fire extinguisher certification annually; off‑street parking one space per bedroom/sleeping room (subject to Zoning Law and case‑by‑case discretion by CEO). [VOS Local Law 1/2023, Section V.G; Section VII.A(5) and A(4)][1]
• Waste and Sanitation
  • Property Owner/Manager responsible for refuse; weekly removal or contracted service; refuse kept in approved containers; depict dumpster location on the site plat if present. Renters are not permitted to use the Harpersfield Transfer Station without a Town of Harpersfield permit. [VOS Local Law 1/2023, Section V.H; 2022 law][1][3]
• Insurance
  • Maintain STR insurance; provide insurance company, policy number, and declaration page with the application. [VOS Local Law 1/2023, Section VI.B(9)][1]
• Notarized NYS SOP (disclosure)
  • NY Real Estate§ 442‑H requires a written disclosure concerning brokerage services; not specific to STRs but standard in NY real‑estate transactions. [NYS SOP][5]

Specific regulations for short‑term rentals: Village, County, and State

Village of Stamford (Local Law 1 of 2023; replaces 2022 law)

• Permit Requirement
  • Unlawful to operate STR without a permit; permits expire December 31; initial permits filed after November 1 extend through December 31 of the subsequent year; renewals run January 1–December 31; late renewals are treated as initial permits for fee purposes. [VOS Local Law 1/2023, Section V.B][1]
• Structure and Occupancy
  • STRs limited to single‑family dwellings; prohibited in multi‑family dwellings. Maximum five bedrooms/sleeping rooms; maximum 10 persons. Rentals with more than five rooms sleeping more than 10 persons are deemed hotels/motels and subject to those regulations. [VOS Local Law 1/2023, Section V.D–E][1]
• Inspections and Safety
  • Initial and annual fire/safety inspections required; 911 address must be posted at the curb in numbers at least four inches high; fire extinguisher certification required annually. All fire safety features must meet current NYS Fire Code. [VOS Local Law 1/2023, Section VII.A–B][1]
• Posting and Documentation
  • House Rules must be posted in the unit; a Fire‑Safety Notice must be affixed to the occupied side of each bedroom entrance used by guests. Permit copy must be displayed in a conspicuous location in the dwelling unit. [VOS Local Law 1/2023, Section IV; Section V.F; 2022 law][1][3]
• Parking and Access
  • Provide off‑street parking for occupancy; generally one space per bedroom/sleeping room; must comply with Village Zoning Law and not obstruct fire/safety access; vehicles shall not be parked on front lawns. [VOS Local Law 1/2023, Section V.G][1]
• Waste and Sanitation
  • Owner/Manager must manage refuse via contracted service or weekly removal; keep refuse in approved containers; depict dumpster location on the plat if applicable; renters may not use the Harpersfield Transfer Station without a Town of Harpersfield permit. [VOS Local Law 1/2023, Section V.H; 2022 law][1][3]
• Occupancy Tax Registration
  • Delaware County Occupancy Tax Registration number must be provided on the application; ongoing compliance with bed tax collection/remittance is required. [VOS Local Law 1/2023, Section VI.B(3); County guidance][1][2]
• Enforcement and Penalties
  • Complaints begin with the on‑permit contact; unresolved issues proceed to the Village Code Enforcement Officer (CEO). CEO may issue warnings, orders, suspend up to six months, or revoke the permit; revocations bar reapplication for one year; appeals go to the Village Board with the CEO’s decision stayed pending hearing. Operating without a permit: $250–$500 first offense; $500–$1,000 second offense within five years; each week of violation is a separate offense. [VOS Local Law 1/2023, Section VIII; Section IX; VOS Local Law 2022, Section V][1][3]
• Transferability and Contacts
  • Permits cannot be assigned, pledged, sold, or transferred to other persons or properties; notify Village Clerk promptly of contact changes; House Rules must be revised accordingly. [VOS Local Law 1/2023, Section V.I–J][1]
• Relationship to Zoning
  • The Board determined STRs have little impact on existing zoning; the STR Permit process meets the requirements of site plan review for STRs only, and the STR local law takes precedence over the Zoning Law for STRs. [VOS Local Law 1/2023, Section II][1]

Note: The 2023 law supersedes the 2022 local law; if any condition below conflicts with the 2023 law, the 2023 provision governs. [VOS Local Law 1/2023; VOS Local Law 2022][1][3]

Delaware County

• Occupancy (Bed) Tax
  • STR hosts must register for and collect/remit the Delaware County occupancy tax as part of compliance; the STR application requires the County registration number. Obtain registration details and remittance requirements from the County. [VOS Local Law 1/2023, Section VI.B(3)][1][2]

State of New York

• NYS Multiple Dwelling Law ( بحث)
  • In buildings with three or more units, rentals of fewer than 30 days are prohibited unless the owner resides on the premises. This is a statewide limitation relevant to investors considering multi‑unit buildings. [General NYS law context; not in Stamford Village code][4]
• NYS Sales Tax
  • Short‑term rentals of fewer than 90 days are generally subject to NYS sales tax; hosts are responsible for registration, collection, and remittance. Consult the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance for rates, filing, and any local additions. [General NYS guidance][4]
• NYS Uniform Codes and Safety
  • STRs must comply with the NYS Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code and the NYS Fire Code, including smoke/CO alarms, fire extinguishers, egress, and safety equipment. These are embedded in Village inspection requirements. [VOS Local Law 1/2023, Section VII][1]

Note: The provided content does not include a Town of Stamford‑specific STR law. If you operate in the Town outside the Village, follow Village‑level STR rules only if your property is within Village boundaries; otherwise, you must adhere to applicable NYS law and Delaware County requirements.

Contact information (Village of Stamford authority for STRs)

• Code Enforcement Officer (STR applications, inspections, enforcement):
  • Address: Village of Stamford, 84 Main Street, Stamford, NY 12167
  • Website: villageofstamfordny.gov [Village contact and code enforcement are referenced throughout the STR local law][1]
• Village Clerk (permit issuance, renewals, records, contact updates):
  • Address: Village of Stamford, 84 Main Street, Stamford, NY 12167
  • Website: villageofstamfordny.gov [Village Clerk is designated for notifications and permit administration][1][3]
• Delaware County (occupancy tax registration and remittance):
  • Refer to Delaware County’s official resources for registration and collection. [County occupancy tax guidance is the authoritative source][2]

Note: For formal legal service of orders or appearance tickets, the Village may use certified mail or personal service as described in the enforcement sections. [VOS Local Law 1/2023, Section VIII][1]

Links to source pages

• Village of Stamford Local Law (2022) — Short Term Rentals: villageofstamfordny.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/VOS-STR-Local-Law-Watermark-1.pdf
• Village of Stamford Local Law 1 of 2023 — Short Term Rentals: cdn.townweb.com/villageofstamfordny.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Final-Draft-Village-of-Stamford-Short-Term-Rental-Local-Law-of-2023.pdf
• Delaware County Occupancy (Bed) Tax — Official Page (County resources; consult for registration and rem