Is Airbnb legal in Rochester, NY?
AllowedThese rules are changing or in active litigation. Verify the current status directly before you rely on it.
Airbnb is allowed in Rochester, NY
The city of Rochester in Monroe County has no STR-specific ordinance, so STRs operate as ordinary residential rentals under general zoning. A 2025 New York law applies sales tax to STR stays and authorized a county registry, but Monroe County voted to opt out. County hotel occupancy tax still applies. Do not confuse this with the separate Town of Rochester in Ulster County, which has a strict STR permit law.
Verified July 2026. Not legal advice. Rules change and may be enforced differently than written. Confirm with the city before you list.
Key rules at a glance
Permit or registration
Not required
Primary residence only
No
Annual night cap
Not confirmed
Registration fee
See ordinance
How short-term rentals work in Rochester
The city of Rochester in Monroe County has no STR-specific ordinance, so STRs operate as ordinary residential rentals under general zoning. A 2025 New York law applies sales tax to STR stays and authorized a county registry, but Monroe County voted to opt out. County hotel occupancy tax still applies. Do not confuse this with the separate Town of Rochester in Ulster County, which has a strict STR permit law.
Rochester broadly permits short-term rentals. Expect to register and collect lodging tax, but there is real room for an investor STR strategy.
At the state level, New York leaves short-term rental rules to cities and counties.
What it means for investors
Rochester is relatively open to short-term rentals, so an STR strategy is on the table. Run the numbers on a specific property, and compare it to a straight long-term rental to see which pencils better.
Short-term rental rules elsewhere in New York
Last reviewed July 2026. Informational and educational only, not legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created. Rules change and may be enforced differently than written. Verify the current ordinance with your local jurisdiction or counsel before acting.
Frequently asked questions
Is Airbnb legal in Rochester?
The city of Rochester in Monroe County has no STR-specific ordinance, so STRs operate as ordinary residential rentals under general zoning. A 2025 New York law applies sales tax to STR stays and authorized a county registry, but Monroe County voted to opt out. County hotel occupancy tax still applies. Do not confuse this with the separate Town of Rochester in Ulster County, which has a strict STR permit law. This reflects the rules as of July 2026; confirm the current ordinance with the city before you list.
Do I need a permit to run a short-term rental in Rochester?
Based on the current information, Rochester does not require a specific short-term rental permit, though a general business license and lodging-tax registration may still apply. Always confirm with the city.
Can I run a non-owner-occupied Airbnb in Rochester?
Yes, Rochester does not require you to live in the property, though other limits such as caps, zoning, or licensing may still apply.
Is there a limit on how many nights I can rent in Rochester?
No specific annual night cap was confirmed for Rochester, though minimum-stay rules or license caps may effectively limit operations. Check the ordinance.
What taxes apply to a short-term rental in Rochester?
Short-term rentals in Rochester are generally subject to state and local lodging or occupancy taxes on top of income tax. Airbnb and VRBO collect some of these automatically, but not always all of them, so confirm the current rate and who remits it with New York and the city.