Lake Placid Short-Term Rental Regulations
| Permit | ✓ Required — Short-Term Rental Permit ($200) |
| Primary Residence | Not required |
| Annual Day Limit | 90 days |
| Tax Rate | 13% |
| Max Penalty | $3,000 per violation |
| Insurance | Not required |
New to short-term rentals? Jump to the compliance checklist →
Permit & Licensing
Short-Term Rental Permit
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Initial cost | $200 |
| Renewal | $200 / 2 years |
This permit type does not require primary residence. Zoning restriction: Permitted in all zoning districts of the Village of Lake Placid and Town of North Elba, except the portion of the Town of North Elba located within the Village of Saranac Lake.
Application Process
Application submitted to the Enforcement Officer with permit fee, notarized compliance affidavit, site plan, and septic inspection report (if applicable); Enforcement Officer has 30 days to review and either issue the permit (with or without conditions) or deny in writing with reasons; property inspection may be required
Tax Obligations
| Tax | Rate | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Sales Tax | 4% | New York State |
| Essex County Sales Tax | 4% | Essex County |
| Essex County Hotel/Motel Occupancy Tax | 5% | Essex County |
Combined rate: 13% of gross rental income.
Rental Limits
Lake Placid limits short-term rentals to 90 days per year. Each individual stay must be 29 nights or fewer per stay.
Occupancy & Density Limits
Most restrictive of: 2 occupants per bedroom (NYS Building Code compliant bedrooms) plus 2 additional occupants; or for studios, 2 occupants for first 220 sq ft plus 1 additional occupant per additional 100 sq ft; or septic system capacity, whichever is lowest
Zoning & Restrictions
STRs permitted in all zoning districts of the Village of Lake Placid and Town of North Elba; excluded only in the portion of the Town of North Elba located within the Village of Saranac Lake
Insurance & Safety
Insurance
Lake Placid does not require short-term rental operators to carry specific insurance. Standard homeowner policies often exclude short-term rental activity, so many hosts obtain dedicated short-term rental or landlord liability coverage. No specific insurance requirement stated in Section 11.
Safety & Operating Requirements
- One functioning smoke detector in each bedroom and at least one functioning smoke detector in at least one other room
- One functioning fire extinguisher in the kitchen and in each room with an open flame source
- At least one carbon monoxide detector
- Exterior doors operational and passageways clear
- Electrical systems serviceable
- All fireplaces, fireplace inserts, fuel-burning heaters and furnaces vented and properly installed, with flues cleaned within 12 months of application
- Each bedroom in compliance with the New York State Building Code
- Each bedroom at least 70 square feet in size
- Sufficient off-street parking (one vehicle per bedroom)
- Weekly garbage removal during rental periods with secured, tight-fitting containers
- House number visible from the street or road
- No campers or overnight camping in tents on the property
- Property must have a meter for water and sewer service
Penalties for Non-Compliance
First offense: fine of $350-$1,000; second offense within 5 years: fine of $1,000-$3,000; each week of continued violation constitutes a separate additional violation
Compliance Checklist
Follow these steps to legally operate a short-term rental in Lake Placid:
- Meet safety requirements. One functioning smoke detector in each bedroom and at least one functioning smoke detector in at least one other room. One functioning fire extinguisher in the kitchen and in each room with an open flame source. At least one carbon monoxide detector. Exterior doors operational and passageways clear. Electrical systems serviceable. All fireplaces, fireplace inserts, fuel-burning heaters and furnaces vented and properly installed, with flues cleaned within 12 months of application. Each bedroom in compliance with the New York State Building Code. Each bedroom at least 70 square feet in size. Sufficient off-street parking (one vehicle per bedroom). Weekly garbage removal during rental periods with secured, tight-fitting containers. House number visible from the street or road. No campers or overnight camping in tents on the property. Property must have a meter for water and sewer service.
- Apply for Short-Term Rental Permit. Submit application + $200 fee.
- Register for tax accounts. Set up lodging tax accounts with Essex County Treasurer's Office (Occupancy Tax Program).
- Collect and remit taxes. 13% on all bookings.
- Renew every 2 years. $200 renewal fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do you need a permit to run an Airbnb in Lake Placid?
- Yes. Operating a short-term rental — including an Airbnb or Vrbo — in Lake Placid requires a Short-Term Rental Permit.
- How much does a short-term rental permit cost in Lake Placid?
- A Short-Term Rental Permit in Lake Placid costs $200 per year.
- Does Lake Placid require a short-term rental to be your primary residence?
- No. Lake Placid allows non-owner-occupied short-term rentals, so investment properties can qualify provided you hold the required permit.
- How many days a year can you short-term rent in Lake Placid?
- Lake Placid limits short-term rentals to 90 days per year.
- What taxes do you pay on a short-term rental in Lake Placid?
- Short-term rental stays in Lake Placid are subject to a combined 13% in lodging taxes. This combines 4% New York State Sales Tax + 4% Essex County Sales Tax + 5% Essex County Hotel/Motel Occupancy Tax. The host is responsible for collecting and remitting them.
- What happens if you run a short-term rental without a permit in Lake Placid?
- Operating without a permit can cost up to $3,000.
Tools for Short-Term Rental Hosts
AdServices that help hosts handle the legal, management, pricing, and cleaning side of a short-term rental.