Schroon Lake, New York

Short-term rentals, rentals of a dwelling for under 30 consecutive days, excluding hotels, motels, bed-and-breakfasts, inns, and campgrounds, are legal townwide in the Town of Schroon but require a Short-Term Rental Permit under Local Law #2 of 2021, adopted September 13, 2021, amended January 24, 2022, with enforcement beginning January 1, 2023. Owner-occupancy is not required and there is no annual night cap. The application, signed by all owners, requires a permit fee set by Town Board resolution, a copy of the deed, a signed compliance statement, proof of STR insurance, and, for properties on private septic, proof the tank was pumped within 3 years plus an inspection, and a potable water test every 3 years for private wells. The Code Enforcement Officer has 30 days to inspect and issue or deny; permits are valid 3 years, non-transferable, and set maximum occupancy at 2 people per bedroom plus 2 (a 3-bedroom home tops out at 8), along with vehicle limits. Operating standards include smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, egress windows, fire extinguishers, posted rules signed by guests, secured garbage, a visible 911 number, and a 24/7 local contact who must respond to complaints within 1 hour. STRs must register with the Essex County Occupancy Tax Program, a 5% county bed tax. Separately, New York State’s 2024 STR law now requires platforms to collect a 4% state sales tax and county registration statewide, effective around March 2025. Violations are punishable by fines up to $950 per offense, plus permit revocation and injunctive action. Enforcement is classified as moderate.