Short-Term Rentals in Amherst, NY (2026)
2 verified short-term rentals rules for Amherst, New York, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Short-Term Rental Permits
Anyone renting a dwelling unit in the Town of Amherst for one to thirty days needs a short-term rental registration certificate from the Building Department before renting it out, and the property must pass an annual inspection to keep that certificate active.
Amherst Short-Term Rental Certificate Rule
Significant RestrictionsAmherst Code § 44-4(A)(10)
SHORT TERM RENTAL The rental of a dwelling unit for a time period between one and thirty days. (10) Properties may only be used for the purpose of short term rentals if the Town has issued a short term rental certificate. Properties used for the purpose of short term rentals shall be subject to an annual inspection to determine compliance with the housing code.
Taxes & Fees
Amherst charges annual per-unit fees, not a lodging tax, to run a short-term rental. Amherst Code § 44-20.B sets the fee at $250 a year for an owner-occupied unit and $500 a year for a non-owner-occupied unit, on top of the inspection and renewal fees every registered rental dwelling pays under the same section.
Amherst Short-Term Rental Certificate Fees
Some RestrictionsAmherst Code § 44-20
Short term rental dwelling unit certificate fees. All owners engaged in short term rentals where the property is owner occupied, shall pay an annual fee of Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) per unit. The owner of a property engaged in short term rentals where the property is not owner occupied shall pay an annual fee of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) per unit.
Looking for Erie County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Amherst city rules.
Short-Term Rentals in Erie County →