Permit Requirements: Gates vs Rochester
How do permit requirements rules compare between Gates, NY and Rochester, NY?
Gates has fewer restrictions than Rochester.
Gates, NY
Monroe County
Monroe County voted in December 2025 to opt out of New York State's new short-term rental registry. No county-level STR permit is required, but hosts must register with the Monroe County Treasurer for hotel room excise tax purposes.
View full Gates rules →Rochester, NY
Monroe County
Rochester requires a Short-Term Rental Permit for all STR operations. The initial permit fee is $490 with $100 annual renewals. Only owner-occupied units may operate as STRs, and rentals are limited to 90 days per year. Annual inspections are required.
View full Rochester rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Gates | Rochester |
|---|---|---|
| County registry | Opted out — no county STR registry | - |
| Tax registration | Required — Monroe County Treasurer (free) | - |
| County hotel room excise tax | 6% (plus 8% sales tax: 4% state + 4% county) | - |
| State STR tax | 4% state sales tax collected by platforms as of 3/25/2025 | - |
| Local rules | Check each town — Rochester has its own requirements | - |
| Initial Fee | - | $490 |
| Renewal Fee | - | $100 annually |
| Owner-Occupied | - | Required — no investor properties |
| Annual Limit | - | 90 days per year |
| Inspections | - | Annual inspection required |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Gates FAQ
Do I need a permit to list my property on Airbnb in Monroe County?
Monroe County voted in December 2025 to opt out of New York State's new short-term rental registry. No county-level STR permit is required, but hosts must register with the Monroe County Treasurer for hotel room excise tax purposes.
What are the short-term rental registration requirements in Monroe County?
County registry: Opted out — no county STR registry. Tax registration: Required — Monroe County Treasurer (free). County hotel room excise tax: 6% (plus 8% sales tax: 4% state + 4% county). State STR tax: 4% state sales tax collected by platforms as of 3/25/2025.
Rochester FAQ
Can I rent my Rochester property on Airbnb?
Only if it is your owner-occupied primary residence. You need a $490 STR permit (initial) and are limited to 90 rental days per year. Investor properties are prohibited.
How much does an STR permit cost in Rochester?
The initial permit fee is $490, with $100 annual renewals. An annual inspection is also required for permit maintenance.
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