Queens County, NY Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)

Queens STR occupancy is governed by two stacking rules. Local Law 18 of 2022 limits each registered short-term rental to a maximum of two paying guests at any time, and requires that the registered host be physically present in the same dwelling unit for the entirety of the stay. Guests must also be allowed free access to all rooms, meaning the host cannot lock off private areas. Separately, the New York State Multiple Dwelling Law (MDL) prohibits renting Class A apartments for fewer than 30 days to anyone who is not a permanent occupant unless a permanent occupant is present. Most Queens apartment buildings of three or more units are Class A dwellings, so even hosted stays can be challenged if the host is not a permanent occupant of the unit. Single-family and two-family homes are typically Class B or outside MDL transient restrictions, so they are the most common legal STR configuration in Queens. In addition, the general NYC Housing Maintenance Code limits total occupancy based on habitable square footage, with a minimum of 80 square feet per occupant in a bedroom, which further constrains group size. Violations carry penalties up to 1,000 dollars per day for first offenses and up to 7,500 dollars for repeat listings.