Albany County, NY Short-Term Rentals: Permit Requirements (2026)

Albany County has no unified countywide STR registration scheme; regulation is municipal. Town of Bethlehem requires STR operators to register with the Building Department and comply with local rental housing standards under Chapter 231. Town of Colonie requires STRs in residential zones to obtain a Special Use Permit and maintain rental registration. Town of Guilderland treats STRs as transient lodging and requires special use permit review. Town of New Scotland allows STRs as home occupations with registration. City of Albany currently regulates STRs under the Good Landlord Rental Residential Occupancy Program (Chapter 231), requiring a rental Certificate of Compliance, inspection every three years, and registration with the Division of Buildings and Regulatory Compliance; a dedicated STR ordinance has been proposed multiple times and continues to be debated. Since March 25, 2025, the NYS statewide STR framework (Chapter 739 of 2024) requires all platforms to collect 4% state sales tax, local sales tax, and local occupancy tax (6% in Albany County) automatically, and to report hosts quarterly to the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance. NYS may also create a county-wide registry option under the same law; Albany County has not opted in as of early 2025. Hosts should verify local town rules before listing.