Cheektowaga, NY Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)

Under § 201-3, a Cheektowaga property owner cannot operate a short-term rental, defined as an occupancy of under 30 consecutive days, without first registering with Erie County for occupancy tax and securing a Town short-term rental permit/license from the Code Enforcement Officer. The permit runs three years; renewal applications are due at least 45 days before the current permit expires, and a sale of the property voids the permit rather than passing it on, so the buyer must file a fresh application under § 201-3C.

Owners operating before the law's effective date could keep honoring existing bookings for 180 days but had to apply for a permit within 60 days of adoption under § 201-3D. Applications under § 201-8 require proof of ownership, a property survey, evidence of insurance, proof of compliance with Erie County's short-term rental registration, and a life-safety plan showing exits, extinguisher locations and emergency contacts; they must be filed at least 120 days before renting begins. The Code Enforcement Officer inspects the premises before issuing or renewing a permit and can deny one for false statements, unpaid fees, or a suspension within the past year (§ 201-10).

A denial can be appealed to the Town's Appeals Panel under § 201-10B. The permit registry is a public record under the Freedom of Information Law, though Town Board members, police, and code officers can consult it without filing a FOIL request (§ 201-9C).