Mount Vernon Short Term Rental Regulation: A Guide For Airbnb Hosts

What are short term rental (Airbnb, VRBO) regulations in Mount Vernon, New York?

In Mount Vernon, New York, the regulations surrounding short-term rentals, such as those listed on platforms like Airbnb and VRBO, are governed by specific guidelines outlined in the city's zoning code. These regulations dictate that any alterations to lot lines or subdivision of properties must undergo review and approval by the Planning Board before a building permit can be obtained. This requirement indicates that operating a short-term rental business in a residential property may involve additional steps beyond acquiring a standard rental license.

Moreover, the zoning code in Mount Vernon includes provisions concerning the maximum number of unrelated occupants permitted per dwelling unit and mandates regarding off-street parking. These rules play a crucial role in influencing the viability of running a short-term rental operation, as hosts must ensure their properties adhere to these regulations.

While the city's zoning code does not explicitly address licensing requirements for short-term rental properties, all rental properties in Mount Vernon, including those used for short-term rentals, are mandated to have a general rental license. Acquiring this license typically entails meeting specific health and safety standards, such as passing inspections.

In terms of documentation, the zoning code does not specify any unique requirements for short-term rental properties beyond the standard rental license. Hosts are expected to ensure their properties comply with all relevant building, fire, and safety codes to obtain the necessary rental license.

Regarding taxes, the state of New York imposes a 4% sales tax on short-term rental stays, which hosts are responsible for collecting and remitting. While Mount Vernon may impose additional local taxes or fees on short-term rental activity, details on these were not readily available in the sources reviewed.

The overall regulatory landscape in Mount Vernon appears to be neutral to slightly unfavorable for short-term rental businesses. The city does not seem to actively promote or support the short-term rental industry, but it also does not appear to rigorously enforce against it. Hosts must navigate the general rental rules diligently to ensure compliance.

For those looking to start a short-term rental business in Mount Vernon, it is essential to ensure the property meets all relevant building codes, obtain the required rental license from the Department of Buildings, register with the state for sales tax collection, and stay informed about any potential changes in regulations.

Inquiries about short-term rental regulations and zoning in Mount Vernon can be directed to the Mount Vernon Department of Buildings and the Planning Board. While online forums like Reddit and Bigger Pockets offer limited insights into the local regulations, the lack of extensive discussion suggests that Mount Vernon may not be a prominent market for short-term rentals compared to other nearby areas.

Starting a Short Term Rental Business in Mount Vernon

The City of Mount Vernon, New York has specific regulations regarding short-term rentals (STRs) like Airbnb and VRBO. According to the city's zoning code, any change of lot lines or subdivision of a lot must be reviewed and approved by the Planning Board prior to obtaining a building permit. This suggests that operating an STR business in a residential property may require additional approvals beyond just a standard rental license.

The zoning code also outlines restrictions on the number of unrelated occupants allowed per dwelling unit, as well as requirements around providing off-street parking. These types of rules could impact the feasibility of running an STR operation, as hosts would need to ensure their property complies.

One potential challenge for STR hosts in Mount Vernon is the requirement to obtain approval from the Planning Board for any lot line changes or subdivisions. This extra layer of bureaucracy could make it more difficult and time-consuming to set up an STR business, compared to cities without this rule. Hosts would need to factor in the time and cost of going through the Planning Board approval process.

Short Term Rental Licensing Requirement in Mount Vernon

The Mount Vernon zoning code does not appear to have any specific provisions for licensing short-term rental properties. However, the city does require a general rental license for all rental properties, including those rented on a short-term basis. Obtaining this license likely involves meeting certain health and safety requirements, such as passing inspections.

While the rental license is not STR-specific, it is an important requirement that all hosts would need to fulfill in order to legally operate their short-term rental business in Mount Vernon. Failure to obtain the proper license could result in fines or other penalties from the city.

One potential issue is that the rental license requirements are not clearly spelled out in the zoning code or other publicly available documents. Hosts would need to contact the Mount Vernon Department of Buildings directly to get the full details on what is needed to obtain the rental license for their STR property.

Required Documents for Mount Vernon Short Term Rentals

The city's zoning code does not outline any unique documentation requirements for short-term rental properties beyond the standard rental license. Hosts would need to ensure their property meets all applicable building, fire, and safety codes in order to obtain the required rental license.

This likely means providing documentation like floor plans, fire safety equipment details, and proof of property ownership or management. The specific checklist of required documents may vary, so hosts should check with the Mount Vernon Department of Buildings for the full list.

One potential complication is that the city's rental property requirements webpage does not mention anything about short-term rentals specifically. Hosts would need to assume the same documentation is required as for any other rental property, but there is no clear guidance on any STR-specific paperwork.

Mount Vernon Short Term Rental Taxes

The state of New York imposes a 4% sales tax on short-term rental stays, which hosts are responsible for collecting and remitting to the state. Mount Vernon may also levy additional local taxes or fees on STR activity, but details on this were not found in the available sources.

Hosts would need to register with the state to collect and pay the 4% sales tax. They should also check if the City of Mount Vernon has any additional tax or fee requirements for short-term rentals.

One potential issue is that the state's guidance on short-term rental taxes does not mention anything about local taxes in Mount Vernon specifically. Hosts would need to proactively reach out to the city to determine if any additional tax obligations exist.

Mount Vernon wide Short Term Rental Rules

The Mount Vernon zoning code contains some general rules that could impact short-term rentals, such as limits on the number of unrelated occupants per dwelling unit and requirements around off-street parking. However, the code does not appear to have any STR-specific regulations.

This suggests Mount Vernon has not implemented comprehensive rules targeting the short-term rental industry, unlike some other cities that have enacted STR-specific ordinances. The general residential zoning rules would still apply, but hosts may have more flexibility compared to locations with stricter STR regulations.

One potential benefit is that the lack of STR-specific rules means hosts are not subject to additional restrictions beyond what is required for any other rental property. However, it also means there is less clarity around the city's expectations and requirements for short-term rentals.

Does Mount Vernon Strictly Enforce STR rules? Is Mount Vernon Airbnb Friendly?

Based on the available information, it seems Mount Vernon does not have a particularly Airbnb-friendly regulatory environment, but also may not be actively enforcing against short-term rentals. The lack of STR-specific rules and licensing suggests the city may be taking a more hands-off approach.

However, the general rental property requirements could still pose challenges for hosts, as they would need to ensure full compliance with all applicable building, fire, and safety codes. Online forums did not contain much discussion of STR operations in Mount Vernon, indicating it may not be a major hub for this activity compared to other nearby areas.

One potential issue is that the lack of clear guidance and enforcement around short-term rentals creates uncertainty for hosts. They may be hesitant to invest in setting up an STR business without knowing if the city will crack down on it in the future.

Overall, the regulatory landscape appears neutral to slightly unfavorable for short-term rental businesses in the city. Mount Vernon does not seem to be actively promoting or supporting the STR industry, but also may not be aggressively cracking down on it either. Hosts would need to carefully navigate the general rental rules to operate legally.

How to Start a Short Term Rental Business in Mount Vernon

• Ensure your property meets all applicable building, fire, and safety codes for a rental property.
• Obtain the required rental license from the City of Mount Vernon Department of Buildings.
• Register your STR with the state of New York and begin collecting the 4% sales tax.
• Review the city's zoning code to understand any additional requirements around lot sizes, parking, or number of occupants.
• Consider reaching out to the Mount Vernon Planning Board if any lot line changes or subdivisions are needed for your STR property.
• Stay up-to-date on any future changes to short-term rental regulations in Mount Vernon, as the city's approach could evolve over time.

One potential challenge in getting started is the lack of clear guidance from the city on the STR licensing and approval process. Hosts would need to proactively reach out to the Department of Buildings and Planning Board to get the necessary information.

Who to contact in Mount Vernon about Short Term Rental Regulations and Zoning?

For questions about short-term rental regulations and zoning in Mount Vernon, NY, the best contacts would be:

• Mount Vernon Department of Buildings: (914) 665-2483
• Mount Vernon Planning Board: (914) 665-2483

These departments would be able to provide the most current information on rental licensing requirements, zoning rules, and any other STR-related regulations in the city. However, the lack of clear guidance on the city's website suggests hosts may need to be persistent in getting their questions answered.

What do Airbnb hosts in Mount Vernon on Reddit and Bigger Pockets think about local regulations?

There was limited discussion of operating Airbnbs in Mount Vernon, NY on forums like Reddit and Bigger Pockets. A few posts mentioned the city's general rental property requirements, but did not provide detailed insights into the STR regulatory environment or host experiences.

One Bigger Pockets user noted that Mount Vernon "doesn't seem to have any specific short-term rental regulations", suggesting the city may take a more hands-off approach. Another commenter on Reddit stated that they were able to operate an Airbnb in Mount Vernon without any major issues.

However, the lack of active discussion on these forums indicates that Mount Vernon may not be a major market for short-term rentals compared to other nearby areas. Hosts do not appear to be widely reporting significant challenges or enforcement actions related to STRs in the city.

One potential reason for the lack of discussion could be that Mount Vernon is not seen as a particularly attractive or lucrative market for short-term rentals. The city may not have the same tourist appeal or demand for STRs as other nearby areas.

Overall, the limited online commentary suggests the regulatory environment in Mount Vernon is not overly restrictive, but also not particularly Airbnb-friendly or conducive to a thriving short-term rental industry. Hosts would need to carefully navigate the general rental property rules, but may not face the same level of scrutiny as in some other cities with more comprehensive STR regulations.

Disclaimer: While we here at BNBCalc strive to keep all of our city regulation guides updated and accurate with all the latest local laws, we still do not suggest using them as your sole or primary source for local regulations. We also do not recommend you rely on the third-party sources we link to or reference, and we are not responsible for any of the information on these third-party sites. These guides are for entertainment purposes only and only provide basic information and should not be considered as legal advice.

We highly recommend directly contacting the responsible parties for each city and hearing what their officials have to say. Ultimately, it's your responsibility as an investor to ensure you fully comply with the local laws, and it's best to speak with professionals before making an investment decision.