Saranac Lake adopts local STR law

SARANAC LAKE | After years of deliberation, public hearings and meetings, the Village of Saranac Lake Board of Trustees adopted a Local Law to regulate short-term rentals. The next step is to file it with the New York Secretary of State. As described in the law, the purpose is to "mitigate the impact of STRs on the village, ensure the safety of STRs and ensure that certain concerns and opportunities are addressed." One of the concerns it addresses is "balance the needs and rights of all residents." One way they are addressing this is by allowing preexisting STR owners 60 days from when the law goes into effect to apply for a special use permit. They will be allowed to continue to operate their STR until it is approved by the development board, as long as they are actively pursuing the permit. In order to qualify as a preexisting STR within 60 days, the owner will need to submit a special use permit application, an STR permit application, a Franklin of Essex County certificate of authority to collect occupancy tax and proof of operation as an STR between Jan. 31, 2022, and Jan. 31, 2023. The development board will have the authority to impose conditions to the approval of any STR application. According to the law, "Any conditions shall be limited to reasonable measures required in order to minimize impacts on the neighborhoods where Preexisting STRs are located." Another concern the law addresses is "protect residents from external forces affecting housing access and affordability." This is addressed by imposing an STR permit cap. This means there is a maximum number of STR permits that can be issued in a given period of time. Between the day the law goes into effect and Jan. 31, 2024, no more than 10 permits will be issued village-wide. Special circumstances like new construction and rehabilitation of dilapidated buildings may be exempt by the board of trustees after a public hearing. The next issue is "providing stability and high quality of life for Village residents." There is a long list of permit regulations that address this concern addressing noise, garbage camping, parking and more. This section also says that STR permits are only valid for a year, however, it can be renewed when it expires. The law wants to make sure "village residents with the opportunity to benefit from tourism" because it "provides great benefits to the community when operated appropriately by Village residents." There is a list of house rules every STR must comply with, such as quiet hours between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., extensive contact information of property owners and only allowing parking in approved spaces. If neighbors believe these rules are not being followed, they can report excessive noise to the Village of Saranac Lake Police Department and all other complaints to the code enforcement officer. This short-term rental law will go into effect immediately when it is filed with the New York Secretary of State.

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Saranac Lake adopts local STR law

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