KINGSTON – Mayor Steven Noble announced the City of Kingston has increased enforcement of the new short-term rental regulations adopted by the common council.
The resolution amended the definition of “hotel” in the city’s zoning code to include short-term rentals so that the definition aligns with the Ulster County definition of “hotel” which includes those short-term rentals.
The Ulster County Definition of “hotel” allows for the collection of the Ulster County Hotel & Motel Room Occupancy Tax. The City of Kingston is now enforcing the new short-term rental regulations. All short-term rental hosts must comply with this registration process.
“Short term rentals have grown in popularity, which has contributed to a decrease in available rental properties and in turn contributed to a sharp rise in housing rental prices,” said Noble. “With these new regulations, we are looking to strike a balance that will support our local tenants and still leave room for the right amount of short-term rental units in the appropriate areas. We expect these current regulations will serve as a placeholder until our forthcoming zoning code is updated.”
“The legislation enacted has been a direct response to residents’ concerns over housing affordability and the impact short-term rentals are having on their communities,” said Majority Leader Rita Worthington. “These regulations will, I believe, help to strike the delicate balance of allowing short-term rentals in ways that keep both renters and property owners alike in mind.”
