Short Term Rentals

The City of Geneva adopted Short-Term Rental (STR) regulations in 2024. The ordinance can be read in its entirety HERE.


What is a Short-Term Rental?

Per City of Geneva Municipal Code Chapter 215-25, a short-term rental is defined as a dwelling unit with no more than four bedrooms that is rented, in whole or in part, to any person or entity for a period of less than 30 consecutive nights and meets all of the regulations, requirements and standards contained in this article and § 350-7.18, as amended. Short-term rentals do not include hotels, boarding houses, or bed-and-breakfast inns.

The owner of a STR must also possess a current and valid STR license for each dwelling unit within a property address used for a STR, issued by the City of Geneva Code Enforcement Office, prior to operation.


How Do I Obtain a Short-Term Rental License?

The application process to obtain a Short-Term Rental License is completed entirely online. To begin the application process, please visit:  https://portal.deckard.com/ny-ontario-city_of_geneva-str-portal/

*Each dwelling unit within a property address used or advertised as a STR shall require a separate application for a STR license and payment of the associated license fee. 


What Documents Do I Need to Complete the Short-Term Rental Application?

In addition to standard property owner and dwelling unit information, you will need the following documents:

  • A site plan of the property address showing the location of buildings and parking spaces
  • A statement that the property is served by a public sewer found HERE
  • A signed and notarized statement found HERE

These documents will be uploaded into the license registration portal during the application process.


What are the Provisions of my Short-Term Rental License?

A STR license for a new dwelling unit can be applied for at any time. Each STR license will be valid for two years from the issue date and must be renewed upon expiration as long as the dwelling unit is being used as a STR. To renew an existing STR License, please visit: https://portal.deckard.com/ny-ontario-city_of_geneva-str-portal/

A STR license is transferable to a new owner, so long as the STR license is updated to reflect the change in ownership. The new owner shall comply with the requirements of the STR license and the regulations listed in City of Geneva Municipal Code Chapter 215. To update a change in ownership of a property with an existing STR license, please visit: https://portal.deckard.com/ny-ontario-city_of_geneva-str-portal/


What is the Cost of a Short-Term Rental License?

Per the 2025 Adopted Budget Fee Schedule, the cost of the license is $250.00 per bedroom per year, in addition to any processing fees. The exact cost will be calculated during the online application process. The maximum number of bedrooms that can be rented per unit is 4. Please note that all fees must be paid in full before the application will move forward in the licensing process.


After Applying For Your Short-Term Rental Permit...

Upon the filing of a complete short-term rental license application, including the applicable fee, the City Code Enforcement Office will review the application and contact the property owner on record to schedule the required property inspection. The purpose of this inspection is to verify compliance with applicable New York State laws, codes and regulations; to verify the number of sleeping rooms within the short-term rental, and to verify the number of parking spaces meet the standards set forth in the City Code zoning requirements for a dwelling unit. The property owner, property manager, or authorized representative must be present to accompany the Code Enforcement Officer during this inspection.

Once the STR property undergoes and passes the inspection, the STR License will be emailed to the property owner and should be prominently displayed inside the STR unit. 

Please be aware that this review and inspection process does take time. We thank you for your patience!

*Please note, your property is not in compliance until the STR application is completed in its entirety, all fees are paid, an inspection is completed by a City of Geneva Code Enforcement Officer, and you receive a STR License document*


Short Term Rental Complaints

To report a potential code violation, please email complaints@geneva.ny.us. Noise complaints should be reported to the City of Geneva Police Department.