Do I need a license to operate a short-term rental in Suffolk County, NY?

Yes, Suffolk County requires an STR license or permit to operate a short-term rental.

Suffolk County, NY STR Regulations 2026 | HostReady

Suffolk County, NY

Short-Term Rental Regulations

Low Risk Market

Risk Score

Suffolk County requires a Certificate of Authority to operate a short-term rental. Suffolk County has no verified city-level short-term-rental ordinance. Suffolk County rules are what apply at this address. What applies: NY state lodging tax 4%; a state-level registration IS required. NY signed STR legislation Dec 2024 authorizing county-level registries. State sales tax 4% plus county rates. NYC has strict restrictions (Local Law 18).

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At a Glance

Monitored for changesVerified from 2 sources

STR License

Yes

Potential Fines

From $50

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We recorded 178 short-term rental rule changes across 72 US markets in the last 30 days.

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1 verified answer for Suffolk County, each backed by a citation

License required

Potential Fines

From $50

Potential fines

Tax Obligations

Filing Frequency

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Suffolk County, NY Regulations Guide

This guide covers everything you need to know about operating a short-term rental in Suffolk County, NY.

Licensing and Permits

Suffolk County requires hosts to obtain an STR license or permit before listing their property on platforms like Airbnb or VRBO.

Get the full Suffolk County compliance guide

Tax rates, platform collection details, occupancy limits, operational requirements, and more.

Compiled from 2 official government sources and continuously monitored for changes. Always verify current requirements with your local municipality before making investment or operational decisions.

Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. STR regulations change frequently. Always verify current requirements with your local municipality before making investment or operational decisions.

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Curious how Suffolk County compares nationally? See the strictest and most welcoming US cities for short-term rentals.

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Citation receipts

10 cited facts for Suffolk County

Every fact below is taken from the issuing authority's own text. Open a quote to read it verbatim, or follow the source to read it on their page.

Licensing

2 facts

License requiredYes
tax.ny.gov
checked 6 days ago
›Read the wording
“A booking service or operator required to register as a sales tax vendor that is not already registered may do so using New York Business Express.”
What the license is calledCertificate of Authority
suffolkcountyny.gov
checked 17 days ago
›Read the wording
“Such facilities must register with the County to obtain a Certificate of Authority which authorizes them to collect the tax.”

Taxes

4 facts

Airbnb collects the taxYes
legislation.nysenate.gov
checked 17 days ago
›Read the wording
“A booking service shall be required to (i) collect from the occupants the applicable taxes arising from such occupancies;”
You must file the tax yourselfYes
suffolkcountyny.gov
checked 17 days ago
›Read the wording
“Once registered, operators must collect the tax from their patrons and remit the monies to the County on a quarterly basis.”
How often tax is filedquarterly
tax.ny.gov

Limits on how you rent

1 fact

Annual night cap3 nights
tax.ny.gov
checked 10 days ago
›Read the wording
“There is an exemption to the registration requirement for an operator that rents out their own property for 3 or fewer days a year.”

What you have to provide

2 facts

Insurance minimum$300, 000
legislation.nysenate.gov
checked 17 days ago
›Read the wording
“is insured by an insurer licensed to write insurance in this state or procured by a duly licensed excess line broker pursuant to section two thousand one hundred eighteen of the insurance law for [at least the ] a minimum of three hundred thousand dollars value of the dwelling, plus coverage for third party claims of property damage or bodily injury”
Fire extinguisher requiredYes
legislation.nysenate.gov
checked 17 days ago
›Read the wording
“has a working fire-extinguisher;”

Enforcement

1 fact

Minimum fine$50
suffolkcountyny.gov
checked 17 days ago
›Read the wording
“Failure to register with the County to collect the tax carries a fine of $50 per day for every day of nonregistration.”