Schroon Lake May Freeze New STR Permits for a Full Year

If you've been planning to launch a short-term rental in Schroon Lake, the window may be closing fast. The Town of Schroon is actively considering a one-year moratorium on new short-term rental permits, a move that would freeze the permitting process while town officials rethink the rules from the ground up. No new permits. No exceptions. For up to a full year.

What Is Actually Being Proposed

The moratorium would halt the issuance of new STR permits while the town reviews and revises its local zoning law. It would not revoke permits that are already in hand. As Town Supervisor Meg Wood explained at the October 15 public forum, the pause is tied directly to a broader zoning overhaul: "One of the reasons this is happening now is that we are reviewing and hopefully revising and updating our local zoning law. This is part of that. We're doing the short-term rental study in conjunction with zoning in the entire town."

The underlying permit requirement itself has been on the books since 2021, when the town enacted a law requiring permits for short-term rental properties as part of its comprehensive plan. The town has since adopted a new comprehensive plan, which is part of what is driving the current review.

Critically, the Town Board retains the option to end the moratorium early if the zoning review wraps up ahead of schedule. So the freeze could last anywhere from a few months to the full year.

The Community Is Split

The October 15 forum made clear that Schroon Lake residents are not of one mind on this. Opponents of the moratorium argued it would cut off income that many local families depend on. Realtor Brooke Clark put it plainly: "We have families who dream of retiring here some day. They aren't necessarily outside investors taking advantage of our town. They're people who love Schroon Lake, invest in our community, support our businesses and hope to remain part of its future."

Supporters of the pause pointed to affordable housing pressures and an uneven playing field between STR operators and traditional lodging businesses. Sue Palisano, executive director of the Schroon Lake Chamber of Commerce, framed it as a question of balance: "Short-term rentals are now a part of the landscape in terms of tourism. What this is about is balance. A moratorium gives the town a chance to look at what the current landscape is with short-term rentals."

Palisano also raised a compliance concern that should get every unlicensed host's attention: "There are more short-term rentals in Schroon Lake that are not permitted than are permitted. That's why we need to take a step back."

What This Means If You're a Host Right Now

The moratorium has not passed yet, but the direction of travel is clear. Here is what matters depending on your situation.

• You already have a permit: You are protected. The moratorium explicitly does not revoke existing permits.
• You are operating without a permit: This is the most exposed position. A permit is already required under the 2021 law, and the town is now paying close attention to who is and is not compliant. Palisano's comment about unpermitted rentals outnumbering permitted ones signals that enforcement scrutiny is likely to increase, not decrease, during a review period.
• You are planning to start a new STR: If the moratorium passes, you will not be able to get a permit until the town completes its zoning review, which could take the full year.

Beyond the permit question, hosts should also know that a license is required to operate, and the town's rules carry real financial teeth. The market data shows a maximum fine of $500 for violations, and insurance coverage of at least $300,000 is required. A fire extinguisher is also a mandatory safety requirement. Tax filings are due quarterly and can be submitted electronically through the New York Business Express portal.

What to Do Now

If you do not yet have a permit, the time to apply is before any moratorium takes effect, not after. The Town Board is still deliberating, which means the door is open, but it may not stay that way. Roger Friedman, who chaired the group that developed the town's comprehensive plan, suggested the review might not need the full year, that six months could be enough. But that is cold comfort if you are caught without a permit when the freeze begins.

Watch the Town Board's next moves closely. In the meantime, get your permit application in order, confirm your insurance meets the $300,000 minimum, and make sure your quarterly tax filings are current.

For the complete Schroon Lake compliance guide including tax calculator, checklist, and daily monitoring, see Schroon Lake, NY STR Regulations.