Short-Term Rentals
Operating a short-term rental (STR) in the Town of Austerlitz requires a permit under Town of Austerlitz Zoning Code §195-23. This page reproduces the current application form and contact information for the Building Department, which administers the permit.
The current Short-Term Rental Application — adopted by the Town Board on August 21, 2025 — is the authoritative source for what is required to obtain a permit. The summary below is drawn directly from that form; consult the application itself for the official text.
How to apply
Read the application form
The form's instructions list every supporting item required and the rules that govern a permit. Apply for one property at a time — the Building Department requires a separate application for each property.
Assemble your supporting documents
You'll need to attach (or have on file with the Town) seven items: floor plan, at least one photograph, last-paid property-tax receipt, current certificate of insurance, septic certification, and — for entity-owned properties — written proof of the signer's authority and identification of all members or beneficiaries.
Submit with payment to the Building Department
The application fee is set by Town Board resolution. Pay by check or money order to the Town of Austerlitz — all fees are non-refundable. Submit the completed form and fee to Richard Blass, Code Enforcement Officer, at 826 Route 203, P.O. Box 238, Spencertown, NY 12165. Office hours are Tuesday 11 AM–1 PM and Wednesday 11 AM–2 PM.
What you'll need to submit
Drawn from the application form's checklist. The form must be completed in full, typed or printed in ink, and the Building Department will not consider an application unless every item below has been provided (or is on file with the Town).
- The completed application form.
- The application fee (check or money order, payable to the Town of Austerlitz; non-refundable).
- A floor plan of the interior of the building to be rented (unless already on file).
- At least one photograph of the primary dwelling and/or accessory dwelling unit (ADU) to be rented.
- Most recent Town property-tax receipt (or other proof of payment of the last tax bill).
- Current certificate of insurance for the property.
- Septic system certification or approval (unless already on file).
- Signatures of all individual owners — or, for entity-owned properties (corporation, LLC, trust, etc.), written proof of the signer's authority and identification of all members or beneficiaries.
Read the application
The PDF below is the authoritative version. You can also open it in Google Drive or read it as a web page on this site. The PDF is the only version accepted for submission.
Columbia County occupancy tax
Separate from the Town permit, Columbia County collects a 4% occupancy tax on short-term rentals (stays under 30 consecutive days), effective July 1, 2025. The County — not the Town — administers this. The questions below are drawn from the County's "FAQs for hosts" published on the Town's Short-Term Rentals page.
Who needs to register, and how?
All individuals and business entities that rent their building, or rooms in it, on a short-term basis (under 30 consecutive days in Columbia County) must register and pay the occupancy tax. A separate registration is required for each rental address. Register online at columbiacountyny.com/occupancy.html.
Do I still register with the County if I have a Town permit?
Yes. A Town or village permit sets the conditions under which you may operate; it does not satisfy the County's tax-registration requirement. The County prefers you register with the County first, since your local permit will require the County registration number to be complete.
How much is the tax, and how often do I register?
The occupancy tax is 4%, effective July 1, 2025. Registration renews with the County every two years; notify the County of any interim changes to contact, ownership, or rental properties. Note: New York State began collecting sales tax on STRs as of March 1, 2025 — NYS sales tax is collected and remitted separately to the State.
When and how do I pay?
Tax is collected at the time of payment and paid quarterly through your County registration login. Payment due dates: 3rd quarter (Jun–Aug) by September 20, 4th quarter (Sep–Nov) by December 20, 1st quarter (Dec–Feb) by March 20, and 2nd quarter (Mar–May) by June 20. Airbnb and similar platforms cannot remit this tax at present. For help, contact the Treasurer's Office at 518-828-0513 or strcompliance@columbiacountyny.com.
Permit — frequently asked questions
What is a short-term rental?
The application form refers to short-term rentals at the property as "STR" use, governed by Town of Austerlitz Zoning Code §195-23. The Town Code itself is the controlling source for the definition; see austerlitzny.gov/town-code.
Do I need a separate application for each property?
Yes. The application's instructions state: "If you are applying for more than one property, please submit a separate application form for each property."
Can I rent an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) as an STR?
The application has a dedicated section for ADU short-term rentals, with the same supporting-document requirements as the primary dwelling (bedrooms, certificate-of-occupancy year, septic, insurance, tax-payment proof, photograph, floor plan). Confirm any specific zoning standards with the Building Department.
What if the property is owned by a business entity rather than an individual?
For corporation, LLC, trust, or other legal-entity ownership, the application requires written proof of the signer's authority to bind the entity, and all members or beneficiaries of the entity must be identified. The form's Part II Section B is the entity signature block.
How is the application fee set?
The fee is set by Town Board resolution (its current fee schedule). Pay by check or money order to the Town of Austerlitz — all fees are non-refundable. Call the Building Department at (518) 392-3260 ext. 303 for the current amount.
Who do I contact with questions?
Richard Blass, Code Enforcement Officer, administers the permit. Building Department: 826 Route 203, P.O. Box 238, Spencertown, NY 12165. Phone (518) 392-3260 ext. 303, email rblass@austerlitzny.com. Office hours: Tuesday 11 AM–1 PM and Wednesday 11 AM–2 PM.