Cazenovia puts short-term rental law changes on hold after residents raise concerns about investor buyouts and private road safety

Cazenovia puts short-term rental law changes on hold after residents raise concerns about investor buyouts and private road safety

The Cazenovia Town Board has tabled a set of proposed amendments to its short-term rental ordinance after a public hearing surfaced new concerns about the law's reach. The hearing, held at the New Woodstock Volunteer Fire Department on Monday, August 10, drew comments from residents and local officials who argued the amendments did not go far enough. No changes have been adopted. The current STR law, in effect since October 2024, remains in force while the board considers the feedback.

Cazenovia's current STR rules require two separate permits

Under the existing Town of Cazenovia short-term rental law, property owners who list on Airbnb, Vrbo, or any other platform must first obtain a special use permit through the town's Zoning Board of Appeals, then apply separately for an STR permit through the code enforcement office. The law defines a short-term rental as a residential property rented for 31 consecutive days or less. Occupancy is capped at two guests per bedroom, with a maximum of 12 guests total. Hosts are also required to maintain quiet hours between 9:30 p.m. and 7:30 a.m., prohibit events, and keep a local contact on file who can respond to complaints.

ZBA alternate warns the law leaves little room to deny permits

Mike Palmer, an alternate member of the town's Zoning Board of Appeals and a New Woodstock resident, told the board that the ZBA currently has very limited grounds to deny a permit application if an applicant meets the existing requirements. His concern is structural: a law that functions primarily as a checklist offers neighbors little protection if the underlying activity still causes harm. Palmer suggested that restricting STR permits to primary residences, rather than any residential property, would meaningfully reduce the law's impact on surrounding neighborhoods. "You're really putting the neighborhood at risk," he told the board.

His concern is not unique to Cazenovia. Several municipalities across New York and other states have adopted owner-occupancy requirements for the same reason, including New York City, which limits most STR activity to primary residences under Local Law 18, enacted in 2023. The logic is straightforward: an owner who lives on-site has more incentive to manage guest behavior than an absentee investor.

Lakeside residents ask private roads be excluded from STR activity

Three residents of Marlyn Park Drive, a narrow one-lane private road off Route 92 that runs along a lake, submitted written comments asking the board to exempt private roads from the STR law's scope entirely. Their concern centers on a specific pattern: of roughly a dozen homes on the road, three are currently listed for sale with marketing language referencing "long-term investment" and "income potential." Neighbors interpret this as a sign the properties are being positioned for purchase as rentals rather than primary residences.

Beyond the investment concern, residents flagged a practical safety issue. Marlyn Park Drive is a single-lane road. An increase in unfamiliar drivers, particularly during peak summer weekends, raises real questions about pedestrian and cyclist safety. The announcement did not specify whether the board will consider a private road exemption as part of its review.

Board tables amendments, sets September 14 meeting as next step

Rather than voting on the proposed amendments as presented, the Town Board opted to table the discussion and review the comments submitted during the hearing. The current STR law stays in effect in the interim. The board's next scheduled meeting is September 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the Gothic Cottage, where the topic is expected to come back before members. The announcement did not specify a timeline for when revised amendments might be introduced or voted on.

Hosts operating in Cazenovia should monitor the September meeting closely. Any amendments that move forward could affect permitting requirements, eligibility criteria, or the scope of properties covered by the law.

Staying current on local regulatory changes is exactly the kind of work that can fall through the cracks for busy hosts and property managers. Lodge Compliance tracks short-term rental regulations, licensing, permitting, zoning, and tax requirements across thousands of jurisdictions, helping hosts stay informed as local rules evolve.

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