Ithaca (Town), N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 207 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 207-1
Applicability
Operative Text
This article applies to all residential rental dwelling units except: A. A residential dwelling unit that is rented by a tenant for a period of less than 30 consecutive days, unless the residential dwelling unit is also at times rented by a tenant for a period of at least 30 consecutive days. "Period" includes consecutive terms of rental to the same tenant(s). B. Accessory dwelling units, as that term is defined in Town of Ithaca Code Chapter 270 (Zoning), § 270-5 . Accessory dwelling units are subject to operating permit requirements in Town Code § 270-219.6B(2) . C. Units in multiple-family dwellings, as that term is defined in Town of Ithaca Code Chapter 270 (Zoning), § 270-5 . Multiple-family dwellings are subject to operating permit requirements in Town of Ithaca Code Chapter 125 (Building Construction and Fire Prevention), § 125-8 . D. Residential dwelling units that are owned by cooperative corporations and subject to proprietary leases under the Cooperative Corporations Law . E. For the purposes of this article, a dwelling unit shall not be considered a residential rental dwelling unit when a house sitter occupies an owner’s principal residence while the owner is away, the house sitter provides security, maintenance and/or pet care, and the house sitter pays no money or other financial consideration to the owner in exchange for the occupancy. For the purposes of this subsection, for a dwelling unit to qualify as an owner’s principal residence, at least one of the property owners must reside in the dwelling unit for a minimum of 185 days per year. No other owner(s) shall own a larger percentage, collectively or individually, than the owner-occupant(s).
Chapter 207, Section 207-1 of the Town of Ithaca Code establishes which residential rental dwelling units fall under the article's requirements. The rule covers most residential rentals but carves out several categories: short-term rentals of fewer than 30 consecutive days (unless the same unit is also rented long-term), accessory dwelling units, units in multi-family dwellings, cooperative corporation units subject to proprietary leases, and arrangements where a house sitter occupies an owner's principal residence without paying any financial consideration. Each exempted category is either governed by a separate regulatory framework or falls outside the scope of the article entirely.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 207-1, property owners and managers should first determine whether their rental units fall within the article's coverage before assuming its requirements apply. Units that qualify as accessory dwelling units or are part of multi-family dwellings are directed to separate permitting regimes under Town Code Chapters 270 and 125, respectively. Operators of units that are sometimes rented short-term and sometimes long-term to the same tenant should be aware that the 30-day threshold is evaluated across consecutive rental terms, which may bring those units within the article's scope.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 207-1 defines the boundaries of who is protected by this article, so tenants can use this provision to assess whether their dwelling unit qualifies for coverage. Tenants in accessory dwelling units or multi-family dwellings are directed to different sections of the Town Code — specifically the operating permit requirements under Chapters 270 and 125 — which may provide their own protections. Tenants who are uncertain whether their unit falls within or outside the article's scope may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or review the referenced definitions in Town of Ithaca Code Chapter 270, § 270-5.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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