Riverhead, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 263 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 263-4
Rental occupancy permit required
Operative Text
A. It shall be unlawful and a violation of this chapter for person or entity who owns, or is a managing agent of, as defined in this chapter, a dwelling unit in the Town, to use, establish, maintain, operate, let, lease, rent, or suffer or permit the occupancy and use thereof as a rental occupancy by someone other than the owner without first having obtained a valid rental occupancy permit therefor. Failure or refusal to procure a rental occupancy permit hereunder shall be deemed a violation. B. A rental occupancy permit issued under this chapter shall only be issued to the owner(s) of the real property at issue. C. In the event that the ownership of a rental dwelling is transferred, the new owner shall register the property within 30 days of the closing of title pursuant to the requirements set forth in this chapter. A rental occupancy permit issued under this chapter is not transferable. If the rental dwelling is not registered as required by this chapter, there will be a presumption that said property is being utilized as rental property by the new owner(s) in violation of this chapter. D. Transient rentals. (1) A transient rental is prohibited. (2) The prohibition on transient rental shall not apply to the following: any legally operating commercial hotel/motel business or bed-and-breakfast establishment operating exclusively and catering to transient clientele, that is, customers who customarily reside at these establishments for short durations for the purpose of vacationing, travel, business, recreational activities, conventions, emergencies and other activities that are customary to a commercial hotel/motel business. E. Violations of this section may be established directly or through the presumptions and evidentiary criteria set forth in §§ 263-20 and 263-21 of this chapter.
Section 263-4 of Riverhead's Code of Ordinances (Chapter 263) requires that any dwelling unit rented to someone other than the owner must be covered by a valid rental occupancy permit before occupancy begins. The permit is tied to the owner of the property and cannot be transferred when ownership changes; a new owner has 30 days after closing to register the property. Short-term or transient rentals are prohibited under this section, with a narrow exception for established commercial hotels, motels, and bed-and-breakfast operations that customarily serve short-stay guests.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 263-4 of Riverhead's Chapter 263, compliant rental property owners obtain a valid rental occupancy permit before allowing any non-owner tenant to occupy a dwelling unit. When a rental property changes hands, the incoming owner registers the property within 30 days of closing, since the prior owner's permit does not carry over and failure to register creates a presumption of an unpermitted rental. Owners also ensure that no dwelling unit is offered for transient or short-term rental use, as that practice is prohibited unless the property qualifies as a licensed commercial hotel, motel, or bed-and-breakfast under the chapter's narrow exception.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 263-4 of Riverhead's Code of Ordinances (Chapter 263) establishes that a landlord must hold a valid rental occupancy permit before renting a dwelling unit to anyone other than the owner. Tenants who believe a property is being rented without the required permit, or that a new owner failed to register within 30 days of closing as required by this section, may raise that violation with the Town of Riverhead or reference §§ 263-20 and 263-21, which set out how violations can be established. Tenant-rights organizations and housing attorneys familiar with Riverhead's local code can help clarify what remedies or defenses may be available in connection with a permit violation.
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 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation