Riverhead, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 263 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 263-6
Fees
Operative Text
A. A nonrefundable rental permit application fee shall be paid, upon filing an application or renewal application, in accordance with the fee schedule established by resolution of the Town Board of the Town of Riverhead. B. The fee required by this section shall be waived for any applicant who demonstrates that the dwelling unit is occupied by the immediate family of the owner of the dwelling unit as defined in this chapter. C. Any commercial hotel/motel business 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 operation, shall be exempt from the fee required by this section. For the purposes of this chapter, a "short duration" shall be defined as not more than 21 consecutive days. The exemption in this Subsection C shall not apply to any commercial hotel/motel whose primary purpose is to provide permanent residences to its customers, and they shall pay a biennial fee based upon the number of rental units, as established by resolution of the Town Board of the Town of Riverhead. For the purposes of this chapter, "permanent residence" shall be defined as more than 21 consecutive days.
Section 263-6 of Riverhead's Code of Ordinances establishes a nonrefundable fee structure for rental permit applications and renewals, with the specific amounts set by Town Board resolution. Two categories of applicants may avoid the fee: owners whose dwelling units are occupied by their immediate family, and commercial hotel/motel businesses that serve exclusively transient guests staying 21 consecutive days or fewer. Hotels and motels that primarily function as permanent residences—meaning guests stay longer than 21 consecutive days—do not qualify for the transient exemption and must instead pay a biennial fee based on the number of rental units, as set by Town Board resolution.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 263-6, landlords in Riverhead are generally expected to pay a nonrefundable application or renewal fee when filing for a rental permit, with the amount determined by the Town Board's current fee schedule. Operators who rent only to immediate family members living in the unit can document that relationship to seek a fee waiver. Hotel and motel operators should assess whether their business model is primarily transient—guests staying no more than 21 consecutive days—or primarily residential, since that distinction determines whether they are fully exempt from the fee or instead subject to a biennial per-unit fee under § 263-6.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 263-6 is primarily directed at property owners and operators rather than tenants, but it is relevant to renters because it governs whether a landlord has obtained the required rental permit for the unit. Tenants living in a unit owned by a family member of the landlord may find that the owner has sought a fee waiver under § 263-6(B), which can be worth understanding when questions arise about the unit's permit status. Tenants who have concerns about whether their landlord has complied with Riverhead's rental permit requirements can contact the Town of Riverhead directly or reach out to a local tenant-rights organization for general guidance.
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.
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