Town of East Hampton
Rental registry law, passed in 2015
Owners are required to pay a $100 fee, fill out a two-page application that spells out the length of the tenants’ stay, and verify the property’s certificate of occupancy. They then receive a registry number that must be included in all ads. If the owners intend to remain at home during the visit, they don’t need to register.
Those owners who are supposed to register and do not can face a fine of up to $1,500 and as much as 15 days in prison. Violations of other parts of the law — such as having too many guests in a house — can produce fines of up to $30,000 and as much as six months in prison.
The new registry law is in addition to one that is already on the books. In the 1980s, the town passed a law restricting residents from renting out homes for stays of 14 days or less more than twice in a six-month period.
While the restrictions cover enclaves like Amagansett or Montauk, they do not apply in the incorporated villages of East Hampton and Sag Harbor.
Town of Southampton
Rental registry, passed in 2007
Owners must pay a $200 fee, fill out an application form, verify the property’s certificate of occupancy and allow a home inspection by a code-enforcement officer. They then receive a two-year rental permit. The maximum punishment for failing to secure a rental permit is a fine of up to $8,000 and prison time of up to 15 days.
As in East Hampton, the law does not apply to incorporated villages like Westhampton Beach, Westhampton Dunes and Southampton, among others.
Town of Riverhead
30-day stay law, passed in 2013
Rentals for less than 30 days are not allowed. Owners must file a detailed rental agreement, pay a fee of at least $300 and submit to a building inspection.
Town of Southold
Two-week stay law, passed in 2015
Limits renters in private homes to stays of at least 14 days. Does not apply to the incorporated village of Greenport.