Town of North Elba & Village of Lake Placid Place Moratoriums on Granting Short Term Rental Permits
As of Tuesday, March 8, 2022, the Town of North Elba will not be approving any more applications for Short Term Rental (STR) permits for at least the next six months. The North Elba Town Council voted on March 1, 2022 to enact the moratorium in an effort to curb the rise in number of STRs in the area. Short term rentals have significantly increased in popularity for tourists and visitors over the last few years through the use of websites like Airbnb and VRBO.
Though the moratorium prevents owners of property from submitting applications for new STR permits, it does not affect those already possessing current STR permits. Those with a valid permit may continue operating their STRs and may also apply to renew existing permits so long as they do so in a timely manner.
Further, the law allows for a variance procedure in which people seeking an STR permit may appeal to the town clerk for an exception to the moratorium. The appellant would be required to show that the moratorium “imposes practical difficulties or extraordinary hardships” on them or their business. The variance application process will involve the town council holding a public hearing on the matter before a decision is rendered.
The Village of Lake Placid voted unanimously to pass mirror legislation on March 7, 2022 that will place the same moratorium in effect. The text of the Village moratorium also states that the village board has the right to extend or terminate the moratorium beyond or before the six month period if needed.
It is important to know that it is possible that the moratorium is extended or changed past the current six-month time frame. It is important for purchasers of real property in Lake Placid and North Elba to take this into account and consider that there are some unknowns for those planning to offer their property for STR in the future.
