Overview: Are Short‑Term Rentals Allowed in Ridgewood, NY?

Ridgewood is a neighborhood in Queens, New York City, and therefore subject to the City’s short‑term rental (STR) framework. Yes—short‑term rentals are allowed in NYC, including Ridgewood, but only if the listing complies with Local Law 18 (2022) and the Mayor’s Office of Special Enforcement (OSE) rules that took effect March 5, 2023. The law requires every host to register with the City and restricts occupancy and minimum stay rules. It also bans unregistered listings and prohibits booking services from processing transactions for unregistered or non‑compliant listings.

In short: If you register and meet all OSE requirements, you can operate a compliant STR in Ridgewood. If you do not register, you risk enforcement action, fines, and removal from booking platforms.

How to Start a Short‑Term Rental Business in Ridgewood (Step‑by‑Step)

• Confirm eligibility and building classification
  • Confirm your property is a legal one‑ to three‑family dwelling or a unit in a building where the law allows STR activity under NYC’s current rules (whole‑unit rentals of less than 30 days are allowed only if a lawful permanent resident is present for the rental; hosts must be “resident hosts”).
  • Verify the building’s Certificate of Occupancy (CO) and zoning to ensure short‑term rental use is permissible (Class A multiple dwellings may have additional constraints).
• Register your STR with OSE
  • Apply for an STR registration (required for all hosts offering a short‑term rental).
  • Include your registration number in your listing on every platform.
• Prepare safety and compliance measures
  • Install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors as required by law.
  • Follow egress and occupancy requirements and do not lock doors between host and guest living spaces.
• Determine maximum occupancy and stay limits
  • NYC rules limit stays to fewer than 30 days and cap occupancy at two guests per unit.
  • Ensure your listing states these limits and enforce them.
• Set up taxes and reporting
  • Charge and remit any applicable occupancy taxes and hotel taxes required by NYC (note: specific rate tables are not provided in the content; consult NYC.gov for current rates).
  • Keep records of guest stays and tax remittances.
• Operate and keep records
  • Maintain accurate records (guest logs, cancellation policies, safety checks).
  • Display your registration number in every listing and in any physical unit materials.
• Monitor platform compliance
  • Ensure booking services display your registration number; unregistered or non‑compliant listings are prohibited.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

• City registration
  • Short‑Term Rental Registration Certificate (OSE): mandatory for hosts and must appear on listings.
  • Listing must include the registration number and be posted on all booking platforms.
• Safety documentation
  • Proof of installed and functioning smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Building and occupancy documentation
  • Certificate of Occupancy (CO) showing lawful residential use.
  • Zoning compliance evidence, if applicable.
  • Occupancy documentation establishing lawful residence status (e.g., proof of primary residency).
• Operational materials
  • House rules that include occupancy limits, minimum stay (under 30 days), and safety requirements.
  • Guest logs and recordkeeping for stays and cancellations.

Specific Regulations for Short‑Term Rentals (NYC, Queens/Ridgewood; State Context)

• City‑level regulations (effective March 5, 2023)
  • Hosts must register with OSE.
  • Bookings for unregistered listings are prohibited.
  • Stays must be fewer than 30 days.
  • Occupancy is limited to two guests per unit.
  • No locked doors may separate host living spaces from guest areas.
  • Hosts must list their registration number on all platforms and maintain compliance records.
  • Enforcement is active; violations can result in fines and removal from platforms.
• County‑level notes
  • Queens County follows NYC rules; there are no additional county rules provided in the content.
• State‑level context (New York State)
  • Multiple Dwelling Law allows rentals in certain residential buildings for fewer than 30 days when the host is a permanent resident; NYC’s Local Law 18 codifies stricter NYC‑specific rules and requirements.
  • Property tax, income tax, and business tax obligations apply; consult the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance for applicable obligations.
  • The 90‑day rule cited in the content pertains to longer leases and is not applicable to short‑term rentals of fewer than 30 days.

Contact Information (Local Authority in Charge of STRs)

• Mayor’s Office of Special Enforcement (OSE)
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Note: NYC 311 can be used to report violations; specific OSE phone number was not provided in the content.

Important Compliance Notes and Best Practices

• Registration is mandatory for all STR hosts in NYC.
• Display your registration number prominently on all platforms; ensure booking services display it to avoid processing violations.
• Enforce the two‑guest maximum and minimum stay under 30 days.
• Maintain accurate records for inspections and audits.
• Do not have locked doors separating host and guest living spaces; ensure safe egress at all times.
• If you are not a resident host, whole‑unit rentals for fewer than 30 days are not permitted under the current NYC framework.
• Consult NYC.gov and OSE guidance for any updates to registration forms, safety requirements, and enforcement procedures.

Links to Source Pages

• NYC Rules: Registration and Requirements for Short‑Term Rentals (Adopted Rule)
  • rules.cityofnewyork.us/rule/registration-and-requirements-for-short-term-rentals/
• NYC OSE YouTube Hearings (for context on rulemaking and public comments)
  • youtu.be/K9KHGiAM0KY
  • www.youtube.com/watch?v=scwh8Si72h8
• Fox 5 NYC interview with former Council Member Ben Kallos (interpretation note by author)
  • www.youtube.com/watch?v=GANfW00rFx8

If you need deeper details on the registration process or enforcement mechanisms, review the adopted rule and associated PDFs on the NYC Rules site linked above. For Ridgewood investors, NYC’s rules apply; there are no separate neighborhood‑specific regulations in the provided content.