PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. (WCAX) – The city of Plattsburgh has approved new fees for owners of short-term rentals and vacant properties as part of their efforts to address the local housing crunch.
Short-term rentals, like Airbnbs, will be required to pay an upfront fee of $350 and then $250 annually.
The fees vary for owners of vacant buildings depending on the type of property. Vacant commercial property owners will have to pay $500 upfront and $1,000 for the first year. That increases to $1,500 in subsequent years if it remains vacant.
“We have anywhere upward of 70 of these properties at any time that remain vacant, unused, underutilized that we are in such a position for housing and need for housing that we are these folks to do something with those properties,” said Plattsburgh Mayor Chris Rosenquest.
A vacant property is one that has been empty for roughly 30 days.
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