What is New York Local Law 18?

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How it works

To legally offer a short-term rental in New York City, hosts must apply for and receive a registration number from the OSE. This process requires proving that they are the primary resident of the property being rented.

The law prohibits booking platforms like Airbnb, Vrbo, and others from processing transactions for unregistered listings. These platforms are now required to verify a host's registration status before a booking can be completed.

Any listing for a stay of less than 30 days where the host is not present is considered illegal, effectively banning the rental of entire apartments for short-term stays when the owner is away.

Why it matters

Local Law 18 significantly alters the short-term rental landscape in New York City, drastically reducing the number of available listings. For property owners and managers, it creates a stringent compliance environment where violations can lead to substantial fines, necessitating a shift towards rentals of 30 days or longer.

This regulation represents one of the most restrictive policies enacted against short-term rentals in a major global city, impacting host revenue, traveler accommodation options, and the business models of online travel agencies operating in NYC. See the official website for current details.

Examples

• A host who lives in a two-bedroom Brooklyn apartment wants to rent out their spare room for a weekend. To comply with Local Law 18, she must first register with the OSE, obtain a registration number, and remain present in the apartment for the entire duration of the guest's stay.
• A property owner has been renting their entire SoHo loft on Vrbo for 3-night stays for years. Under the new law, this practice is illegal because the owner does not live in the unit during the rental period. The owner must now only accept bookings for 30 consecutive days or more.
• A family living in Queens plans a two-week European vacation and wants to rent out their home to cover costs. Local Law 18 prohibits this, as any rental under 30 days requires the permanent resident to be present. They cannot legally list their home for a short-term rental while they are away.
• An international traveler attempts to book a 4-night stay in a Manhattan apartment on Airbnb. The platform blocks the transaction because the host has not provided a valid OSE registration number, indicating the listing is not compliant with Local Law 18.