Watkins Glen rental law will affect many

Jan 01, 2019 at 08:56 pm by Observer-Review


Watkins Glen rental law will affect many ADVERTISEMENT

Watkins Glen rental law will affect many

WATKINS GLEN--The village board recently approved a new law that will impact short-term rental properties throughout Watkins Glen.
The short-term rental law applies to properties from one unit to multi-units in the village.
Some of the key provisions of the new law include:
• $400 rental permit fee must be paid to the village every two years
• The application permit must include the following information:
A. The signature of all persons and entities that have an ownership interest in the subject property.
B. A copy of the current vesting deed showing how title to the subject property is then held.
C. Permission for a property inspection by the Short-Term Rental Enforcement Officer.
D. An acknowledgement of compliance with the Short-Term Rental Standards as defined in Section 9.34.3 below, including, but not limited to, the demonstration of adequate parking for occupants of the proposed short-term rental.
E. A list of all the property owners of the short-term rental, including names, addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses.
F. The name, address, telephone number and email address of a contact person, who shall be responsible, and authorized, to act on the owner's behalf to promptly remedy any violation of these standards or the permit. The contact person may be the owner or an agent designated by the owner to serve as a contact person.
G. An, accurate, suitable site plan, measuring at least 8 ½" X 11", drawn to scale and certified by the applicant. The site plan need not be prepared by a professional, but must include the following:
1. The location of buildings and required parking.
2. Basement, to include house utilities, all rooms including bedrooms, windows and exits.
3. First floor / All room with exits, windows, bedrooms and any heating/cooling units.
4. Second floor / All rooms including exits, windows, bedrooms and any heating/cooling units.
5. Attic if any with all rooms including exits, windows, bedrooms any heating/cooling units.
Furthermore, the property requirements for short-term rentals also include:
Egress: Either interior stairs protected by a limited area sprinkler system installed in conformance; or an exterior stair conforming to the requirements of the state building code, providing a second means of egress from all above grade stories or levels or an opening for emergency use conforming to the requirements of state building codes within each bedroom for transient use, such opening to have a sill not more than 14 feet above level grade directly below and, as permanent equipment, a portable escape ladder that attaches securely to such sill. Such ladder shall be constructed with rigid rungs designed to stand off from the building wall, shall be capable of sustaining a minimum load of 1,000 pounds, and shall extend to and provide unobstructed egress to open space at grade.
All short-term rentals must comply with all applicable local, state, and federal laws regarding accessibility by persons with a disability.
Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors--There shall be one working smoke detector in each sleeping room and one additional smoke detector on each floor. Carbon monoxide detectors shall be installed as required by the state fire prevention and building code. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors must be hard wired and interconnected.
Emergency evacuation procedures--Evacuation procedures must be posted in each sleeping room to be followed in the event of a fire or smoke condition or upon activation of a fire or smoke-detecting or other alarm device.
ABC Fire Extinguishers
There shall be an ABC Fire extinguisher on each floor and in the kitchen.
Fire extinguishers should be inspected annually and certified by a licensed inspector.
Fire extinguishers should be inspected monthly by the permit holders.
The building shall have a house number clearly legible from the street or road.
Exterior doors shall be operational and all passageways to exterior doors shall be clear and unobstructed.
Electrical systems shall be serviceable with no visual defects or unsafe conditions.
All fireplaces shall comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
The proposed short-term rental must have at least two off-street parking spaces. If no such spaces are available, an applicant for a short-term rental permit may apply to the Planning Board for an Off-Street Parking Waiver in accordance with Section 9.4.8 of the Zoning Law.
The maximum occupancy for each short-term rental unit shall not exceed 10 people per residential dwelling unit as defined in Article 2 Interpretations / 2.1 Definitions of the Zoning Law.
In the event that the property has a septic system, the maximum occupancy shall be defined by the capabilities of the septic system, but in no event shall occupancy for each short-term rental unit exceed 10 people.
Insurance and Registration Standards include:
All applicants and permit holders must provide a "Evidence of Property Insurance" and "Certificate of Liability Insurance" indicating the premises is rated as a short-term rental and maintain such insurance throughout the term of the short-term rental permit.
In addition to the requirements imposed by this Section 9.4.3, all applicants and permit holders must obtain and maintain all governmental permits and licenses necessary to conduct business as a short-term rental. The Certificate of Authority to Collect Occupancy Tax must be posted in the home by the front door with the Village of Watkins Glen Short-Term Rental Permit. Regardless of the mode of sale or who is collecting or paying occupancy taxes the homeowner must file with the Schuyler County Office of Treasurer quarterly revenues generated by short-term rental for the occupancy tax revenue.
The village also has some additional details that need to be met for short-term rentals. The clerk's office in the village of Watkins Glen can provide these specifics.
The new village legislation has to be filed within 20 days of Dec. 17. Then, the village language will become law in January, 2019.

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