New Paltz Town, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 110 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 110-2

A. The Town Board of the Town of New Paltz finds and determines that current economic conditions are causing an increase in the number of one- and two-family residential properties in the Town that are owned by persons or business entities who do not reside at or occupy the property, including lending institutions which have foreclosed upon such properties or have acquired a beneficial interest in such properties from an owner unable or unwilling to continue payments upon a mortgage. Some of those properties are therefore vacant for extended periods of time, and often maintained or managed by a third party, such as a property manager, who may not be available to emergency responders or Town officials in the event of an emergency. B. The Town Board further finds that current economic conditions have the additional potential for an increase in the number of illegal or unauthorized residential rental units in the Town, creating public health, safety and welfare concerns arising from the rental of one- and two-family residential buildings with dwelling units that may be inadequate in size, overcrowded, not constructed or maintained in compliance with applicable provisions of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code ("NYS Fire and Building Code"), the New York State Multiple Residence Law ("Multiple Residence Law"), the Town Zoning Law, or other applicable state or local laws. Such conditions have potential to contribute to parking and traffic problems, to adversely impact natural and man-made resources and services and may require police, fire and emergency service demands in excess of the anticipated demand of single-family housing units, thus overburdening municipal services. C. Among the purposes and intent of this chapter is to establish and maintain a register of the current owners of one- and two-family residential rental properties; to require that such owners designate a responsible contact person for such properties and maintain current contact information on file with the Town, and promptly inform the Town of any change in ownership of such properties; to create a system whereby the owners of such buildings are required to register such buildings; to provide contact information for the owner or a responsible person for such properties and to promptly inform the Town of any change in ownership of such properties; and to establish and maintain procedures for the inspection of such properties to ensure that they are maintained in compliance with the Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code and the NYS Multiple Residence Law , and that vacant buildings are adequately secured. D. In considering the adoption of this chapter, the Town Board recognizes the importance of agricultural uses and operations to the Town and the regional economy and encourages the preservation and operation of such agricultural operations in the Town. Accordingly, it is not intended that this chapter shall be applied to agricultural uses within the Town, as such uses are defined in Chapter 140 of the Town Code. E. In considering the adoption of this chapter, the Town Board also recognizes the importance of protecting housing affordability within the community for long-term residents, whether owners or renters and it is not intended that this chapter be applied to owner-occupied dwellings (long- or short-term rentals), multiple dwellings, accessory dwellings or to "bed and breakfast" establishments as such uses are defined in this chapter. Accordingly, it is the intent of this chapter to apply to nonowner-occupied permanent (or "long-term") and short-term rentals.