NYC Strictly Limits Short-Term Rentals

Airbnb called the new regulations, which limit rentals to two guests and require owner occupancy, a ‘de facto ban’ for most hosts.

2 minute read

September 7, 2023, 6:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Close-up of hand holding phone with AIrbnb app open to New York City listings

RightFramePhotoVideo / Adobe Stock

A new law that went into effect in New York City this week, Local Law 18, will eliminate thousands of short-term rental units from the city, reports Amanda Hoover in Wired.

As Hoover explains, the law “is so strict it doesn’t just limit how Airbnb operates in the city—it almost bans it entirely for many guests and hosts. From now on, all short-term rental hosts in New York must register with the city, and only those who live in the place they’re renting—and are present when someone is staying—can qualify.” The law also limits hosts to two guests, eliminating the potential for hosting groups or families.

Critics of short-term rentals say the industry removes badly needed housing units from the long-term rental market and can bring noise, crime, and higher costs to neighborhoods. But the move could also make the city far less accessible to visitors. “Compounding the sudden shortage of Airbnbs in New York is another piece of the new law that allows landlords to ban entire buildings from short-term rental platforms.”

Advocacy group Restore Homeowner Autonomy and Rights is calling on the city to remove the capacity limits for smaller landlords who occupy their homes, arguing that many mom-and-pop hosts don’t fall into the same category as institutional landlords.

More on short-term rentals:

Tuesday, September 5, 2023 in Wired

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 23, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

View of residential street in Los Angeles with palm trees and hazy city in distance.

Rebuilding Smarter: How LA County Is Guiding Fire-Ravaged Communities Toward Resilience

Los Angeles County is leading a coordinated effort to help fire-impacted communities rebuild with resilience by providing recovery resources, promoting fire-wise design, and aligning reconstruction with broader sustainability and climate goals.

April 27 - Los Angeles County Chief Sustainability Office

Entrance sign for San Jose-Santa Clara Regional wastewater treatment facility.

When Borders Blur: Regional Collaboration in Action

As regional challenges outgrow city boundaries, “When Borders Blur” explores how cross-jurisdictional collaboration can drive smarter, more resilient urban planning, sharing real-world lessons from thriving partnerships across North America.

April 27 - * A Placemaking Journal

Rendering of Penrose Roundabout in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia Is Expanding its Network of Roundabouts

Roundabouts are widely shown to decrease traffic speed, reduce congestion, and improve efficiency.

April 27 - WHYY