Short-Term Rental Surge Threatening Ulster County’s Housing Stock, Comptroller Finds

Over the last decade, the number of short-term rentals in Ulster County has surged by 220 percent. That’s according to a new report released on Monday from Ulster County Comptroller March Gallagher about the rapid growth of short-term rentals (STRs) and their increasing pressure on the county’s housing market.

From 2015 to 2024, the number of STRs in Ulster County exploded from 942 to 3,310 rentals – representing more than three percent of all housing units in Ulster County.

One of the report’s key findings reveal that seven percent of all studios or one-bedroom apartments in Ulster County are STRs, making it challenging for single individuals, couples, and young families to access affordable housing options and establish long-term stability.

The report highlights the challenges with STR enforcement in Ulster County. While at least 16 municipalities in Ulster County have adopted some form of STR regulations, at least six county villages and towns have adopted STR regulations with either a cap or a requirement that the unit must be owner-occupied.

“A significant percentage (36%) of STRs have an owner’s mailing address outside the County and of those, most absentee owners have addresses in New York City,” the report noted.

Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar spoke with Ulster County Comptroller Gallagher, who shared the latest from the report.

Image: A home available for short term rental in Ulster County. (Photo Credit: Ulster County Tourism)