Short‑term rental zoning text amendment pulled for more work; licensing registry launch delayed

The Saratoga Springs City Council moved to pull the proposed Local Law No. 4 of 2025, which would amend the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) with definitions and zoning measures to support the city’s recently adopted short‑term rental licensing program. Councilors said additional revisions are needed and that a shorter form will be returned at a future meeting.

Background: Council members said the UDO amendment is a follow‑up to a licensing ordinance already adopted. The zoning text would codify definitions such as “primary” and “non‑primary residence” and specify that short‑term rental is a secondary, not primary, use. Staff told the council that some of the originally proposed amendments were only partially adopted earlier and that the item requires additional review before final enactment.

Separately, the mayor reported the city’s short‑term rental registry and enforcement module remains under construction. The vendor’s build is delayed; officials now expect a mid‑May launch of the online registration portal with a 90‑day grace period beginning June 1. The council and staff said registrations and scheduled inspections will be treated as compliant during the initial rollout, and they promised “plenty of notice” and no enforcement until registrants have been notified and scheduled for inspection.

Council members said inspections will be conducted by code enforcement with fire department support, and the city has added temporary staff to handle the increased workload. The council urged owners to consult the city’s short‑term rental FAQ page and the online registry when it launches.