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Milford board adopts sweeping zoning changes, adds rules for short-term rentals and campgrounds
Summary
The Milford Town Board adopted Local Law No. 1 of 2025, updating the town zoning law to add a short-term/transient rental definition, permit campgrounds in the RA district under detailed standards, and revise animal-keeping rules. The vote was 3–0 with two members absent.
The Milford Town Board on June 18 adopted Local Law No. 1 of 2025, a package of amendments to the town zoning law that adds a new definition for short-term/transient rentals, changes animal-keeping rules, and creates a special-permit pathway for campgrounds in the Residential-Agricultural (RA) district.
The law text replaces the short-term rental definition with the following language: "Short-Term Transient Rental: The rental or lease of any dwelling unit, for a period of thirty (30) days or less, to one or more Person(s) as the term is defined within this Law." The ordinance also adds Section 6.3(d) permitting "not more than three (3) roomers, lodgers, or transient guests" and revises animal-keeping setbacks, specifying buildings and pens be at least 25 feet from any adjoining property line while allowing pastures to extend to the property line.
The new campground provisions (Article 14, Section 14.16) set detailed operational standards: minimum frontage (100 ft., with a 30 ft. easement possible), a resident manager living on site, opaque screening from adjacent properties, fire protection equipment approved by the code officer, at least one public emergency phone on site, minimum spacing between campsites, water and sewage design standards tied to NYS Department of Health requirements, specified toilet and shower counts, solid-waste and parking standards, limits on noise between 10 PM and 7 AM, and a prohibition on events or fireworks except by town permit.
Town Supervisor Casey Eckler announced the board's action. The adoption vote was recorded as Kristen Velasco — Aye; Vera Sosnowski — Aye; Casey Eckler — Aye; Harold Couse — Absent; John Davis — Absent, and the motion passed.
Why it matters: The changes create a clear local regulatory framework for short-term rentals and establish a process and technical standards for campgrounds, which could affect property owners, seasonal visitors, and permit applicants. The law takes effect upon filing with the Secretary of State as provided by the Municipal Home Rule Law.
What's next: The law’s text references Section 10 and Section 27 of the Municipal Home Rule Law as statutory authority; town staff and the code enforcement officer will be responsible for implementation and review of special-permit campground applications under the new standards.
