Rochester, New York Short Term Rental Regulations

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Reviewed by Karolyn Hutson

Last updated August 23, 2023

Rochester Short-Term Rental Regulations

Information is maintained by the community to provide helpful insights and links to local regulations, HostScouts does not provide legal or investment advice.

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  • Short Term City Rating
    6.3
  • Competition

    5.8
  • Real Estate Cost

    8.9
  • STR Regulations

    N/A
  • Seasonality

    6.1
  • Rental Rates

    4.6

Rochester, New York Quick Stats

Short-term rentals have gained a lot of traction in the last few years. The trends and statistics of this sector are constantly changing, and having access to accurate data is essential for making sound investment decisions.

Population
211,328
STR License Required
No
Tourist Season
County
Monroe
Airports
Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC)
Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF)
Review our Rochester New York short-term rental analytics guide, including rates, property types and other metrics

Want to learn more about Rochester?

Hostscouts has you covered. Our guides for this city cover topics that can help you research cities across the US quickly and easily.

Check out our Rochester rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Rochester rental market.

City Activities

Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Rochester.

City Attractions

The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.

Rochester Rental Rates & Fees

Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.

Property Types & Sizes

What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits Rochester guests.

Interested in other New York cities?

Check out the New York short term rental regulations directory 

What makes Rochester a great place to invest?

  • The Strong National Museum of Play: Embrace your inner child at this one-of-a-kind museum dedicated to the history and exploration of play. With exhibits ranging from interactive video games to the world's most comprehensive collection of dolls and toys, The Strong promises fun for visitors of all ages.
  • George Eastman Museum: Step back in time at the world's oldest photography museum, housed in the former residence of Kodak founder George Eastman. Marvel at the extensive collection of vintage cameras, photographs, and film technology, while learning about the man who revolutionized the world of imaging.
  • High Falls District: Witness the stunning 96-foot waterfall located in the heart of Rochester's downtown. Surrounded by historical buildings and repurposed industrial spaces, High Falls is a prime spot for dining, shopping, and enjoying the city's vibrant atmosphere.
  • Seneca Park Zoo: Get up close and personal with over 90 species of animals at this family-friendly zoo. Spread across 20 acres, Seneca Park Zoo showcases wildlife from around the globe, including African elephants, sea lions, and red pandas. Don't miss the zoo's unique Animals of the Savanna exhibit!
  • Outdoor Adventure: Outdoor enthusiasts will love the abundance of activities available in and around Rochester. Explore the scenic trails at Letchworth State Park, dubbed the "Grand Canyon of the East," or kayak down the Genesee River for a refreshing take on the city's landscape.

Rochester Nearby Cities

Local Real Estate

How expensive is the real estate in Rochester?

The cost of real estate can vary widely depending on the location, size, and features of the property, as well as market conditions. The median home value in Rochester has increased 17% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $142, which is lower than the national average.

Median Sale Price

$250,328

17% YoY

Median per Square Foot

$142

15% YoY

Average Monthly Rent

$1,426

3% YoY

Property Descriptions

The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Rochester, New York

Word Cloud for Rochester, New York Short Term Rentals

Common terms for Rochester short term rental listings.

When potential guests are scrolling through listings on Airbnb, they’re looking for certain essential information to help them decide if your property is the right fit for their needs. As a host, ensuring that your listing includes all the relevant information that guests will be looking for is vital.

Some of the must-have elements of a property description include:

  • Location: Guests will want to know where your property is located in relation to popular attractions, public transportation, and other points of interest.
  • Amenities: What amenities does your property offer? Be sure to list all features guests can access, such as a pool, hot tub, parking, etc.
  • Informative: The average listing in Rochester has a description approximately 1,213 words long. Make sure yours is long enough to describe your property but doesn't require your potential guest to read a novel.

After reviewing more than 1,300 listings in Rochester, we've consolidated the most common terms on the word cloud. The larger text represents a term that is used more often. The top ten mentioned terms are Rochester, Place, Comfortable, Quiet, Walking, Perfect, Spacious, Cozy, Bar, and Beautiful.

What are the most popular tourist activities in Rochester?

Whether renting a house, an apartment, or a room, you should include popular tourist activities in your posting. The most common choices mentioned on property listings in Rochester involve Museums, the Zoo, the Health Spa, the City Centre, and Hiking. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.

Museums

Zoo

Health Spa

City Centre

Hiking

Cycling

Boating

Adventure Activities

Theme Parks

Swimming

Antiquing

Marina

Local Attractions

What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?

There are quite a few popular attractions in Rochester, including University of Rochester, Rochester Institute of Technology, Strong, Strong Memorial Hospital, and Marketplace Mall. Below we've included the most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings. Many hosts like to show off lesser-known regional landmarks visitors might not have heard of.

Well Known Attraction

University of Rochester

Included on nearly all listings

Regional Landmark

Strong

Included on nearly all listings

Regional Landmark

Strong Memorial Hospital

Included on nearly all listings

Regional Landmark

Eastman School of Music

Included on nearly all listings

Regional Landmark

Main Street Armory

Included on nearly all listings

Regional Landmark

Blue Cross Arena

Included on nearly all listings

Local Landmark

Genesee River's High Falls

Included on nearly all listings

Well Known Attraction

Rochester Institute of Technology

Included on nearly all listings

Regional Landmark

Marketplace Mall

Included on nearly all listings

Regional Landmark

St. John Fisher College

Included on nearly all listings

Local Landmark

Seabreeze Amusement Park

Included on nearly all listings

Local Landmark

Rochester Riverside Convention Center

Included on 77% of listings

What’s the weather like in Rochester, New York?

The weather is generally milder than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 57°, while the average low is about 42°. It has normal rainfall, averaging about 24 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall can be rather heavy, averaging less than 21 inches per year. The humidity levels in Rochester are generally lower than the national average, and the city tends to be a bit cloudy for most of the year.

Winter

December through February

22° Low 35° High

Precipitation
2.8"
Snowfall
14.7"
Muggy Days
0.0 days
Cloudiness
66%

Spring

March through May

39° Low 55° High

Precipitation
5.7"
Snowfall
5.3"
Muggy Days
0.7 days
Cloudiness
54%

Summer

June through August

61° Low 78° High

Precipitation
7.6"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
20.8 days
Cloudiness
39%

Fall

September through November

45° Low 59° High

Precipitation
7.4"
Snowfall
1.2"
Muggy Days
3.1 days
Cloudiness
46%