The Peru Gazette

Nov. 20, 2025 – Plattsburgh, NY — Clinton County is encouraging all short-term rental operators to ensure they are properly registered with the County Treasurer’s Office, as required under the Clinton County Room Occupancy Tax Law. This applies to homeowners and lodging operators renting directly to guests as well as those using platforms such as Airbnb or VRBO.

“Some operators may not realize that they must register with the County even when a booking platform collects and remits tax on their behalf,” said Rebecca Murphy, Deputy Treasurer and Finance Manager. “Quarterly reporting is required for all operators so we can maintain accurate records and support compliance with state and local law.”

To assist operators who may have been unaware of these responsibilities, the Clinton County Legislature authorized a temporary grace period allowing penalties and interest owed as of October 31, 2025, to be waived if operators register and pay all taxes due by February 28, 2026, and if the delay was based on reasonable cause.

Legislature Chairman Mark Henry emphasized that this initiative is focused on awareness and fairness.
“Our goal is simply to ensure every operator understands what’s required and has an opportunity to come into compliance,” Henry said. “Short-term rentals are an important part of our tourism economy, and this grace period provides a reasonable path for anyone who may have missed a step.”

As part of the County’s outreach, letters were mailed to short-term rental owners identified through online listings, asking them to verify and update their registration status.

Finance Committee Chairman Rob Timmons highlighted how updated reporting directly benefits the community. “The occupancy tax is reinvested directly into efforts that strengthen our tourism economy, attract visitors, and support businesses across the county,” Timmons said. “Keeping our registry up to date ensures those funds are collected responsibly and used to support initiatives that strengthen Clinton County’s visitor economy. We encourage all rental owners to take advantage of the grace period and reach out if they need assistance.

Occupancy tax revenues remain dedicated to tourism promotion and development, supporting efforts such as expanding the county’s fishing tournament portfolio, increasing marketing presence in Québec and key domestic markets, and advancing destination research to ensure Clinton County remains competitive with surrounding regions.

Short-term rental owners can register and file online at https://portal.deckard.com/ny-clinton-str-portal or email roomtax@clintoncountyny.gov with questions.

Clinton County appreciates the cooperation of property owners and encourages anyone with questions to contact the Treasurer’s Office for assistance.