Editor’s note: This version corrects an editor’s mistake and clarifies that although the rental unit in question was listed on Airbnb and other platforms, Airbnb did not handle the booking for that specific night or time period. It was through an alternative site.
A shooting that occurred in Charlotte on Feb. 28 at a short-term rental property has brought up concerns and a push for a short-term rental registry.
Lawmakers had a debate about establishing a short-term rental registry in December during a Monroe County Legislature meeting with the county opting-out in a 21-8 vote.
The vote came after several individuals raised concerns about opting out of the registry portion of New York’s short-term rental law, enacted late last year.
The measure allowed for the creation of a short-term rental registry and created a system where short-term rental platforms such as Airbnb and VRBO will be required to collect and remit sales tax.
Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a chapter amendment in February 2025 which created the final framework for counties to opt in or out of creating a short-term rental registry.
What is a short-term rental?
A short-term rental is a furnished property that individuals can rent out for a temporary period. Units that can be rented out include a house, an apartment or a room.
The rental properties are commonly booked through platforms such as Airbnb and VRBO. Most people book a short-term rental when vacationing or for temporary business travel.
During the legislative meeting in December, Monroe County Legislator Rachel Barnhart argued against opting out, describing how a county registry could aid transparency, fairness and oversight in the short-term rental universe.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? Get in touch at kweaver@gannett.com and use “short-term rental registry” in the subject line. Thank you! We want to hear your opinions and questions, not just the county response. — KW
Following the shooting, Barnhart said in a statement how incidents like this highlight why visibility matters.
“When commercial lodging operates inside residential neighborhoods, there must be clear lines of accountability and visibility for law enforcement and regulators.”
Barnhart contacted the government affairs teams of the VRBO and Airbnb platforms, calling them to remove the short-term rental listing tied to the shooting as she noticed the listing still remained on the platforms Tuesday morning.
Barnhart further described how this shooting has renewed concerns about the lack of oversight and transparency surrounding short-term rentals operating in residential neighborhoods.
“Right now, Monroe County does not maintain a registry of these properties. That means law enforcement, neighbors, and policymakers lack basic visibility into where and how these rentals operate,” Barnhart said in a statement.
Barnhart, on the evening of March 3, said she received a response from the short-term rental platforms and was told that the listing had been suspended.
Rochester Mayor Malik Evans issued a closure order for the short-term rental property located at 4302 Lake Ave. under his Gun Violence State of Emergency order.
According to the closure order, the property was being used as an unlawful short‑term rental and had become a nexus of gunfire and violence.
The closure order also said that the property will “be closed for all purposes other than strictly residential purposes for the benefit of the current residents and no other persons.”
— The Democrat and Chronicle reached out to Monroe County and is awaiting a response.
— Kerria Weaver works as the Government and You reporter for the Democrat and Chronicle, with a focus on how government actions affect communities and neighborhoods in Rochester and in Monroe County.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Charlotte short-term rental shooting renews calls for registry
Reporting by Kerria Weaver, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
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