🎯 STRisker: Bulletin - Preble, NY

A Deep Dive into Your Area’s STR Updates — Helping You Navigate the Ever-Changing Rental Landscape.

Lakefront Lawsuit: STR Showdown Hits Preble

The calm of Song Lake has been anything but peaceful lately—and now the debate over short-term rentals (STRs) is heading to court. A group of STR owners has sued the Town of Preble over a new local law that could put them out of business by 2027.

The ordinance, enacted in December 2024, gives existing STR operators three years to shut down. But STR owners argue the law was improperly passed and unfairly targets them. The lawsuit, which was heard in Cortland County Supreme Court, challenged the legality of the town board’s 3-2 vote, which technically fell short of the 4-1 supermajority that was required due to a non-recommendation from the Cortland County Planning Board.

Local Laws

Preble, NY

Preble’s attorney, Douglas Armstrong, claimed that the Planning Board hadn't provided strong enough reasoning for its objections, making a simple majority sufficient for the law's passage.

The Planning Board had said it would only support the law if four conditions were met:

1️⃣ clarity around enforcement timelines,

2️⃣ an analysis of impacts on tourism,

3️⃣ a legal pathway for future STRs in lakeside homes, and

4️⃣ compliance with environmental review procedures (SEQR).

At the heart of the issue is growing tension between long-term residents and rental operators. Some locals, like Joe Heath, said STRs are disrupting the lakeside community. Heath claimed there were just three STRs in 2022, all locally owned—now there are nine, and only four are owned by local residents. STR owners dispute those numbers and argue that the rentals were being unfairly vilified.

The town’s move to eliminate STRs altogether over a three-year phase-out has amplified divisions. While proponents say the ordinance protects neighborhood character and preserves quality of life, opponents argue it tramples property rights and undermines tourism dollars that benefit the area.

With so much disagreement—from how many STRs exist to who should regulate them—the court’s decision could reshape the future of lakeside rentals in Preble.

Town of Preble New York - Town Events

Preble, NY

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