Renting Your House

Short Term Rentals: Effective August 1, 2023, short term rental properties are subject to Local Law No. 4 of 2023 (PDF) regulating short term rentals in Chestertown.  A copy of the Local Law can be obtained at the Town Planning and Zoning Office or found online on the Town website at www.townofchesterny.org/media/5451.   

Applications for short term rental permits (PDF) can be obtained from the Town Planning and Zoning Office in-person or online.

Educating Renters About Lake House Responsibility

Renting your lake house is a great way to share the beauty of Friends Lake, but it’s essential to educate renters on how to enjoy their stay responsibly. By providing renters with clear guidelines, you can help protect the lake, its ecosystem, and the community.

1. Provide a Welcome Packet

Create a welcome packet for renters that includes:

  • House rules (specific to your property).
  • Lake rules and local ordinances to help renters understand their responsibilities.
  • Contact information for emergencies and local authorities
  • Educational materials:
    • Handouts on invasive species prevention (available from the Friends Lake Association).
    • Ice safety tips for winter rentals.

2. Prevent Invasive Species

Educate Renters

  • Share printed materials about invasive species and how renters can prevent them from entering the lake. Contact the Friends Lake Association for free handouts to leave in your home.
  • Include instructions for cleaning and disinfecting watercraft and equipment, such as:
    • Inspect: Check for and remove mud, plants, and other debris.
    • Drain: Empty live wells, bilges, and water containers before and after use.
    • Clean: Use bleach sprays or hot water to disinfect all equipment before launching.

Restrict Outside Watercraft

The Friends Lake Association strongly encourages homeowners to include contract language in rental agreements that:

  • Prohibits renters from bringing their own watercraft to launch in Friends Lake.
  • Alternatively, provide cleaning materials and sprays for renters to use along with invasive species literature.

3. Quiet Hours on the Lake

To preserve the peace and natural ambiance of Friends Lake, renters must follow quiet hours from 10 PM to 8 AM.

  • Encourage renters to limit noise during these hours, both on the water and around the property.

4. Lake-Specific Rules

Jet skis are strictly prohibited on Friends Lake

Per Town of Chester ordinance, the use of jet skis and personal watercraft is strictly prohibited on Friends Lake. Jet skis are extremely difficult to completely clean and are very likely to transport invasive species from one body of water to the next. Moreover, Friends Lake is very small and the use of such fast vehicles is extremely dangerous.

Dock Use

Renters and guests may only use the dock belonging to the homeowner. Boats must remain at the designated dock and should not be moved.

5. Pet Guidelines

  • Leash laws: The Town of Chester requires dogs to be on a leash at all times.
  • Clean up after pets: Renters must pick up after their pets and properly dispose of waste to protect the environment.

6. Fire Safety

  • Fires are only permitted in designated fire pits.
  • Do not burn garbage, and never leave fires unattended.
  • Ensure all fires are fully extinguished before leaving the area.\

Firewood Regulations – Don’t Move Firewood

Please remember that there is a NYS Department of Environmental Conservation regulation that prohibits the movement of untreated firewood more than 50 miles from its source.  The regulation also prohibits the importation of firewood into New York unless it has been treated to kill pests.  Learn more from Don’t Move Firewood.org

7. Winter Rentals: Ice Safety

For winter renters, include information on:

  • Ice safety: Warn renters about checking ice depths before walking or engaging in activities on the lake.
  • Bubbler systems: Inform renters that some docks use bubbler systems, which can thin the ice in certain areas, creating hidden hazards.

8. Respect the Lake Community

Help renters understand that they are guests in a tight-knit lake community:

  • Be courteous to neighbors and adhere to local laws.
  • Support the lake’s conservation efforts by following the provided rules.

9. How to Make This Easy for Renters

  • Print materials provided by the Friends Lake Association and leave them in visible places in your home (e.g., kitchen counter, welcome binder).
  • Post reminders around the property:
    • Signs at the dock for invasive species prevention and dock use.
    • Fire safety reminders near the fire pit.
    • Quiet hours notices inside the house.
  • Include cleaning materials like bleach sprays and encourage renters to use them for invasive species prevention.

By educating your renters on these rules, you not only protect Friends Lake but also contribute to preserving its peaceful and beautiful environment for generations to come.

Would you like this guide formatted into a renter-friendly document or visual handout?