Lodging Operations

Hotels, motels, and cabin colonies are classified as temporary residences if they can be occupied or maintained for occupancy by 11 people or more and are in use for greater than 60 hours in a calendar year.

Public Health Sanitarians routinely inspect these facilities to ensure they are operated in a safe and sanitary manner.

These health and safety measures include:

• Sewage disposal and treatment
• Water quality and quantity
• Operator availability
• Fire safety
• Housing maintenance
• Hazardous materials
• Food service
• Electrical safety
• Swimming pools and beaches if applicable
• Refuse
• Vectors and vermin
• Linens and bedding

For requirements refer to Subpart 7-1 of the NYS Sanitary Code.

Temporary Residence Reporting Requirements

An operator of a temporary residence is required to report the following to DBCH within 24 hours of any of the following occurrences:

• An injury or illness occurring at your swimming pool, bathing beach or recreational aquatic spray ground 
• A condition suspected of affecting the quantity or quality of the on-site potable water supply or constituting a public health hazard 
• An illness suspected of being food or water-borne originating from your facility
• An illness related to exposure to carbon monoxide within your facility
• All fires which result in a report or a call to a fire or police department

Swimming facilities at a Temporary Residence (Hotel/Motel)

These forms, which can be found on our swimming web page are required to be submitted and approved, and a pre-operational inspection are required before you open your swimming facility at a temporary residence.

Please contact your closest district office for an inspection and any questions regarding these requirements. 

Programs & Fees

• New York State Sanitary Code – Subpart 7-1- Temporary Residences
• Dutchess County Sanitary Code, Article 21- Housing Hygiene and Occupancy
• Dutchess County Sanitary Code, Article 7- Temporary Residences

• Bed & Breakfasts are defined as dwellings with three to five bedrooms offered for overnight accommodations with the owner living on premises.
• Rooming Houses are defined as dwellings with three or more rooming units intended for living and sleeping but not cooking.

Public Health Sanitarians routinely inspect these facilities to ensure they are operated in a safe and sanitary manner.

These health and safety measures include:

• Refuse
• Water supply
• Sewage disposal
• Fire safety
• Density
• Heating
• Lighting and ventilation
• Toilet and bathing facilities
• Electrical

Bed & Breakfasts and Rooming Houses are regulated by the Dutchess County Sanitary Code, Article 21.

How do I obtain a permit for a lodging facility or rooming house?

• You must submit a permit application at least 30 days prior to operation, including information regarding workers' compensation insurance.
• Operations with onsite water must complete an application for a public water supply and receive a permit.
• Sites with individual water and/or septic systems may require an engineering review and approval.
• Fill out a DOH-154 form if you are planning to enlarge, convert and/or construct a facility. Additional requirements may apply.
• Check with the district office that oversees your area for any additional requirements that may apply.
• Check with your local municipality for any additional requirements.

See also:

File a FOIL request to review a previously permitted facility.



 

How do I make a complaint about a current lodging facility or rooming house?

Contact us by email or phone and leave a detailed description with your contact information so that we can follow up and obtain additional details as needed.