Code: Transient Use (Limit on short‑term stays in residential buildings)
Description: (Transient use – short‑term occupancy) is a housing term for using a dwelling or building as a temporary place to stay for less than 30 days at a time. It usually means hotel‑style stays instead of permanent residential living.
Practical Meaning: For a NYC homeowner, transient use means people stay in a unit for short visits like hotel guests, not as long‑term residents. Renting out an apartment or house for less than 30 days, especially as a whole unit, can be illegal and lead to violations and fines.
Where You May See It: You may see “transient use” or similar language in DOB or HPD violations, in city rules about short‑term rentals, in the building’s Certificate of Occupancy (R‑1 vs R‑2, Class B vs Class A), and in legal notices or court decisions about illegal short‑term rentals.
Why It Matters: If a permanent residential building or apartment is used for transient stays without proper approvals and registration, the owner can receive violations, face fines, and be required to stop rentals and correct the use. Transient use can also affect safety rules, fire protection, and whether a building’s legal occupancy matches its real use.