The City of Kingston, NY

    Welcome to the City of Kingston, NY

    Kingston, dating to the arrival of the Dutch in 1652, is a vibrant city with rich history and architecture, was the state's first capital, and a thriving arts community. City Hall is in the heart of the community at 420 Broadway, and is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except July & August (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.).  Come tour our historic City, with restaurants that are among the region's finest, and local shopping that promises unique finds.

    Historic Churches

    Kingston is home to many historic churches. The oldest church still standing is the First Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of Kingston which was organized in 1659. Referred to as The Old Dutch Church, it is located in Uptown Kingston. Many of the city's historic churches populate Wurts street (6 in one block) among them Hudson Valley Wedding Chapel is a recently restored church built in 1867 and now a chapel hosting weddings. Another church in the Rondout is located at 72 Spring Street. Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church was founded in 1849. The original church building at the corner of Hunter Street and Ravine Street burned to the ground in the late 1850s. The current church on Spring Street was built in 1874.

    Kingston, NY

    Kingston became New York's first capital in 1777, and was burned by the British on October 13, 1777, after the Battles of Saratoga. In the 19th century, the city became an important transport hub after the discovery of natural cement in the region, and had both railroad and canal connections.

    Kingston, NY

    The town of Rondout, New York, now a part of the city of Kingston, became an important freight hub for the transportation of coal from Honesdale, Pennsylvania to New York City through the Delaware and Hudson Canal. This hub was later used to transport other goods, including bluestone. Kingston shaped and shipped most of the bluestone made to create the sidewalks of New York City.

     

    Contact Us

    City Hall Address:
    420 Broadway
    Kingston, New York
    12401

    Phone:
    (845) 331-0080
    Email:
    [email protected]

    The Department of Housing Initiatives is a newly established department dedicated to support housing planning in the City of Kingston. The Department manages housing-related grants, supports the construction of new market-rate and affordable housing, develops policies to protect existing residents, and addresses the connection between housing and sustainability, health, and mobility. The Department also reviews the disposition of city-owned property suitable for housing development and collaborates with local and regional housing organizations.

    The City of Kingston is a proud member of the Ulster County Housing Smart Communities Initiative and a member of the Up For Growth network. The Office of Housing Initiatives also manages a City of Kingston Housing Task Force


    Upcoming Housing-Related Public Events & News

    DRI Residential Rehab Program: The City of Kingston is proud to use a portion of its Downtown Revitalization Initiative(External link) funds to help income-eligible residential property owners undertake minor/substantial repairs to resolve building code violations, address health and safety hazards, and make necessary structural improvements. For more information, see here

    ARPA Affordable Housing Fund: The City of Kingston has allocated $1,000,000 of its ARPA allocated to incentivize the development of affordable housing. Applications will be accepted beginning on June 1, 2021. For more information, see here

    ADU Plus One Program: In partnership with Ulster County and RUPCO, a grant program to help homeowners pay for the creation of new Accessory Dwelling Unit is now open! Applications are due on September 8. For more information, see here: https://rupco.org/plusone/

    Accessory Dwelling Unit Design Competition: The City of Kingston, in partnership with RUPCO and Ulster County, is hosting an accessory dwelling unit design competition. Submissions are due August 15, 2023. For more information, see here

     Citywide Rezoning: As of August 2, 2023, the citywide form-based code is in effect. For more details and the latest updates, visit https://engagekingston.com/kingston-forward

    Emergency Tenant Protection Act: On July 28, 2022, the Common Council of the City Kingston passed Resolution 144 of 2022 to declare a housing emergency. That Resolution, based on a careful study of local housing conditions, allows Kingston to opt into the Emergency Tenant Protection Act (ETPA). Mayor Steve Noble signed the legislation on July 29, 2022. The effective date of this legislation is August 1, 2022. For the City's ETPA tenant information hub on Engage Kingston to learn about your rights under this legislation, click here. If you are a tenant or owner, you can also visit DHCR's rent connect website (https://rent.hcr.ny.gov/RentConnect/Welcome) for all relevant forms and documentation. 

    Active Housing Projects on Engage Kingston

    Kingston Forward: Citywide Rezoning

    City of Kingston Surplus Properties

    Emergency Tenant Protection Act Information Hub

    ARPA Affordable Housing Fund

    Say Yes to ADUs! Accessory Dwelling Design Competition

    Midtown Thriving: Brownfield Opportunity Area Grant




    Relevant Plans

    A Plan for Redevelopment: The City of Kingston’s Vacant and Abandoned Properties

    Kingston 2025 Comprehensive Plan

     

    Fact Sheets & Housing Resources

    Short-term rental regulations in the City of Kingston - This fact sheet outlines the regulations for short-term rentals in the City of Kingston under the form-based zoning code. The online registration link is: https://cityofkingston.munirevs.com

    Do you have a complaint related to short-term rental activity? You can submit it here. (Make sure to select City of Kingston, NY under the jurisdiction) 

    Housing Development Process - This fact sheet outlines the current process for building new housing in the City of Kingston.  

    Landlord-Tenant Housing Mediation Program - This fact sheet provides information on the Landlord-Tenant Housing Mediation Program. This program provides free, confidential mediation from a trained mediator that can help resolve your conflict without having to go to housing court. To get started, fill out an intake form or call the DRC at (845) 372-8771 x 5001 to reach Jolynn Dunn. 

    Emergency Tenant Protection Act in Kingston, New York (last updated on December 5, 2022) - On July 28, 2022, the Common Council of the City Kingston passed Resolution 144 of 2022 to declare a housing emergency. This fact sheet gives information on the implementation of ETPA in Kingston and contains a list of properties covered by ETPA. 

    Residential Tenants' Rights Guide - This guide from the Attorney General's Office summarizes renter's rights and protections under New York State Law. 

    City of Kingston Disposition Policy - The City of Kingston follow this property for selling surplus property. 


       
         
         
         
         

    Contact Information

    Bartek Starodaj, Director of Housing Initiatives

    (845) 334-3928

    [email protected]