Daily Regulatory Notes 01/01/2026
Cities address STRs. Ontario County, NY seeks approval on occupancy tax; Nantucket, MA revisits regulations; Madera County, CA delays hearing; Stowe, VT addresses housing affordability; Cape Coral, FL implements rental registration; Soldotna, AK introduces ordinances. READ MORE.
An Ontario County town is seeking state approval to impose a 3% occupancy tax on hotels and short-term rentals, asking lawmakers to authorize the measure through new legislation.
Town officials say the tax would align with neighboring Geneva’s rate and generate revenue from visitors rather than residents. If approved, funds could support lake protection efforts, tourism-related infrastructure, and local economic development initiatives. The town notes the tax would not take effect until at least 2027.
Nantucket voters move to resolve years of uncertainty around short-term rentals by approving a zoning bylaw that explicitly legalizes them as a principal use in all residential districts.
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The decision follows a June court ruling that cast doubt on the legality of whole-house rentals and intensified pressure after multiple failed Town Meeting articles earlier in the year. The bylaw now awaits review and final approval by the state attorney general.
Short Term Vacation Rental Ordinance
Madera County delays its Planning Commission hearing on a proposed short-term vacation rental ordinance to Feb. 4, 2026, pushing back from an earlier January date to allow more time for public review.
County officials say the draft ordinance will be released in the first week of January and will establish countywide permitting, operational standards, and enforcement rules for STVRs. The proposal includes non-transferable permits, business licensing, occupancy limits, parking, noise, safety standards, and enforcement procedures focused on compliance.
Stowe’s push to address housing affordability increasingly centers on regulating short-term rentals, as data from the town’s new registry shows most listings are owned by non-residents.
In response, the Selectboard advances a draft amendment that would freeze new non-resident short-term rental licenses after May 1, 2026, while exempting resident-owned units and resort zoning districts. The proposal heads to a public hearing, with further discussion expected in February.
Cape Coral implements new rental registration rules effective Jan. 1, 2026, requiring all residential rental properties to register annually, with fees set at $350 for short-term rentals and $35 for long-term units.
The city introduces stronger enforcement, including fines for failing to register or renew and escalating penalties that reach $1,000 for repeat short-term rental violations. Officials say the changes apply to all rental property types and are designed to improve compliance and support enforcement services.
Changes to Rental Registration and Fees Effective January 1, 2026
Soldotna City Council introduces two ordinances that would change how short-term rentals are permitted and taxed, with public hearings scheduled for Jan. 14.
One proposal updates the city’s tax code to clarify exemptions and improve collection of the 4% short-term rental tax, while the second would require all short-term rental units—owner-occupied and non-owner occupied alike—to obtain an administrative permit and follow uniform operating rules.
🐦 Tweet Highlights: Catch the latest discussions on X
A third of metropolitan councils have missed the State Government’s deadline to overhaul planning rules for short-term rentals such as Airbnb — despite having more than a year’s notice. READ: https://t.co/WgogV6bI3T pic.twitter.com/6fDEsU0GSl
— The West Australian (@westaustralian) January 1, 2026
The state’s Transient Accommodations Tax goes up to 11% on Thursday. It applies to guests who stay overnight in hotels, vacation rentals and, for the first time, cruise ships.
— Star-Advertiser (@StarAdvertiser) January 1, 2026
Details: https://t.co/gQufMwmyL5 pic.twitter.com/aiZWFJZIfQ
Fort Myers Beach cracks down on illegal short-term rentals https://t.co/lhJ3e0TfcS
— Gulf Coast News (@GCNNow) January 1, 2026
The City of San Diego passed a law intended to limit short-term rental ownership to ONE.
— NotoriousAirbnb (@NotoriousAirbnb) December 31, 2025
The law has a massive loophole, so you can have as many STRs as you want in San Diego.https://t.co/sloEGbKM0M
The village of Glenn Ellyn is temporarily blocked from enforcing a ban on a short-term rental property in its jurisdiction, a federal judge ruled.https://t.co/AYnG6dsshX
— Chicago Daily Law Bulletin (@CDLB) December 31, 2025
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