Daily Regulatory Notes 01/06/2026

Hawaii

A federal appeals court has temporarily blocked Hawaii from enforcing a new climate tax on cruise ship passengers that was set to begin in 2026.

The lawsuit, brought by Cruise Lines International Association, argues the tax is unconstitutional, and the 9th Circuit granted an injunction on New Year’s Eve. The pause applies only to cruise passengers; higher taxes on hotel rooms and vacation rentals included in the same law remain in effect and are not being challenged.

Macon, GA

Macon-Bibb County’s new short-term rental occupation tax is now in effect, adding a $3 per-night fee on stays under seven days and $1.50 per night on stays of seven to 30 days, with longer stays exempt.

The flat-rate tax applies to hotels, Airbnbs, and other short-term lodging and stacks on top of existing sales and hotel-motel taxes, with officials projecting about $2.5 million in annual revenue.

Camden, ME

The Camden Select Board will receive a first-year report on the town’s short-term rental licensing program at its Jan. 6 meeting, as officials move into the program’s second year of enforcement.

Town staff identified about 165 short-term rentals after implementation, fewer than the 200–400 initially estimated, and issued 151 licenses, including several conditional approvals tied to life-safety compliance. Roughly 10 properties failed to obtain licenses, prompting staff to signal increased enforcement efforts moving forward.

Steamboat Springs, CO

Steamboat Springs is launching a new Civic Connections public forum series with an opening session focused on short-term rentals, aimed at helping residents better understand how STR regulations work.

The first event, “Understanding Short-Term Rentals,” takes place Jan. 22 at the Combined Law Enforcement Facility and will walk attendees through licensing requirements, zoning rules, application and renewal processes, and operational standards.

Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst police have issued what may be the city’s first citation under its new short-term rental ordinance after a Christmas Day incident at an Airbnb-style rental.

Officers responding to a parking complaint discovered the property exceeded the city’s maximum occupancy limits, triggering a violation under the recently adopted rules. The ordinance allows fines starting at $250 and escalating to license revocation.

Ocean City, MD

With its short-term rental moratorium now extended for another year, Ocean City officials are preparing to decide what comes next for STRs in residential areas and mobile home communities.

During the council meeting, members reviewed several regulatory paths, including eliminating STRs through a phase-out approach, freezing existing licenses, capping future permits, or taking no action once the moratorium ends in 2027.

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