Daily Regulatory Notes 02/18/2026

Arizona

Arizona lawmakers are advancing a revised short-term rental bill that would give cities limited new enforcement tools after broader efforts to cap or restrict STR growth failed amid industry opposition.

The proposal, backed by Selina Bliss, would allow municipalities to suspend permits for repeated violations over a longer timeframe, act on serious health and safety issues, and set occupancy limits, but would not allow cities to limit the number of rentals. Local leaders in tourist communities say the compromise offers modest regulatory authority but does not address housing supply concerns tied to STR proliferation.

New York City, NY

A ruling from the New York City Tax Appeals Tribunal clarified that short-term rentals in New York City can be subject to the Hotel Room Occupancy Tax based on how units are marketed, furnished, and controlled, not whether traditional hotel services are offered.

Hotel Room Occupancy Tax

<p>The Hotel Room Occupancy Tax is a tax you pay when you stay in a hotel. A “hotel” can be an apartment, hotel, motel, boardinghouse, bed-and-breakfast, bungalow or club. It doesn’t matter whether meals are served. If you stay in a room in a hotel, you have to pay this tax.</p>

The decision found that consistently offering fully furnished units for stays under 180 days and targeting transient guests can qualify an operation as hotel-like for tax purposes.

Sweetwater County, WY

Sweetwater County Board of County Commissioners voted to revise and re-advertise proposed amendments to the county’s short-term rental zoning rules after receiving mixed public feedback on how STRs should be regulated.

Residents raised concerns about potential growth of rentals and enforcement capacity, while others supported expanding STR opportunities, prompting officials to seek additional time to refine the proposal. Planning staff will update the language before further consideration, keeping the policy review process active.

Wayne, NJ

Wayne officials are considering an ordinance that would ban short-term rentals of 29 days or less following resident complaints about large parties and neighborhood disruptions.

The proposed measure would impose escalating fines for violations and could lead to eviction for repeat offenses, effectively eliminating STR operations if approved. The Township Council is scheduled to vote on the ordinance at an upcoming meeting.

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Chikaming Township, MI

Chikaming Township Board adopted a new short-term rental ordinance on Feb. 12 after months of research, committee work, and public input, with the rules taking effect March 23 following a publication notice.

The policy caps permits at 550, lifts the current moratorium on that date, and establishes a tiered fee structure of $500 for the first bedroom and $250 for each additional bedroom.

Carson City, NV

Carson City supervisors are set to discuss potential short-term rental (STR) regulations during their annual retreat Friday at the new Fire Station 55 and Emergency Operations Center.

The agenda highlights continued work on a framework for STR licensing, enforcement, and fees, following public outreach meetings in January with property owners, neighbors, and industry representatives. Current STRs are allowed in the same zones as hotels if used less than 28 days, but supervisors are exploring separate business license categories, safety and operational standards, and penalties for violations to better regulate transient rentals.

Ocean City, MD

Ocean City has lifted its short-term rental moratorium after the town council voted unanimously to rescind the ordinance, despite a petition gathering enough signatures to trigger a referendum.

The original moratorium, approved in December 2025, had blocked new STR licenses in residential and mobile home areas through January 2027 while updated regulations were considered. With the ordinance repealed, property owners in those areas can now apply for STR licenses again, and the planned referendum will not occur.

Greenville County, SC

Greenville County is beginning to explore regulations for short-term rentals after residents raised quality-of-life concerns about noise, parking, and trash in established neighborhoods.

An ad hoc county council committee met Feb. 16 to weigh community complaints against property owners’ rights, with no immediate decisions made. Committee members plan to study policies from other counties and cities, like Greenville and Simpsonville, which already have STR restrictions in place, before reconvening next month to discuss potential rules.

Columbia, SC

Columbia City Council moved forward on Tuesday to repeal the current moratorium on new short-term rentals, a restriction originally enacted after a June 2025 shooting at an Airbnb that left one person dead and three injured.

The council approved the first reading of the ordinance 6-0, with Councilman Will Brennan abstaining, and also took the initial step toward potential changes in the city’s unified development codes to allow exemptions for certain STRs. Both measures will require two more readings before they can become law.

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