Daily Regulatory Notes 02/24/2026

Florida

Florida lawmakers have advanced a bipartisan bill aimed at improving pool safety at vacation rental homes, mandating that any rental property with a pool—or a body of water within 150 feet—have at least one safety measure, including fences, alarms, or pool covers.

The legislation also allows the state to fine or suspend licenses for rentals that fail to comply. Senators Carlos Guillermo Smith and Danny Burgess, who combined separate proposals into a single bill, highlighted the need for the law after investigations revealed numerous child drownings at rental properties, including 119 fatalities statewide last year. Airbnb has expressed support, emphasizing that the bill provides clear safety standards while helping hosts feel confident in welcoming guests.

Green Bay, WI

Green Bay Plan Commission voted to recommend updates to Green Bay’s short-term rental ordinance, sending the proposal to the Green Bay Common Council for consideration on March 3.

The changes would require written guest house rules, create a public GIS registry of permitted rentals with contact details, and establish a formal correction meeting and action plan process before any permit suspension or revocation.

Hudson, WI

Hudson Common Council is considering a proposal to double how long residents in Hudson can rent out their homes on short-term rental platforms from two months to four months each year.

Short-Term Rentals | Hudson, WI - Official Website

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The change would apply to properties owned by people who live in the city part of the year and list on sites like Airbnb and Vrbo. Supporters say the adjustment could boost local revenue and give homeowners more flexibility, while critics warn it may worsen the city’s already tight housing supply and push prices higher for residents.

San Diego, CA

A recent case in San Diego has drawn attention to a regulatory loophole allowing properties cleared through no-fault evictions to be licensed as short-term rentals without restriction under current rules.

Short-Term Residential Occupancy (STRO) | City of San Diego Official Website

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City officials acknowledged the ordinance does not explicitly prohibit this pathway and are working on revisions to better align STR licensing with tenant protection goals. The situation underscores ongoing tension between STR activity and housing availability, as enforcement limitations and incomplete eviction data complicate regulatory responses.

Mendocino County, CA

Mendocino County officials are reviewing 19 potential regulatory changes for short-term rentals in unincorporated inland areas, including good-neighbor policies, possible caps tied to housing stock, and stronger enforcement measures, but several proposals were rejected or sent back for further study.

The Board of Supervisors directed staff to draft an ordinance reflecting feedback, which will undergo environmental review and public hearings before any final approval.

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Faribault, MN

Faribault officials are moving toward adopting a short-term rental ordinance focused on life-safety standards and lodging tax compliance rather than zoning restrictions.

The proposal would require rentals of fewer than 30 days to meet inspection requirements similar to traditional rentals and maintain at least $1 million in liability insurance, with coverage from platforms like Airbnb or VRBO accepted if sufficient. Council members will continue discussing registration fees and implementation details ahead of a first reading and future work session.

Kendall County, IL

Officials in Yorkville will implement new short-term rental regulations after approval from the Kendall County Board.

The policy introduces occupancy limits and enhanced safety inspections, which Chairman Matt Kellogg said are necessary to protect short-term guests. The decision followed community complaints about noise, trash, traffic, and properties hosting large groups, though some rental operators argued the rules unfairly target certain properties.

Newport, RI

Newport City Council is considering zoning changes that would require short-term rental “guest house” conversions in business and waterfront districts of Newport to undergo Special Use permit review rather than being allowed by right.

The proposal, recommended by the Newport Planning Board, would also prohibit ground-floor commercial spaces from becoming short-term rentals and require on-site year-round property managers and stricter parking compliance. The council will review the recommendations at its Feb. 25 meeting.

Manistee, MI

Manistee officials identified 89 unregistered short-term rental units after a Dec. 31 compliance deadline tied to the city’s new ordinance, while 96 properties have registered so far and must pay a $100 annual fee.

The policy caps short-term rentals at 165 units outside an overlay district that exempts lakefront, downtown, and condominium properties from the limit. City staff will begin sending notices to unregistered operators as part of enforcement, though officials say the city remains below its cap and continues accepting applications.

Beacon, NY

Beacon continues to struggle with enforcing its short-term rental law, with just 33 of 133 Airbnb listings registered as of mid-2025.

The city’s 2020 ordinance allows rentals up to 30 days at a time for a total of 100 days per year, but only on properties used as primary residences. Officials cite limited staffing as a barrier to proactive enforcement, focusing instead on complaints about noise, parking, or safety. With New York State authorizing a 2% occupancy tax, Beacon anticipates revenue collection beginning March 2026.

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