Daily Regulatory Notes 02/25/2025
Cities address STRs. Washington proposes bill; Pinellas County, FL considers code changes; Summit Park drafts regulations; Gallatin County, MT handles lawsuit; Missoula, MT & New Orleans, LA review enforcement; Boston, MA discusses law; Billings, MT enforces regulation. READ MORE.
Every day, we bring you a detailed overview of recent news and updates about primary decisions, community feedback, or legislative changes relevant to the short-term rental industry. 📰
Washington
A proposed Washington state bill would impose a 6% tax on short-term rental bookings to help fund affordable housing has sparked opposition from Airbnb and local hosts. The measure sponsored by Sen. Liz Lovelett aims to address housing shortages in tourist-heavy areas.
Airbnb-backed Washington Hosts Collaborative Alliance (WHCA) rallied at the state capitol arguing the tax creates an unfair burden on homeowners who rely on rental income. The bill is currently under review by the Senate Ways & Means Committee.
Pinellas County, FL
Pinellas County is considering code changes that would remove the current 10-person occupancy cap on short-term rentals, no longer count children under 12 toward occupancy limits, and adjust quiet hours from 10 p.m.–9 a.m. to 11 p.m.–7 a.m.
While the proposal includes plans for 24/7 code enforcement, some residents fear the changes will lead to even more disruptive rental activity. A meeting on the proposed ordinance was set on Feb. 25., with local homeowners urging county officials to address concerns over noise, trespassing, and community impacts.
Summit Park, UT
Summit County officials are drafting new short-term rental regulations after Summit Park residents raised concerns about year-round nuisances including excessive trash, traffic, and safety risks.
Residents have called for stricter licensing, occupancy limits, and higher taxes on rentals as well as winter driving advisories and fire pit bans for vacation properties. In response, the county has created a subcommittee to update STR rules and is implementing new software to track compliance.
Gallatin County, MT
A group of Gallatin County property owners has filed a motion for a restraining order against the county alleging it abruptly changed its zoning interpretation to ban short-term rentals without going through the proper rule-making process.
Previously, STRs were permitted where long-term rentals were allowed, but recent violation notices have sparked legal action. Plaintiffs argue the move is unconstitutional and financially harmful to homeowners struggling with rising taxes.
Missoula, MT
Missoula has seen a significant rise in registered short-term rentals after its new regulations took effect in December 2024, requiring a city-issued registration number on hosting sites.
The city now reports 335 licensed STRs, up from 114 in late 2023, with additional properties under review. The permitting process has been simplified by eliminating health department delays and switching to self-inspection checklists. The city plans to reassess the updated registration process this spring to measure its effectiveness. Meanwhile, some owners have exited the short-term rental market due to the $636 registration fee.
"Those interested can search addresses in the city’s online portal to see if they are registered as a short-term rental"
New Orleans, LA
A recent zoning board ruling in New Orleans removed the requirement for hotels to maintain on-site staff at all hours, citing a lack of clear language in city ordinances. The decision could open the door for properties with hotel licenses to operate like short-term rentals without oversight.
In response, the Department of Safety and Permits issued guidance to reinstate staffing rules, though legal battles may follow. If the guidance is overturned, the City Council may undertake a months-long process to amend zoning laws and clarify staffing requirements before the short-term rental moratorium study concludes this fall.
Boston, MA
A Massachusetts law allowing accessory dwelling units (ADUs) by right in single-family zones took effect Feb. 2, following a six-month regulatory process. The law permits ADUs up to 900 square feet or half the primary residence’s size, with local governments able to regulate setbacks, bulk, and short-term rental use.
While the law applies to 350 municipalities, Boston is exempt and developing its own policy. State officials estimate the law could lead to 8,000–10,000 ADUs in five years, with an emphasis on increasing housing supply while balancing local concerns over rental market impacts.
Billings, MT
Billings city officials will begin sending courtesy letters the week of March 10 to over 300 short-term rental owners operating without the required permits.
A city business license ($55) and a short-term rental permit ($300) are mandatory under the city's 2021 ordinance which aims to minimize neighborhood impacts and ensure compliance with zoning regulations. Property owners will have 60 days to comply before facing potential municipal infractions and daily fines. The city is using software to identify unregistered rentals and hopes voluntary compliance will prevent penalties.
In case you missed it:
Genelaine Urbano
READ: 02/24/2025 Daily Notes
Stay Updated with STRisker
STRisker offers tools and features to keep you updated with the Short-Term Rental movement across the U.S. Explore our products below!
STRisker Calendar Tracker
Staying ahead of STR regulations isn’t just about deadlines—it’s about knowing what’s coming. Our Calendar Tracker keeps you informed on upcoming meetings, key votes, and policy changes, so you never miss a critical update.