Daily Regulatory Notes 02/25/2026

Hawaii

State policymakers in Hawaii are weighing expanded enforcement and regulatory changes targeting tens of thousands of vacation rentals, backed by hotel industry advocacy and new research supporting stricter oversight.

Measures such as HB 1590 would strengthen enforcement against illegal listings, while local actions including Maui Bill 9 aim to phase out large numbers of short-term rental units to boost housing supply. Industry leaders argue these steps protect residents and stabilize the housing market, but rental advocates warn the policies could reduce accommodation options and shift tourism demand toward higher-priced hotels.

Solvang, CA

Solvang officials advanced an updated short-term rental ordinance to a first reading that would confine new vacation rentals to the Village Mixed-Use area, cap total permits at 40, and prohibit rentals in accessory dwelling units while allowing certain existing units to continue as nonconforming uses.

Short Term Rental Permits | Solvang CA

This page provides information for short term rental permits.

Home PageGovernment Websites by CivicPlus®

The proposal introduces mandatory safety inspections, occupancy limits based on bedroom counts, neighbor notification requirements within 300 feet, and stronger enforcement tools including permit revocation and penalties. Council members are expected to take final action on the ordinance in early March following a year of regulatory review and public feedback.

Evanston, IL

The Evanston City Council approved new short-term rental rules that replace earlier distance and building-percentage caps with a requirement that new rentals must not create a “negative cumulative effect” on neighborhoods.

The ordinance also requires property managers to live locally or maintain an office within three miles and mandates that platforms such as Airbnb obtain a city license before listing units. Officials said the changes aim to give the city more flexible oversight while still allowing enforcement actions, including license revocation, if rentals create community impacts.

Mentor, OH

In Mentor, a resident urged City Council to reconsider the city’s ban on short-term rentals following the Jan. 31 fire at Park House Apartments, arguing the prohibition limited emergency housing options for displaced residents.

The council had previously rejected a proposal that would have allowed a capped and regulated number of rentals with permits, inspections, occupancy limits, and local management requirements. Despite the appeal, city leaders have not indicated plans to revisit the policy.

Green Bay, WI

Officials in Green Bay are moving forward with revised short-term rental regulations that strengthen permit standards, require written guest rules covering noise and parking, and introduce defined enforcement procedures for problem properties.

The proposed framework would allow the city to suspend or revoke permits after corrective action opportunities, while also creating a public map of licensed rentals and tightening application requirements. The ordinance now heads to the City Council for further review and potential adoption.

Plan Commission Advances Short-Term Rental Updates to Strengthen Neighborhood Protections • Green Bay, WI

Green Bay WI home pageGovernment Websites by CivicPlus®

Hudson, NY

The Hudson Common Council is reviewing a proposed amendment that would expand allowable short-term rental use from 60 to 120 days annually, with further discussion expected in March following Legal Committee review.

Housing advocates, including Hudson Catskill Housing Coalition, say decisions are currently based on anecdotal evidence and are pushing for formal vacancy data to assess impacts on affordability. Critics argue extending rental limits could encourage more investor-owned listings and reduce housing access for residents.

Saratoga, CA

The City Council in Saratoga enacted a complete prohibition on short-term rentals through platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo, citing concerns over traffic, noise, and overcrowding in residential neighborhoods.

The ordinance, effective Feb. 4, makes listing or advertising a short-term rental a punishable offense with fines up to $5,000 and introduces third-party enforcement oversight. The mayor criticized the ban as overly broad and questioned whether it would deter problematic operators, advocating instead for targeted regulations and limited local participation.

STRisker News Tracker

Trying to keep up with STR regulations across multiple cities and states? Our News Tracker makes it easier than ever. Filter by location, search a comprehensive database, and sort by impact level—this tool helps you focus on what matters most.

Create Your Watchlist - 14 Day Free Trial

📱 Social Buzz

🎤 Episode Title: How to Use Market Data to Build a Profitable Short-Term Rental with Heather Martini and Emily King of Data Led Designs
🎤 Episode: The Brand & Market Podcast - Turning Airbnb Listings into Legacies

📻 Listen:https://the-brand-and-market-podcast.captivate.fm/episode/how-to-use-market-data-to-build-a-profitable-short-term-rental-with-heather-martini-and-emily-king-of-data-led-designs

👍 We’d love your feedback.
Which stories hit? Which ones missed?

We're constantly refining Daily Notes to make it even more useful for you.

✉️ Just reply directly to this email. We read and respond to every message!

-Will McClure
🙋 P.S.
Know someone else who should be reading Daily Notes? Feel free to forward this along. We’re opening a few more spots.