Daily Regulatory Notes 03/05/2026

Missouri

Missouri lawmakers are racing to clarify how short-term rentals are taxed ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as uncertainty over property classifications continues to create tension for homeowners and assessors.

Advocates, including Susan Brown of the KC Short Term Rental Alliance, say current law forces county assessors to choose between residential and commercial classifications, leading to inconsistent reclassifications in roughly a dozen counties and sharp tax increases for some operators. Pending legislation — including a consolidated Senate bill and HB 1768 — would explicitly keep short-term rentals taxed at the residential rate. With Senate action expected soon, lawmakers face a deadline in the second week of May to finalize changes.

Maryland

The Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) submitted a letter to the Economic Matters Committee on HB 993, which seeks to clarify that tenants can offer leased properties as short-term rentals while reinforcing local authority to regulate these uses.

ENGAGIFII

Engagifii

The measure aims to prevent “Airbnb arbitrage” practices that could divert units from the long-term rental market, a concern raised when the bill was first introduced in 2025. The cross-filed SB 666 was also addressed on February 25 in the Judicial Proceedings Committee, reflecting ongoing collaboration between state lawmakers and counties.

Memphis, TN

The Memphis City Council is moving toward stricter enforcement of short-term rental regulations following mounting resident complaints and a series of violent incidents tied to STR properties.

During Tuesday’s discussion, Councilman Philip Spinosa said neighbors are demanding action, prompting a resolution that calls for stronger monitoring and enforcement of existing ordinances passed in 2023. The resolution received a favorable committee recommendation and now heads to the full council, where property owners could soon face tighter oversight and more direct coordination with city departments.

Arlington Heights, IL

The village board in Arlington Heights has enacted a summer ban on short-term rentals, setting a 30-day minimum stay requirement and effectively barring platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo from operating within residential neighborhoods.

While some residents supported stricter action due to quality-of-life concerns, at least one local host urged officials to pursue targeted regulation instead of a full prohibition. The board indicated it may revisit the policy if future development changes lodging demand.

Columbia, SC

The Columbia City Council has officially repealed its short-term rental moratorium, lifting the temporary freeze that was enacted last June following a fatal shooting at a downtown Airbnb.

Short-Term Rentals (STR) - Planning & Development - City of Columbia

Short-term rental (STR) regulations contained within the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), with links to Code Enforcement (STR permit program) and Business License

Planning & Development - City of Columbia

At the same meeting, council members amended the city’s development code to exempt owner-occupied short-term rentals from newly adopted location restrictions. Under prior rules, STRs in residential districts were required to be located along four-lane roads classified as major arterials, minor arterials, or collectors, but that limitation will no longer apply to owner-occupied units. The changes take effect immediately.2

Des Plaines, IL

Short-term rentals in Des Plaines could soon face new regulations as city council members directed staff to begin drafting oversight measures following neighborhood complaints.

Residents described ongoing quality-of-life concerns, prompting several aldermen to favor formal rules while others advocated banning STRs entirely from residential areas. The city currently requires annual rental licenses but does not differentiate between traditional leases and short-term stays, creating what some officials see as a regulatory gap.

Thousand Palms, CA

The Riverside County Board of Supervisors has approved a 45-day moratorium on new short-term rental certificates in Thousand Palms and B-Bar H Ranch, pausing approvals through at least April 17 while staff review enforcement gaps and potential ordinance changes.

Proposed amendments to Ordinance No. 927 under discussion include stronger nuisance abatement powers, denial of renewals after repeated violations, and higher application and renewal fees, alongside possible expansion of the county’s STR enforcement team.

Tybee Island, GA

The Tybee Island City Council is considering amendments to the short-term vacation rental (STVR) ordinance that would cap the number of STVRs in residential areas at 775, adding 118 permits and creating a waiting list for new owners, while exempting long-term owner-occupants and homestead owners from the cap.

Short Term Rentals | Tybee Island, GA

STR properties complete an application with the City, must have a tax certificate number (business license), and must comply with sign requirements contained within city code.

Home PagePowered by CivicPlus®

The proposal divides the island into four sectors to determine sector-specific caps and seeks to prevent investor-driven purchases aimed solely at rental income. Council members debated procedural concerns and homestead exemptions, with some questioning whether lowering the required rental days from 60 to 45 and exempting certain owners could undermine inspections and fairness. The recommendations will be drafted into an ordinance and reviewed by the planning commission before returning to council, with a draft expected by March 26.

📱 Social Buzz

🎤 Episode Title: VRS653 - The Authority Shift: What AI Agents Mean for STR Leaders
🎤 Episode: Vacation Rental Success

📻 Listen:https://cottageblogger.libsyn.com/vrs653-the-authority-shift-what-ai-agents-mean-for-str-leaders

👍 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.