Daily Regulatory Notes 03/05/2026

Faribault, MN

The Faribault City Council approved a new ordinance establishing a regulatory program for short-term rentals after months of discussion, allowing the city to begin collecting lodging taxes from those properties while also requiring inspections to address life-safety standards.

Rental Inspections Program | Faribault, MN

All residential rental properties are required to be registered and inspected by the City of Faribault.

An image of the City of Faribault logoGovernment Websites by CivicPlus®

City officials said the framework focuses on ensuring tax compliance and basic safety oversight similar to other rental properties. While the ordinance formally creates the program, key enforcement details such as permit fees was discussed at a March 3 work session and could be finalized through a fee schedule amendment on March 10.

Santa Barbara, CA

Santa Barbara officials are considering new regulations for short-term vacation rentals and homeshares, with the Planning Commission scheduled to review the draft ordinances on March 5, 2026.

Short-Term Rental Ordinance

Housing Element Program HE-19 The 2023-2031 Housing Element, Housing Element Program HE-19, directs the City of Santa Barbara to develop a short-term rental (STR) ordinance to regulate the location and permitting of vacation rentals to incentivize long-term housing over transitory use.

City of Santa BarbaraCommunity Development

The proposed chapters to the Inland and Coastal Zoning Ordinances create a licensing framework and operational standards for rentals of entire units and partial residences, aiming to prioritize long-term housing under the City’s 2023–2031 Housing Element.

Public input will be accepted during the hearing, and materials including draft ordinances and license area maps will be available online one week prior.

Smithfield, VA

Town officials in Smithfield reported that short-term rentals remain limited compared with similar Virginia communities, with only nine registered properties operating under the town’s 2020 ordinance that allows rentals up to 104 nights annually without council approval.

How many is too many? Smithfield has fewer short-term rentals than sma...

Despite local worries, data shows Smithfield has far fewer short-term rentals than smaller Virginia towns.

Smithfield TimesStephen Faleski

Tourism staff told council members that the current total represents roughly 0.1% of the population and suggested a potential cap of 0.5%, which would permit about 33 additional rentals while keeping the town well below regional benchmarks. Some council members expressed concern that even a small increase could concentrate rentals in sensitive areas like the historic district.

Green Bay, WI

The city council in Green Bay votes to adopt updated short-term rental rules aimed at clarifying regulations and improving enforcement after months of collaboration with local property owners and community members.

The ordinance focuses on reducing nuisance complaints by creating clearer accountability pathways, including ensuring neighbors have access to contact information if problems occur at nearby rentals, as the city currently counts 456 short-term rental properties. Earlier proposals that would have required a six-night minimum stay and limited rentals to 180 days annually were removed from the final measure following strong pushback from hosts.

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Cleveland, OH

City leaders in Cleveland are moving forward with discussions on a proposed ordinance that would introduce licensing and regulatory requirements for short-term rentals operating through platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo.

The measure would require operators to obtain city licenses, pay a 3% bed tax, comply with safety standards like fire extinguishers and liability insurance, and adhere to local noise rules, while giving the city authority to fine or revoke licenses for noncompliance. It also proposes limits on the concentration of rentals within individual blocks or buildings.

Folly Beach, SC

A legal challenge to short-term rental limits in Folly Beach suffers a setback after the state Court of Appeals upholds a voter-approved ordinance capping the number of rental licenses at 800.

Property owners argue the restriction effectively changes zoning and strips them of the ability to rent a property built for short-term use, but the court rules the measure only regulates business licenses and does not alter zoning or land-use rights. The 2023 referendum, supported by a majority of voters, continues to restrict permits primarily for second homes, leaving about 200 properties on a waiting list for licenses.

Portland, OR

The ombudsman in Portland is calling for reforms to the city’s short-term rental enforcement approach, saying current penalties for first-time violations are far higher than those in comparable cities.

Accessory Short-Term Rental Permits (ASTR) - Read Before You Apply

Learn how to apply for and operate an accessory short-term rental (ASTR).

Portland.gov

The report comes after complaints from operators who faced significant fines as the city increased enforcement following years of challenges with unlicensed rentals and data-sharing disputes with platforms like Airbnb. Officials have already capped fines for first-time offenders at $27,513 and retroactively dismissed roughly $365,000 in penalties for several hosts.

Anchorage, AK

The Anchorage Assembly has approved a short-term rental registration ordinance requiring all units offered for fewer than 30 days to submit detailed information by August 1, with penalties for non-compliance set at $75 per violation.

The new rule closes a gap in residential zoning regulations, modernizes a prior bed-and-breakfast permit, and aims to give city officials better insight into the location, density, and usage of short-term rentals across neighborhoods. Officials stress that the registration process is simple, with input from platforms like Airbnb, and will help inform housing and planning decisions as Anchorage pursues goals like building 10,000 new dwellings.

Norton Shores, MI

The Norton Shores City Council has approved its first ordinance regulating short-term rentals, establishing rules for registration, spacing, fees, and enforcement.

The measure caps the city at 80 STRs, limits each licensee to three properties, and includes a 500-foot separation requirement, with a sub-overlay district near Mona Vista, Recreation Park, and Mona Beach exempted from spacing rules. Applicants must pay a $2,000 annual registration fee, hold a business license, maintain $2 million in liability insurance, and designate a local contact within one hour of the property, while city staff will review applications in batch, similar to liquor licenses.

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