Daily Regulatory Notes 03/18/2026

Decatur, AL

Decatur has adopted a new regulatory framework for short-term rentals, with applications for operating certificates opening April 1.

Short-Term Rental Certificate Applications Open April 1 in Decatur - City of Decatur, Alabama

The City of Opportunity

City of Decatur, Alabama

The ordinance covers rentals lasting fewer than 30 days and applies to both whole-home rentals and rooms within occupied residences. Requirements include safety inspections, off-street parking standards, and a local contact who can respond to complaints within one hour. The city will also limit approvals to 150 short-term rentals per year in residential zones, while giving existing operators a 90-day period to meet the new rules.

New York City, NY

Business and tourism leaders are calling on officials in New York City to temporarily ease short-term rental restrictions ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and other major summer events.

Registration Law - OSE

Office of Special Enforcement

Groups including the Partnership for New York City say the city’s 2023 short-term rental law—which requires hosts to register and remain in the unit during stays under 30 days—has drastically reduced available listings and could limit accommodation options for visitors. They propose suspending the rules from June 1 through July 31 to expand lodging capacity and capture tourism spending. However, hotel industry representatives argue the claims are exaggerated and say hotel availability will be sufficient during the events.

Blue Springs, MO

The Blue Springs City Council approved a new ordinance requiring short-term rental hosts to register annually with the city, with the rules taking effect immediately.

Hosts must provide a local contact, follow noise and parking regulations, collect the city’s hotel tax, and display a city registration number on all listings, with violations carrying fines of up to $500 and possible revocation of registration. The changes come as the area prepares for increased visitor demand during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Some hosts say they are already preparing for the expected influx of visitors.

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Newport, RI

The Newport City Council voted to send a package of proposed short-term rental restrictions back to a workshop, delaying a final decision after councilors debated whether the changes would effectively ban rentals in residential areas.

The proposals—discussed across numerous public meetings since 2023—would tighten rules on where short-term rentals can operate, but some officials argued the issue requires further review. No workshop date has been set, leaving the future of the regulations uncertain.

Johnson County, KS

The Johnson County Board of County Commissioners has approved new regulations for short-term rentals in unincorporated areas, set to take effect April 1 ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The rules require a $150 annual permit, a 24/7 local contact, and compliance with standards on parking, trash, guest limits, and quiet hours, while prohibiting large gatherings. The policy establishes formal oversight where county zoning rules previously did not address short-term rentals. Enforcement will be complaint-based, allowing residents to report issues through the county’s code enforcement system.

Sarasota, FL

Sarasota has amended its short-term rental ordinance to cover the Downtown Neighborhood Zone after discovering the area had been unintentionally excluded from earlier regulations.

Vacation Rental Registration and Compliance

The City of Sarasota allows for short-term vacation rentals within Residential Zoning Districts throughout City limits. Additional requirements for registration apply to qualifying vacation rentals citywide.

City of Sarasota

The change brings additional properties under the city’s registration and compliance system, even as officials noted relatively few complaints to date. Commissioners also raised concerns about the program’s financial sustainability, with enforcement costs outpacing revenue. Staff have been directed to explore updates such as tiered fees and stronger penalties for repeat violations.

Alpena, MI

Officials in Alpena are considering a proposed moratorium on new short-term rental registrations as the city studies long-term policy options.

Existing registered rentals would be allowed to continue operating during the pause, while a subcommittee reviews community feedback, housing data, and regulatory approaches from other jurisdictions. Survey results show strong support for limits, permitting, and inspections, alongside concerns about housing availability.

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