Daily Regulatory Notes 03/23/2026
Cities address STRS. Yachats, OR approves updates; Charlottesville, VA reviews proposal; Lead, SD strengthens enforcement; Allendale Township, MI weighs new zoning rules; Akron, OH delays action on ordinance; Alpena, MI; Baytown, TX; Nashville, TN; Athens, GA; Lincoln, RI. READ MORE.
The Yachats City Council has unanimously approved updates to its vacation rental license code, finalizing months of discussion focused on balancing tourism and neighborhood character.
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A key clarification confirms that licenses do not automatically transfer upon sale or inheritance, but a new “future planning” pathway allows owners to add heirs to deeds and apply for a joint license to maintain continuity. The updated policy also reinforces limits, including the city’s cap of 125 licenses and a requirement that properties be connected to city water and sewer systems.
Charlottesville’s Planning Commission is set to review proposed changes to the city’s homestay ordinance, including requiring property owners to submit a compliance affidavit, increasing permit fees to $500 for a three-year period, and reducing the annual rental cap to 90 nights for properties in residential zones.
The discussion comes as part of a broader work session on March 24. While no formal vote is scheduled yet, the proposed updates indicate a shift toward stricter enforcement and clearer accountability for hosts.
Lead city officials are moving to strengthen enforcement of short-term rental rules after approving the first reading of an ordinance that introduces a complaint-based penalty system for licensed operators.
Under the proposal, properties will be allowed up to three verified complaints within a 12-month license period—covering issues like noise, trash, parking, and disorderly conduct—before facing possible license suspension or revocation at the discretion of the city commission. Owners will be notified after each violation and required to appear before the commission after a third complaint, with the option to appeal decisions in court. The measure, which addresses a gap in the city’s 2022 STR framework, is expected to be finalized on April 6 and would take effect 20 days after publication.
Allendale Township is weighing new zoning rules that would formally allow short-term rentals but cap them at 50 units across the community.
The proposal would permit STRs in agricultural and residential districts with standards covering occupancy, parking, noise, trash, and a formal complaint process, alongside required health department approval. The Board of Trustees is set to consider adoption at its March 23 meeting following an earlier first reading, with additional review required before final approval.
March 23, 2026 Board Packet
New Franklin’s City Council once again delayed action on a proposed short-term rental ordinance at its March 4 meeting, as debate continues over whether to include a 300-foot spacing rule between STR units.
Councilman Devin Allman emphasized a conduct-based approach aimed at targeting nuisance behavior without adding what he considers unnecessary regulations, while other council members and residents argued that the spacing requirement would proactively prevent issues such as clustered STRs creating neighborhood disturbances. The draft ordinance also addresses title transfers and owners with prior criminal convictions but remains six pages long with numerous rules.
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Alpena city officials have approved a temporary one-year moratorium on new short-term rentals as they respond to an ongoing housing shortage, with vacancy rates for rentals and for-sale homes far below healthy levels.
The pause does not affect the city’s 56 currently registered STRs but gives a newly formed subcommittee time to evaluate long-term regulatory options, including the possibility of capping units. The moratorium will remain in place until a final regulatory approach is determined or the one-year period expires.
Baytown’s Planning and Zoning Commission has rejected proposed short-term rental regulations, with members voting against rules that would have allowed STRs in residential zones under a structured permitting system with inspections, occupancy caps, parking requirements, and hotel taxes.
Commissioners raised concerns about overregulation and questioned whether the city could realistically enforce the rules, despite staff noting the proposal was developed in response to resident complaints. With roughly 88 STRs already operating, officials acknowledged ongoing activity but pushed back on expanding formal controls.
As Nashville’s short-term rental market tightens under stricter regulations and declining returns, The Costigan Group has introduced a pre-acquisition screening framework designed to help investors navigate zoning restrictions and avoid costly missteps.
The system prioritizes zoning verification—critical in a market where non-owner-occupied STRs are limited to specific districts—before evaluating property layout, location competitiveness, and realistic revenue projections.
Athens-Clarke County is moving forward with its short-term rental regulations adopted in 2024, with enforcement now focused on phasing out non-compliant properties ahead of a March 2027 deadline tied to the ordinance’s sunset provision.
Recent decisions to deny special-use permits for commercial STRs reflect the commission’s priority to limit investor-driven rentals while continuing to support owner-occupied units as a source of supplemental income.
Lincoln’s strict short-term rental ordinance is expected to limit local hosting opportunities during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as the town continues to prohibit STRs in residential zones and allows them only in commercial and industrial districts.
Despite the anticipated surge of visitors attending matches at Gillette Stadium, officials indicate there are no plans to revise or temporarily ease the rules. The ordinance, adopted in 2024, also did not grandfather in previously operating STRs, further reducing supply. As a result, Lincoln is likely to see minimal participation in accommodating World Cup demand.
📱 Social Buzz
🎤 Episode Title: Common Listing Fixes to Get More Midterm Rental Bookings
🎤 Episode: The Mid-Term Rental Show
📻 Listen:https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bailey-kramer/episodes/Common-Listing-Fixes-to-Get-More-Midterm-Rental-Bookings-e3gn11s
🎤 Episode Title: The “Boring” Rental Strategy That Could Retire You by Your 40s (Rookie Reply)
🎤 Episode: Real Estate Rookie
Lakewood Colorado is circulating a ballot that allows voters to vote "YES we like Lakewood". Keep it suburban. Home ownership is right next to sanity.
— Caveat Suffragator (@GgrandpaDavis) March 21, 2026
We don't need the zoning changes that were invented for us. A "NO" vote means you are FOR high rise projects slums / tenament…
Idaho looks at looser rules on rentalshttps://t.co/5ffP8QlE9m
— Paul Anderson (@BoiseLender) March 21, 2026
Curious about Idaho’s latest rental rules? 🏠 Lawmakers debated new bills on short-term rentals—one for fewer ...
BIG news for Short Term Rentals in DC! 🏠 Mayor Bowser's proposal:
— CHARLES BLAIR | The Mad Scientist (@madscientistcb) March 21, 2026
• Renters can host STRs
• Special event licenses
• License 2nd property (90 nights/year)
Comment for more real estate news! 💬#RealEstate #STR #WashingtonDC pic.twitter.com/qiBi0hPd1r
L.A. already has about 9,000 short-term rentals (STRs). Even at this scale, renters are paying the price. Now, @airbnb is lobbying to expand the Vacation Rental Ordinance (VRO) and allow up to 31,000 additional units to be converted into STRs! 🚨 https://t.co/Q3RMPW7hFD pic.twitter.com/7dVnG6zF26
— Strategic Actions for a Just Economy (@SAJE_ShiftPower) March 20, 2026
Greenville Co. Council explores rules for short-term rentalshttps://t.co/YqwtVD3dCZ
— Lisa Doria (@DoriaLisa79639) March 20, 2026
Did you know short-term rentals in Greenville County bring in $25M a year? 🏡💰 As new ...
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