Daily Regulatory Notes 04/16/2026

Santa Barbara, CA

Santa Barbara's ordinance committee took up a proposal Tuesday that would largely prohibit whole home short term rentals in coastal neighborhoods like the Mesa while allowing home share rentals where the property owner remains on site.

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.

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The proposal also includes permit, inspection and insurance requirements, along with tenant protections that would bar landlords from converting units where tenants were displaced or where the unit was occupied within the last two years. After hours of divided public comment, the committee declined to take action and voted to continue the discussion at its next meeting.

Parkville, MO

Parkville has temporarily lifted its short term rental cap ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, approving seven new STR applications since relaxing its restrictions.

Short-Term Rentals

City of Parkville Missouri

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The policy change has drawn in homeowners looking to capitalize on the surge of international visitors expected in the Kansas City metro this summer. Applications remain open on the city's website for residents interested in participating.

Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville's Gateway Jax Pearl Square development received a construction permit April 14 for Block N8, a mixed use project that will include 143 short term rental units alongside 394 traditional apartments, retail, restaurant space and a gym.

Gateway Jax

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The short term units are designed to attract visitors in town for business, education and healthcare, with stays typically under 30 days and amenities like full kitchens and furnished interiors that set them apart from a conventional hotel.

Columbia Township, MI

Columbia Township is taking another run at a short term rental ordinance after residents near lake properties on roads like Maple Lane reported ongoing issues with speeding, increased traffic, noise and road damage caused by rental guests.

The 2026 draft largely mirrors the failed 2024 version but adds a 10 person occupancy maximum and limits owners to no more than two STR properties in the township, though both provisions have drawn criticism from operators managing larger homes designed for group stays. The ordinance will return to the board for further discussion after members requested clarifying language changes since it was first introduced in February.

Boston, MA

Airbnb booking data shows Dorchester as the fastest growing neighborhood in the Boston area for FIFA World Cup 2026 stays, with reservations for the June 11 through July 19 tournament window jumping 122% year over year.

Boston hosts face specific requirements under the city's STR ordinance, which limits stays to 28 days or less and restricts rentals to owner occupied primary residences that are registered with the city. To encourage more participation, Airbnb is offering new hosts in World Cup cities a $750 financial incentive, with Boston hosts projected to average earnings of $5,200 during the tournament period.

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Odessa, TX

Odessa is moving toward a November voter referendum on a 2% venue tax targeting hotel and short term rental guests, with proceeds projected at roughly $2 million per year to help fund a new sports complex and shore up the city's parks budget.

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The City Council passed a resolution to add the tax on top of the existing 7% hotel occupancy rate, with the next step being a review by the Texas Comptroller before the measure can appear on the November 3 ballot.

Jersey County, IL

Jersey County officials are considering updates to their Hotel and Motel Tax Ordinance to include short-term rentals like Airbnb and Vrbo, aligning with a new Illinois law that took effect in 2026.

Jersey County considers modifying Hotel and Motel Tax for Airbnbs

Illinois’ new rental tax law prompts Jersey County to rethink Airbnb oversight

The TelegraphSteve Whitworth

Officials say the update will help the county better track the number of rentals and ensure all operators are meeting tax obligations. The proposal also raises the possibility of introducing licensing or inspection requirements to address safety and infrastructure concerns.

Columbia Falls, MT

Columbia Falls has approved a new framework to strengthen short-term rental enforcement, opting against an owner-occupancy requirement but introducing stricter compliance measures.

Short-Term Rentals | Columbia Falls, MT

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The updated rules focus on uniform permitting, enhanced monitoring through data-tracking software, and stricter enforcement of tax collection and operational standards. New requirements include displaying permit numbers on listings, maintaining a local contact for complaints, and notifying neighbors in residential areas. The city plans to implement most changes and new fees by 2027, with officials indicating the policy will be revisited after a trial period.

Washington County, PA

Washington County is preparing to introduce software to identify unregistered short-term rentals and improve compliance with the state’s hotel occupancy tax.

Officials estimate the number of STRs could be significantly higher than current records, potentially generating substantial additional revenue for tourism funding. The initiative will require operators to register and report rental activity monthly once implemented.

Newark, DE

Newark officials are moving to formalize a strict ban on short-term rentals, aiming to close gaps in enforcement as listings continue to appear on platforms like Airbnb despite existing restrictions.

The proposed ordinance would explicitly prohibit rentals of fewer than 180 days, clarifying current rules that only allow non-transient occupancy. City leaders cite housing shortages, low vacancy rates, and neighborhood disruptions as key drivers behind the measure. If approved, the law would strengthen enforcement and allow the city to push platforms to remove non-compliant listings.

📱 Social Buzz

🎤 Episode Title: Airbnb accuses Montreal mayor of breaking promise on short-term rentals
🎤 Episode: Montreal Now with Aaron Rand Podcast

📻 Listen:https://omny.fm/shows/montreal-now/city-of-montreal-to-keep-short-term-rental-ban-in-place-for-the-grand-prix-lift-at-a-later-date

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