Daily Regulatory Notes 04/23/2025
Cities address STRs. Washington rejects bill; Puerto Rico revisits regulations; Park Township, MI postpones final ruling; Summit County, CO discusses lawsuit; Ocean City, MD launches petition; Maui, HI advances plan. READ MORE.
Every day, we bring you a detailed overview of recent news and updates about primary decisions, community feedback, or legislative changes relevant to the short-term rental industry. 📰
Washington
Washington state lawmakers failed to advance a proposed 4% local-option tax on short-term rentals before the April 16 cutoff, leaving Senate Bill 5576 dead for the session — though supporters say it will return next year.
The bill, which passed the Senate and two House committees, would have allowed counties and cities to tax Airbnb- and Vrbo-style rentals to fund affordable housing. Amendments scaled it back from a 6% statewide tax and created exemptions for resort communities.
The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Liz Lovelett, said short-term rentals have worsened housing issues in her district and plans to reintroduce the bill in the next session.
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico lawmakers took another step toward regulating short-term rentals with an April 9 public hearing on Senate Bill 238, which proposes a unified municipal registry and license framework across the island.
The hearing featured testimony from stakeholders including Airbnb, the Puerto Rico Tourism Co., and Viva Puerto Rico Short-Term Rental Alliance, which supported a standardized system to reduce bureaucracy and promote fairness. SB 238 follows last year’s failed House Bill 1557, marking ongoing efforts to regulate an industry that continues to grow significantly across Puerto Rico.
Park Township’s Zoning Board of Appeals met April 21 but postponed a final ruling on whether to grandfather existing short-term rentals, with members signaling opposition that could lead to renewed litigation.
The case stems from a 2023 lawsuit filed by Park Township Neighbors, a group representing over 100 STR owners, who argue the town. The ZBA reviewed whether STRs were ever permitted under past ordinances and largely agreed they aligned more with prohibited “tourist homes” or motels, not single-family dwellings. A formal resolution is expected May 5. If denied, property owners plan to refile their suit in circuit court.
```⭐ Staying ahead of STR regulations isn’t just about deadlines—it’s about knowing what’s coming. Check out the Calendar Tracker to stay updated on your area's meetings or workshops.
STRisker Calendar Tracker
Staying ahead of STR regulations isn’t just about deadlines—it’s about knowing what’s coming. Our Calendar Tracker keeps you informed on upcoming meetings, key votes, and policy changes, so you never miss a critical update.
Summit County’s lawsuit over short-term rental restrictions will move forward under a new judge after Reed Owens recused himself, citing potential bias due to his wife’s role as Breckenridge’s mayor.
The plaintiffs, a homeowners group, allege the county’s STR caps and regulations violate state constitutional property rights and threaten owners’ livelihoods. A similar federal suit was previously dismissed. A new judge had not yet been selected.
Ocean City residents pushed back against the Town Council’s March decision to ban short-term rentals in R1 Single Family and Mobile Home Residential zones by launching a petition for a referendum.
The ban prompted renters and property owners to rally support, collecting over 1,300 signatures—well above the 950 needed for town consideration. The petition marked the first formal step in residents’ efforts to restore their ability to operate short-term rentals in affected areas.
Maui’s mayor moved forward with a controversial plan to phase out short-term rentals as a solution to the island’s growing housing crisis.
In the wake of the devastating 2023 wildfires that destroyed more than 2,000 structures, Mayor Richard Bissen proposed the elimination of transient vacation rentals to open up long-term housing opportunities. A new University of Hawaii study added nuance, suggesting that while removing STRs could improve affordability—especially if combined with homeownership support and new workforce housing—it would also lead to economic downsides.
In case you missed it:
Genelaine Urbano
READ: 04/22/25 Daily Regulatory Notes
🏫READ: STRisker's Government
Dane Artisola