Daily Regulatory Notes 04/30/2025
Cities address STRs. Louisiana advances bills; Ocean City, MD reviews ordinance; Southwick, MA repeals bylaw; Milton, DE revisits proposed regulations; Glen Ellyn, IL tightens rules. 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. 📰
Louisiana
Louisiana lawmakers are advancing several bills aimed at tightening short-term rental rules amid mounting enforcement failures in New Orleans.
HB 469 would give cities clearer power to regulate rentals via permits and safety rules, while SB 225 allows neighbors or nonprofits to sue operators of unlicensed short-term rentals—even in towns without STR laws. Another bill would raise the STR occupancy tax cap in New Orleans from 6.75% to 10%, potentially boosting city infrastructure funding.
Ocean City’s short-term rental ordinance for single-family and mobile home districts may be headed for a public vote after a petition seeking a referendum surpassed 1,300 signatures.
The ordinance, passed earlier this year, restricts rentals in the R-1 and M-H zones to a minimum five-night stay. With the signatures now submitted, the city’s Board of Elections will determine their validity, possibly during its upcoming meeting in early May. Until a vote is held, the ordinance remains in effect—but if an election doesn’t take place within 60 days of April 21, enforcement must pause beginning June 21.
In Southwick, Massachusetts, the town’s recently adopted short-term rental bylaw is now facing repeal efforts led by a local resident who argues it does more harm than good.
Timothy Foster, a resident of Miller Road, filed a citizens’ petition last week to put the issue on the May Town Meeting warrant, asserting that the bylaw has failed to protect neighborhood safety and quality of life. Despite the town's effort to enforce the bylaw by sending cease-and-desist letters and requiring registration by April 1 with a $250 fee, Foster says the policy has been poorly administered and ultimately undermines community safety. The bylaw remains in effect unless Town Meeting votes to repeal it.
Milton Town Council has asked its planning and zoning commission to revisit and expand its proposed short-term rental regulations after reviewing a draft report based largely on Lewes’ policies.
The current proposal defines STRs as rentals under 30 days, limits occupancy to two people per bedroom, requires 24/7 local contact, bans events, and allows license revocation after three violations. However, council members want more clarity on how to prevent STR clustering downtown, address long-term rentals, and cover administrative costs. The next commission discussion is expected May 20.
Glen Ellyn has joined other DuPage County towns in tightening short-term rental rules, banning stays of 30 days or less after resident complaints about noise, trash, and overcrowded parking.
The new ordinance—effective May 14—exempts hotels but targets Airbnb- and Vrbo-style rentals, with fines starting at $1,000 for violations. Preexisting bookings are temporarily exempt.
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