Daily Regulatory Notes 05/01/2025
Cities address STRs. St. Louis, MO pauses ordinance; Bastrop, TX implements ordinance; Alameda, CA reviews proposal; South Windsor, CT explores regulations; Waterbury, VT launches online rental registry. 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. 📰
St. Louis has paused its short-term rental ordinance after a lawsuit from a host claimed the law violates Missouri’s constitution.
The ordinance which includes inspections and licensing for STRs was set to be enforced May 6, but many hosts struggled to get through the unclear and overwhelmed process. Mayor Cara Spencer cited a court ruling as reason for the delay. A judge has halted enforcement until at least May 5.
```Bastrop has implemented its first short-term rental registration ordinance requiring all STRs within city limits to register annually, verify hotel occupancy tax (HOT) payments, and meet safety standards.
The $25 fee is far lower than in nearby cities like Austin. Officials say the goal is to preserve Bastrop’s small-town charm while educating STR owners and protecting the community. Violations could result in fines up to $500.
Read the full ordinance here
Alameda’s Planning Board held a workshop April 28 to review staff proposals for regulating short-term rentals (STRs) under 30 days.
Read the full ordinance here.
Public comments and board discussion favored allowing full-time “hosted” STRs—where owners live on-site—but supported a 90-day annual cap for “semi-hosted” and “unhosted” STRs to protect housing stock. A draft ordinance is expected this summer, with council review in the fall.
Connecticut is exploring potential short-term rental regulations with proposals for annual registration, inspections, and new taxes. Although many towns still have no rules on STRs, municipalities like South Windsor have limited bans in place.
State lawmakers may soon require STR operators to register with the Department of Revenue Services and permit local governments to levy additional taxes.
Waterbury launched a new online rental registry this month requiring all residential rental properties—including short-term rentals—to be registered with the town by May 1.
Though enforcement is on hold for now, the system aims to gather clear data on both short- and long-term rental housing in response to limited existing information. The registry also ensures local contact info is available for nuisance concerns—already proving useful with one STR-related issue involving a bear. \
In case you missed it:
Genelaine Urbano
READ: 04/30/2025 Daily Regulatory Notes
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Dane Artisola
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