Daily Regulatory Notes 05/06/2025
STR updates today: Mendocino County, CA considering new regulations; Seaside Heights, NJ starts collecting 3% STR tax; Grand Haven, MI considers STRs in Centertown overlay district. East Drumore Township, PA adopts zoning amendments. 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. 📰
Mendocino County wrapped up its series of five public meetings on inland short-term rental regulations this week, finishing in Ukiah with in-person and remote participation.
Concerns included road safety, enforcement capacity, and insurance gaps, while several retirees and hosts emphasized the economic value of flexible rentals. With about 110 survey responses collected so far, planners will now compile findings and develop ordinance recommendations for the Board of Supervisors.
Seaside Heights plans to begin collecting its 3% short-term rental tax this summer with help from the New Jersey Department of Taxation, marking the first real enforcement effort since the ordinance was passed in 2023.
As traditional motels disappear in favor of short-term rentals on platforms like Airbnb and VRBO, officials are shifting focus to ensure these newer accommodations contribute the same local tax long imposed on hotels. Under the upcoming system, the state will instruct digital booking services to collect the tax at checkout and send the funds to the borough.
Grand Haven city officials hosted a special joint meeting between the Planning Commission and the Main Street DDA to consider allowing short-term rentals by right in the Centertown overlay district, a commercially zoned area near downtown currently off-limits to STRs.
City planner Brian Urquhart emphasized the effort to balance tourism needs with the city’s housing shortage, noting that Centertown’s existing zoning and 2014 Vision Plan for a more vibrant commercial corridor may align with expanded rental use. No decisions were made, but officials plan to collect more input before any Planning Commission vote.
At their May 1 meeting, East Drumore Township supervisors unanimously adopted zoning amendments that officially define and regulate short-term rentals, effectively replacing the term "bed-and-breakfast" with a broader STR designation.
Read the full ordinance here.
Under the new rules, any single-family residence rented for 30 days or less now qualifies as a short-term rental, including properties previously operated as B&Bs. Operators must meet safety requirements like smoke detectors and floor-plan signage, limit occupancy to two guests per bedroom, and ensure renters are at least 21. Owners must also post contact details, be reachable within 15 miles, and pass a zoning inspection before receiving a permit. A special exception and proof of registration with the county for hotel tax collection are now required, with inspections every three years to maintain compliance.
In case you missed it:
Genelaine Urbano
READ: 05/05/2025 Daily Regulatory Notes
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