Daily Regulatory Notes 05/08/2025
Cities address STRs. Houston, TX revisits ordinance; Sandwich, MA postpones proposal; Claremont, CA approves first reading. 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. 📰
Houston’s new short-term rental ordinance approved in April will take effect on January 1, 2026, giving operators time to comply. The ordinance requires STRs, defined as units rented for less than 30 consecutive days, to register with the city, with applications opening on August 1.
Read the full ordinance here.
The $275 initial registration fee and $275 annual renewal cover compliance with noise rules, fire codes, and hotel occupancy taxes, alongside a requirement for 24-hour emergency contacts and human trafficking awareness training. STRs cannot be advertised as event spaces, and platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo must delist non-compliant properties within 10 days of notice. Violations, including operating without a valid certificate, carry daily fines ranging from $100 to $500.
Voters at Monday’s town meeting in Sandwich opted to indefinitely postpone a contentious short-term rental proposal after extensive debate over regulations concerning parking, septic systems, trash pickup, and maximum occupancy.
The measure known as Article 19 drew significant community feedback with some residents pushing for tighter controls, while others argued for more flexible rules to support property owners and tourism. Despite the proposal’s indefinite postponement, the meeting proceeded with decisions on other zoning matters, including the successful passage of Articles 17 and 18, which align local accessory dwelling unit (ADU) bylaws with the state’s Affordable Homes Act of 2024.
On April 22, the Claremont City Council approved the first reading of a temporary ordinance to regulate short-term rentals, passing 4-1 with Council member Jed Leano dissenting.
Read the full ordinance here.
The ordinance which would take effect 30 days after a second reading on May 13 defines short-term rentals as residential dwellings rented for less than 30 days, excluding hotels and similar businesses. It includes specific rules for homesharing, requiring owners to live on-site during guest stays, and sets a cap of 100 total permits (20 per district) with an initial fee of $704 plus an $84 inspection charge, though these amounts may change.
It also prohibits evictions to convert long-term rentals into short-term use, limits overnight occupancy to eight, mandates one on-site parking space per bedroom, and bans commercial or social events. Violators would face escalating fines, starting at $100 and reaching $500 for repeated offenses, along with possible permit suspensions.
```In case you missed it:
Genelaine Urbano
READ: Global Regulatory Notes (8)
Genelaine Urbano
READ: 05/07/2025 Daily Regulatory Notes
⭐ Catch the details and latest updates about your local areas using STRisker's News Tracker.
STRisker News Tracker
Trying to keep up with STR regulations across multiple cities and states? Our News Tracker makes it easier than ever. Filter by location, search a comprehensive database, and sort by impact level—this tool helps you focus on what matters most.
👍 We’d love your feedback.
Which stories hit? Which ones missed?
We're constantly refining Daily Notes to make it even more useful for you.
✉️ Just reply directly to this email. We read and respond to every message!
-Will McClure
🙋 P.S.
Know someone else who should be reading Daily Notes? Feel free to forward this along. We’re opening a few more spots.