Daily Regulatory Notes 05/12/2026

South Carolina

South Carolina lawmakers are considering H. 3876, a proposal that would assign responsibility for collecting and paying taxes on short-term rentals, including Airbnb listings, either to booking platforms or property management companies depending on their role.

2025-2026 Bill 3876: Accommodations - South Carolina Legislature Online

South Carolina Legislature Online

The bill aims to simplify tax compliance in the STR industry by clearly defining who acts as the merchant of record, but Airbnb has pushed back, warning it could reduce participation from small hosts.

New York City, NY

Airbnb is intensifying its push to loosen New York City’s strict short-term rental rules ahead of next year’s World Cup, reportedly enlisting Rev. Al Sharpton and other Black community leaders to advocate for reforms that would allow more homeowners to rent out properties.

The company has hosted outreach events in neighborhoods including Harlem, Bedford-Stuyvesant and Jamaica, Queens, arguing that current regulations unfairly limit income opportunities for Black homeowners during major tourism events. Current city rules prohibit rentals under 30 days unless the host is present, though a proposed City Council bill would allow some single-family homeowners to offer unhosted stays and increase guest limits.

Milford, CT

Milford officials have approved a new short-term rental ordinance following a divided public debate over the impact of Airbnb- and Vrbo-style properties on residential neighborhoods.

The Board of Aldermen voted 9-6 to adopt the measure, which creates an annual licensing and registration system for STR operators along with enforcement tools tied to health and safety violations. Before final approval, aldermen amended the ordinance to remove guest information collection requirements and exempt accessory dwelling units from regulation.

Bakersfield, CA

Bakersfield officials are moving toward formally regulating short-term rentals for the first time as the Planning Commission prepares to review a proposed ordinance that would create a permitting and enforcement system for Airbnb- and Vrbo-style properties.

Airbnb, Vrbo properties in Bakersfield could face stronger regulations, new permit requirement: documents

UPDATE: The Bakersfield Planning Commission approved the proposed ordinance placing regulations on short-term rentals in Bakersfield for the first time, allowing the matter to move onto the City Co…

KGET 17 NewsSangmin Kim

Officials estimate more than 500 are already operating, prompting the city to propose annual permits, business tax certificates, occupancy limits and stricter operational rules aimed at reducing neighborhood complaints related to noise, trash and parking.

The ordinance would also require 24/7 emergency contacts, impose restrictions on STR concentrations in apartment and condo complexes, and establish standards for safety equipment, quiet hours and nuisance enforcement while allowing the city to begin collecting transient occupancy taxes.

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Houston, TX

Residents in Houston’s Third Ward are calling for stricter short-term rental enforcement after a shooting broke out during an early morning house party at a registered STR property.

Surveillance footage showed multiple individuals firing guns while dozens fled the scene, leaving three people injured, though all are expected to survive. City officials responded that recent STR regulations allow for penalties up to license revocation and emphasized enforcement tools intended to ensure compliance and address problematic properties.

Fair Haven, NY

Residents in Fair Haven raised concerns during a public hearing Monday over a proposed short-term rental ordinance that would require operators to obtain permits and pay application fees in order to legally rent properties through platforms like Airbnb.

Village officials said the measure is intended to balance public health and safety concerns with the economic interests of property owners and businesses, but several residents argued the proposal could negatively affect a community that relies heavily on seasonal tourism. Speakers defended short-term rentals as an important source of income for homeowners while also supporting local shops, restaurants and the broader village economy.

St. Charles County, MO

St. Charles County officials are considering a draft ordinance that would impose new restrictions on short-term rentals in unincorporated areas, including a 600-foot spacing requirement between rentals, annual licensing fees and mandatory local contacts available to respond to complaints.

The proposal, aimed primarily at whole-home Airbnb and Vrbo listings, was introduced to county council members ahead of a May 11 meeting and could move into committee review and public hearings before a final vote. If approved, the ordinance would align the county more closely with nearby jurisdictions already using permit systems, inspections and spacing caps to manage STR growth.

Hanford, CA

A proposed increase to Hanford’s Transient Occupancy Tax is heading to voters on June 2, with Measure T seeking to raise the tax on hotels and short-term rentals from 8% to 12%.

Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Ballot Measure | Hanford, CA

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City officials say the current rate has remained unchanged for more than four decades and argue the increase would bring Hanford in line with surrounding California cities that already impose higher lodging taxes. The city estimates the measure could generate roughly $375,000 in new annual revenue for local services, while discussions around the proposal also drew attention to the limited tax revenue currently being collected from short-term rentals despite Airbnb’s reported economic impact in the region.

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Daily Regulatory Notes 05/11/2026

Cities address STRs. Florida approves awareness training program; Goleta, CA advances ordinance; Nevada City, NM prepares ballot measure; Bernalillo County, NM continues legal discussions; Mountainside, NJ introduces new ordinance; Chatham County, GA; Kingston, NY. READ MORE.

STRisker - Short-term rental and data center regulationsGenelaine Urbano

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