Daily Regulatory Notes 05/15/2025
Cities address STRs. New York files lawsuit; Saratoga Springs, NY prepares enforcement; Eagle County. CO & Cleveland, OH discuss regulations; Pullman, WA approves regulation; Leoni Township, MI votes down on regulation; Chicago, IL proposes ordinance; Pittsford, NY approves law. 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. 📰
New York
New York City has filed its first lawsuit under Local Law 18 against Incentra Village House, a longtime Greenwich Village inn accused of illegally operating as a short-term rental hotel.
The city alleges the property lacked proper safety features, illegally converted its basement, and failed to comply with the 2023 law that requires STR hosts to register, reside on-site, and limit guest occupancy. The city seeks to shut down the business and impose fines of up to $5,000 per day per unregistered rental, as officials credit the new registry system with uncovering the violations.
Saratoga Springs is preparing to launch its new short-term rental registration program in early June, following city council approval of legislation aimed at bringing more oversight to the growing rental market.
The program includes a 90-day compliance period, a 150-day annual rental cap, a required local emergency contact within 50 miles, and mandatory fire inspections. Registration fees are tiered: $100 for primary residences and $750 for non-primary. A 24/7 complaint hotline will also be introduced, with officials emphasizing compliance over punishment during the rollout.
Eagle County has decided against new short-term rental regulations, instead choosing to collect updated data and let local HOAs and metro districts continue managing most STRs.
Commissioners emphasized supporting neighborhoods in creating their own rules and plan to offer resources rather than enforcement. Beaver Creek officials backed the move, noting willingness to share data and watch how recent ownership changes affect STR trends.
Genelaine Urbano
Continuation from Daily Notes 05/14/2025
After nearly two years of debate, the Pullman City Council narrowly passed new short-term rental regulations in a 4-2 vote, set to take effect June 1.
Replacing older, restrictive rules that allowed only 14 legal rentals, the new ordinance permits STRs up to duplex size in all zones and requires operators to obtain a business license, submit emergency evacuation plans, and pass building inspections. Additional rules include occupancy limits, safety requirements like smoke and CO detectors, and a $200 initial permit fee with free annual renewals.
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The Leoni Township Board of Trustees unanimously voted against adopting a proposed short-term rental ordinance, opting instead to enforce existing laws when complaints arise.
The ordinance, prompted by resident concerns over noise and trespassing at lakefront rentals, would have required permits and capped stays at 30 consecutive days. However, following the planning commission’s recommendation, trustees agreed that the current legal framework is sufficient. Trustee Ron Kinch emphasized that future enforcement will focus on investigating complaints and holding property owners—not just guests—accountable, potentially through public nuisance lawsuits.
Cleveland City Council is moving toward a comprehensive overhaul of its short-term rental regulations after mounting complaints about unruly properties including a July 2024 incident where a party of 200 teens disrupted an entire neighborhood.
The proposed legislation unveiled at the Development, Planning & Sustainability Committee, would require all STR hosts to obtain a city license and submit detailed plans covering guest capacity, parking, safety measures, tax compliance, and $300,000 in liability insurance. Hosts must cap guests at two per bedroom, follow strict safety and noise rules, and display license numbers on listings. The ordinance also limits STRs to no more than 15% of homes on any block, aiming to prevent the erosion of neighborhood character.
Chicago is moving forward with a “transparency ordinance” introduced by Ald. Bennett Lawson to rein in short-term rental platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo, especially in high-traffic areas like Wrigleyville.
The ordinance would require platforms to publicly share detailed information on listings, including addresses, host contact info, license numbers, occupancy limits, booking costs, and disciplinary history. A searchable map and quarterly ward-level reports would also be mandated.
The Village of Pittsford has approved a new law to regulate short-term rentals like Airbnbs, despite heated debate over whether such restrictions address a real issue.
Proponents argued that the law is necessary to protect the village’s historic character, housing stock, and quality of life by curbing potential problems like noise, traffic, and waste. Critics, including local STR hosts, pushed back, saying they’ve never faced complaints and that responsible hosts are being unfairly targeted. The board ultimately passed the ordinance but included a 15-month exemption for current STR operators.
In case you missed it:
Genelaine Urbano
READ: 05/15/2025 Daily Regulatory Notes
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