Daily Regulatory Notes 05/21/2025
Cities address STRs. Penn Yan, NY discusses Local Law D; Newport, RI advances resolution; Basalt, CO approves fee; Nantucket, MA votes down on proposed bylaw; Ocean City, NJ reveals results of petition; Murfreesboro, TN explores regulation. 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. 📰
The Penn Yan Village Board held a public hearing Tuesday evening on a proposed local law that would establish routine fire safety and property inspections for short-term rental units throughout the village.
READ: Proposed Local Law D
The proposal—Local Law D—was aimed at increasing oversight of vacation and temporary rental properties by requiring regular checks to ensure they met safety standards.
On May 14, Newport’s City Council narrowly voted to advance a resolution that would ban all new non-owner-occupied short-term rentals responding to widespread concerns about affordability and the erosion of year-round housing.
With a 4-3 split, the Council instructed city administration and legal staff to draft ordinance changes and implementation plans by the next regular meeting. The resolution links STR growth to worsening parking problems and warns that a new Rhode Island law enabling the conversion of commercial buildings to housing could be misused for more non-owner-occupied rentals.
In a narrow 4-3 vote, Basalt Town Council approved a significant new fee on short-term rentals imposing a $2,535 per-bedroom annual charge starting June 5 in addition to existing licensing fees.
The measure exempts primary residents who rent their homes for fewer than 60 days a year, aiming to target more commercial STR operations rather than casual hosts. Legal pushback has already begun, with a Boulder-based firm arguing the fee constitutes an illegal tax and could violate Colorado’s Taxpayer Bill of Rights and anti-rent control laws.
After months of debate, the Nantucket Board of Health is backing off a proposed bylaw that would have regulated large gatherings at short-term rentals, citing serious concerns over enforcement.
The draft introduced in February would have required permits for events and allowed strict conditions on noise, alcohol, parking, and guest limits. But officials now say the Health Department lacks the resources to manage such oversight, with both board members and Health Director Rocky Miramontes calling the plan unworkable.
The board voted to close the public hearing without taking action, opting instead for a joint meeting with the Select Board next month to review enforcement of existing STR rules.
WATCH: STR Walk-through Registration Tutorial
At Monday night’s meeting, Ocean City officials revealed the results of a petition challenging a recently passed ordinance that bans short-term rentals in neighborhoods zoned for single-family homes and mobile homes.
The ordinance, approved on March 3, set a 31-day minimum rental period in R1 and MH zones starting in 2027, effectively ending Airbnb-style rentals in those areas. It followed years of resident complaints about noise and disruptive guests in traditionally quiet residential areas. The petition, submitted in April, contained significantly more signatures than required—exceeding the 40% threshold of registered voters from the last election—but had to be vetted for validity by the Board of Supervisors of Election on May 9 before being officially certified.
Murfreesboro’s City Council has begun exploring short-term rental regulations, with city leaders signaling early concerns about the pace of STR growth and its potential impact on public safety and city finances.
During a May 8 meeting, Assistant City Attorney Joseph Leonard outlined preliminary options for regulating STRs, emphasizing the dual goals of minimizing nuisances in residential neighborhoods and recapturing lost tax revenue.
In case you missed it:
Genelaine Urbano
READ: 05/20/2025 Daily Regulatory Notes
⭐ Staying ahead of STR regulations isn’t just about deadlines—it’s about knowing what’s coming. Check out the Calendar Tracker to stay updated on your area's meetings or workshops.
STRisker Calendar Tracker
Staying ahead of STR regulations isn’t just about deadlines—it’s about knowing what’s coming. Our Calendar Tracker keeps you informed on upcoming meetings, key votes, and policy changes, so you never miss a critical update.
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