Daily Regulatory Notes 06/03/2025
Cities address STRs. Jacksonville Beach, FL urges city leaders; Orlando, FL revisits enforcement; Oneida, TN implements lodging tax; Middletown, RI revises ordinance; Pittsfield, MI proposes draft; Patton Township, PA approves regulation; Mayfield Heights, OH passes ordinance. 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. 📰
Jacksonville Beach residents are urging city leaders to take action on the growing number of short-term rentals that they say are overwhelming neighborhoods with constant turnover, disruptive guests, and safety concerns.
Their push comes after Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed a statewide vacation rental regulation bill, leaving local governments with limited authority. Neighbors near STR properties report noise, drug use, and even a fatal shooting, yet city officials say their hands are tied due to state constraints.
In Orlando, the city has tried to strike a middle ground with its 2018 short-term rental ordinance—but enforcement remains a concern.
Under current rules, only half a dwelling can be rented, and a full-time resident must live on-site. One Thornton Park resident says absentee-owned STRs effectively commercialize residential zones, increasing nuisance complaints and housing costs. While vacation rentals provide hosts with average incomes of $27,000 annually, they’re also cited as contributing to Orlando’s affordable housing crisis.
Short-term rental hosts in Oneida, Tennessee will now need to collect a new 4% lodging tax from their guests, following the town’s decision to implement a hotel-motel tax aimed at funding local tourism development.
The tax applies to stays of less than 30 days, including STRs like Airbnb and VRBO, and adds to an already complex tax structure: 7% state sales tax, 2.5% local option sales tax, and 5% Scott County occupancy tax, bringing the total lodging tax rate in Oneida to 18.75%.
Middletown’s revised short-term rental ordinances—requiring owner occupancy and capping guest numbers—are beginning to show impact, as evidenced by two recent Zoning Board approvals.
Government Websites by CivicPlus®
On May 27, Georgina Macdonald’s application to operate an owner-occupied rental at 342 Boulevard Ave. was approved unanimously, a success made possible by last October’s rule changes. A second application, for a rental at 12 Harvey Road, was also approved without objection after the applicants and neighboring property trustees reached prior agreements.
Pittsfield Township may soon begin drafting short-term rental regulations following strong community feedback during a recent town hall.
Government Websites by CivicPlus®
Check out the STR Forum and Summary here.
About 75 residents, largely from the Hickory Hollow neighborhood, voiced growing concerns—particularly about non-owner-occupied STRs hosting events like weddings and large parties. Township Supervisor Trish Reilly said the meeting offered a range of perspectives, from renters to nearby homeowners, and confirmed officials are considering separate rules for owner- and non-owner-occupied properties.
Patton Township in Centre County has approved new regulations for short-term rentals in response to growing concerns about neighborhood safety and the loss of housing stock for permanent residents.
Read the full ordinance here.
The updated ordinance now requires a permit for any rental of fewer than seven days, targeting common events like football weekends. Property owners must pass safety inspections and are subject to a point-based violation system — with repeat infractions potentially leading to a one-year permit suspension. The ordinance takes effect Sunday, making Patton one of several Centre Region municipalities tightening control.
Mayfield Heights took a decisive step toward short-term rental regulation this week, unanimously passing an ordinance that bans STRs of 30 days or less in all U-1 residential zones.
The law is enforceable with a first-degree misdemeanor charge after an initial warning, potentially carrying up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine under Ohio law. City officials estimate about 700 rentals exist locally, but without full visibility, enforcement has been tricky. Now, Council hopes this new penalty-backed rule will tighten oversight.
In case you missed it:
Genelaine Urbano
READ: 06/02/2025 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.