Daily Regulatory Notes 06/23/2025
Cities address STRs. St. Louis, MO; Somers Point, NJ; Sister Bay, WI; Jackson County, MO; Del Mar, CA. 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. 📰
A deadly confrontation outside a short-term rental has reignited alarm in St. Louis, where the city’s hands remain tied by a court order preventing enforcement of new rental regulations.
The party which violated fire codes and STR usage rules took place at the Ely Walker Lofts—a building long troubled by such incidents. In 2023, the city passed a law requiring permits, on-call property managers, a two-night minimum, and party restrictions for short-term rentals. But a lawsuit from a rental operator stalled those rules, with a judge ruling that the ordinance’s $150 licensing fee may violate the state constitution by acting as a hidden tax.
Somers Point City Council narrowly approved a change extending the minimum stay for short-term rentals from three to seven nights, after a lengthy and emotional debate on June 12.
Supporters of the new rule, including Councilman Sean McGuigan, argued the extended stay would reduce transient traffic, improve neighborhood stability, and support year-round residency, citing concerns about safety, trash, and parking.
A Door County judge ruled that Sister Bay wrongly denied a short-term rental license to Captain’s Cottage over outdated parking concerns, reinforcing that municipalities can’t retroactively apply zoning codes.
The village had cited noncompliant asphalt stalls and setback violations, but Judge David Weber found the property’s longstanding driveway was protected under grandfather clauses in local and state law. The ruling also faulted the village for blocking the owners’ appeal.
Jackson County lawmakers voted unanimously to shield short-term rental homeowners from steep tax hikes by blocking a reclassification of 2023 residential STRs as commercial properties for 2025.
Instead, tax increases will be capped at 15% for the next two years. Legislators also exploring whether they can cap future commercial property tax increases through a separate measure.
Del Mar’s short-term rental ordinance, finalized in September 2024, is now under scrutiny after questions surfaced about Mayor Terry Gaasterland’s potential conflict of interest.
Gaasterland, who owns two condos she has rented monthly, participated in crafting the ordinance and later registered the properties as STRs. While she recused herself from one meeting and sought guidance from the FPPC, others on the council worry that her involvement may put the ordinance at legal risk. The Coastal Commission’s review of the ordinance is still pending.
In case you missed it:
Genelaine Urbano
READ: Weekly Regulatory Briefing (25)
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