Daily Regulatory Notes 07/02/2026

Hawaii

Hawaii County's Leeward Planning Commission held a four-hour special meeting in Kona on Tuesday to consider Bill 147, a proposed ordinance that would repeal existing short term vacation rental and bed and breakfast regulations and replace them with a new regulatory framework covering permitted uses, permitting, enforcement and operational standards.

The county's Planning Director is recommending both the Leeward and Windward Planning Commissions forward a favorable recommendation to the County Council, with a deadline of August 8, 2026. The commission deferred a vote after hearing mostly opposition testimony from current STR and bed and breakfast operators, and will take up the bill again on July 16.

Osceola County, FL

Osceola County Sheriff's Office is ramping up enforcement against illegal short term rental parties ahead of the Fourth of July weekend, with deputies actively monitoring social media and promotional flyers to identify organizers before events begin.

Major Alex Guevara said the department has Airbnb on speed dial and can get a response within 30 minutes when illegal activity is identified, calling the platform proactive in shutting down unauthorized gatherings. The enforcement push follows a deadly March shooting at a short term rental party in a gated subdivision that left a 17-year-old dead.

Ford River Township, MI

Ford River Township voted 3-2 on June 15 to ban short term rentals in residential zones, limiting STR operations to commercial districts only after years of planning commission work and multiple failed attempts to pass the measure.

Existing operators who hold Special Use Permits from the township will be grandfathered in and allowed to continue, while those currently listing without proper permits may face shutdown. A separate ordinance passed in May already requires all STR operators in the township to obtain a Rental Certificate and submit to annual inspections.

Ganges Township, MI

Ganges Township extended its short term rental moratorium through December 31, 2026 while officials work on a draft ordinance, but the process has been complicated by a fundamental problem both sides agree on: no one knows exactly how many STRs are operating in the township.

A working draft would cap licenses at 200, require owners to occupy the property at least 30 days a year, limit occupancy to 12 guests and mandate annual registration, insurance, inspections and a local agent. A newly formed Ganges Vacation Rental Alliance is pushing for a cap of 250, a legacy clause protecting owners who invested before the moratorium and occupancy limits scaled to lot size rather than a flat ceiling.

Strisker Government Officials Dashboard

Trying to keep up with the main players in the STR and Data Center game? Know your council members, commissioners, committee chairs, and key staff that are part of the process.

Create Your Watchlist - 14 Day Free Trial

Wimberley, TX

Wimberley is moving forward with public hearings on proposed short term rental zoning amendments, with sessions scheduled for the Planning and Zoning Commission on July 9 and City Council on July 16, both at 6 p.m. at City Hall.

Short Term Rental | Wimberley, TX

Home PageGovernment Websites by CivicPlus®

The proposed changes would remove the ability for property owners to apply for non-owner-occupied STR conditional use permits in the R-2 and R-3 single-family residential zones, while allowing short term lodging facilities with up to 30 units as a permitted use by right in commercial zoning districts. No final action will be taken during the July hearings, with decisions anticipated at the August Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council meetings.

Decatur, AL

Decatur's three-month grace period for short term rental registration ended July 1, with property owners now subject to fines of up to $500 per day if they continue operating without city approval.

The ordinance, approved earlier this year and open for registration since April 1, caps permitted STRs at 150 and requires owners or agents to live within 50 miles of the property and respond to issues within one hour. Planning Director Chad Bowman encouraged unregistered owners to complete the process, noting applications are still being accepted and most are expected to be processed within seven to ten business days.

Bethel, NY

Bethel, New York has scheduled a final public hearing on its comprehensive plan update for July 29, with short term rentals among the key topics shaped by public feedback.

The revised plan now calls for a dedicated committee to be formed to research short term rentals and their impacts on the town, with the goal of providing formal regulatory recommendations to the town board. A zoning checklist included in the plan also encourages the adoption of whatever recommendations that committee ultimately produces.

📱 Social Buzz

Episode Title: [EXPERT] How to Buy a House
Episode: Second Home First

Listen:https://episode.flightcast.com/01KWB3MVH6HNN6ZQJXC839CM7C.mp3

In case you missed it:

Daily Regulatory Notes 07/01/2026

Cities address STRs. Idaho enforces bill; Isle, MN lifts moratorium; Hocking County, OH dismisses lawsuit; Jenkintown, PA schedules hearing; Indianapolis, IN calls for stricter rules; Mobile County, AL reviews enforcement; Kennebunkport, ME hosts seminar. READ MORE.

Strisker - Short-term rental and data center regulationsGenelaine Urbano

🎯 Strisker: Bulletin - Idaho

Idaho Enacts Sweeping Short‑Term Rental Preemption Law: HB 583 bars local licensing, aligns STRs with residential housing.

Strisker - Short-term rental and data center regulationsGenelaine Urbano

👍 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.