Daily Regulatory Notes 07/15/2025
Cities address STRs. Marquette, MI caps permits; Manistee, MI votes on ordinance; Londonderry, VT schedules vote; Woodlands Township, TX and Westerly, RI review enforcement. READ MORE.
Marquette’s popularity as a tourist destination has led to a capped system of 250 permitted short-term rentals within city limits, with a robust waitlist and zoning rules to protect neighborhood integrity.
City of Marquette - Government
City leaders say the policy is part of a careful balancing act between serving the hospitality needs of summer tourists and preserving housing for locals. Unlike the city, Marquette Township has no cap, though participation remains low. Local contacts are required for STRs to maintain quick response and accountability.
Manistee is on the verge of adopting its first formal short-term rental ordinance, with a final vote possibly coming at the City Council's meeting on Tuesday, July 15.
Read the ordinance here.
The proposed Chapter 868: Short-Term Rentals would be added to the city’s codified ordinances and include a new overlay map designating areas exempt from the citywide STR cap. The ordinance, introduced during the July 1 council session, now appears on the consent agenda for the meeting.
Londonderry, Vermont is preparing for a pivotal vote on July 19 that will determine the future of newly passed short-term rental regulations.
The special town meeting follows a petition challenging two key amendments: a one-year delay before new property owners can register un-hosted STRs, and a 50-night annual cap on those rentals. Other updates include stricter fire code standards, the use of Knox boxes, and new ownership limits. The vote, to be held from the floor at Town Hall, will decide whether the ordinance amendments proceed or are repealed.
Woodlands Township, TX
The Woodlands Township is taking a closer look at short-term rentals, with a subcommittee now tracking 120 registered STRs and laying groundwork for stronger oversight.
At a recent board meeting, Development Standards Committee Chair Arthur Bredehoft said the township may partner with third-party platforms, including Airbnb, to better identify rentals and ensure taxes and rules are properly applied. Current STR rules first introduced in 2019 require insurance, a $500 compliance deposit, and annual renewal, but officials say evolving trends may call for expanded monitoring. Legal counsel confirmed that enforcement has gotten easier and that two STR permits have already been revoked for noncompliance.
Westerly’s updated short-term rental ordinance is undergoing new scrutiny this summer, with officials weighing further changes after last year’s major fee hike—from $50 to $500—to support a rental-tracking system.
While about 300 rentals are currently registered, town staff estimate 400 to 500 are operating, and new software will soon help identify unregistered listings. As the ordinance comes back under review, councilors are split on ideas like capping STRs, limiting them to beach zones, requiring fire marshal inspections, and offering incentives for year-round housing conversions. The council may seek input from the Economic Development Commission and Housing Committee ahead of a possible July 21 decision.
In case you missed it:
Genelaine Urbano
READ: Daily Regulatory Notes 07/14/2025
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