Daily Regulatory Notes 08/04/2025
Cities address STRs. Douglas County, NV reviews enforcement; Larimer County, CO discusses regulations; Newport News, VA begins enforcement; Howard County, MD passes emergency legislation; Buchanan, MI schedules public hearing; Hilton Head Island, SC revisits regulation. READ MORE.
At a recent meeting in Douglas County, members of the Vacation Home Rental Advisory Board revisited the contentious question of whether short-term rental (STR) owners should be required to hire licensed property managers.
The board debated proposals to extend the existing mandate—currently limited to Tier 2 units with 10+ overnight guests and all Tier 3 units—to include a broader range of properties. Several board members voiced concerns that property managers do not necessarily ensure better compliance and argued that responsible owners should be allowed to self-manage. Others pushed back, citing the need for strong enforcement mechanisms to maintain neighborhood peace. In the end, the board opted not to impose new requirements and instead reaffirmed the existing policy.
At the July 28 Larimer County Land Use Meeting, officials discussed short-term rental regulations in the Estes Valley, focusing heavily on road access and fire safety.
While the Estes Valley Fire Protection District confirmed no emergency access concerns for the property in question, the county engineering department outlined how STR applications are screened for compliance with road width standards. Roads must generally be 20 feet wide, but a 10% variance is allowed internally; anything narrower requires board review.
After years of leniency, Newport News began enforcing its short-term rental ordinance on Friday, August 1. First passed in 2022, the regulations were designed to protect neighborhood character while allowing responsible home-sharing.
The grace period gave hosts time to meet requirements like using their primary residence, limiting occupancy to six guests, banning commercial events, and installing safety equipment. With enforcement now active, properties found out of compliance receive a notice and have 30 days to correct violations. City officials urged hosts to review the rules, apply for a permit, and ensure they were meeting licensing, tax, and guest log requirements.
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Howard County Council unanimously passed emergency legislation to dramatically increase fines for unauthorized short-term rentals, responding to mounting complaints about large, disruptive pool parties in neighborhoods like Columbia.
The updated penalties jump from $250 to $2,500 for a first offense and $5,000 for repeat violations, reflecting growing concerns over safety, trash, and street-level disturbances. While some residents defended the use of their private pools for lessons and inclusive recreation—often facilitated through platforms like Swimply—others described a pattern of out-of-control events with alcohol, marijuana, and even fights.
Buchanan’s long-anticipated short-term rental ordinance is moving forward, but a new set of rules for how ordinances are adopted has slightly delayed the process.
On July 29, city commissioners approved updated procedures requiring a public hearing at least 14 days after an ordinance summary is published, along with a second hearing if changes are made to the draft. As a result, the public hearing for Buchanan’s proposed short-term rental ordinance is now set for August 25. The draft policy aims to limit short-term rentals to the downtown corridor and bar them from single-family residential zones, with existing rentals grandfathered in and only 15 additional units allowed in designated areas. Officials said the goal is to protect housing stock, local schools, and preserve the city’s family-oriented character.
Hilton Head Island’s rising short-term rentals have become a flashpoint in ongoing efforts to address its workforce housing shortage.
At a recent town meeting, officials said STRs now make up 20% of housing, coinciding with soaring home prices that have driven out local workers. Residents pushed for regulation, while industry voices urged leaders not to vilify STRs. The town is investing in housing and infrastructure, but whether STR limits are part of the solution remains uncertain.
In case you missed it:
Genelaine Urbano
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