Daily Regulatory Notes 08/06/2025
Cities address STRs. San Antonio, TX debates on proposal; Virginia Beach, VA tightens enforcement; Santa Barbara, CA reviews enforcement; Isle of Palms, SC schedules report; St. Louis, MO revisits enforcement. READ MORE.
At its August 4 meeting, the San Antonio Board of Adjustment debated a proposal to increase short-term rental permits at a single property, revealing a divide over policy and community impact.
Supporters emphasized the lack of neighborhood opposition, off-street parking availability, and the property's positive service record—particularly for military guests. Commissioner Benavides backed the request, citing no change in unit count and a clear operational transition. But Commissioners Stevens and Dean pushed back, raising concerns about granting multiple permits for one location and questioning whether the space might better serve local students or residents. No decision was reached, and the board is expected to revisit the issue after further review.
Virginia Beach is preparing to take a tougher stance on short-term rental violations, with City Council set to consider a proposal August 12 that would shift penalties from civil fines to criminal charges.
The recommendation comes from a task force that found current $500–$1,000 fines are often seen as a cost of doing business rather than a deterrent. Other changes include reducing inspection frequency to every five years, allowing Class A, B, and C contractors to conduct structural inspections, and loosening parking requirements—though some task force members object to applying those changes beyond grandfathered properties. With 2,700 active rentals and growing frustration over enforcement gaps, city leaders appear ready to recalibrate their approach to STR compliance.
Santa Barbara’s short-term rental task force heads back to City Council on August 5 after recovering more than $2.6 million in taxes, penalties, and fees from illegal vacation rentals during its two-year pilot run.
Launched in 2024, the program has proven highly cost-effective — using just a fraction of its $1.175 million budget while achieving voluntary compliance in hundreds of cases. The task force, made up of retired law enforcement and financial analysts, identifies unpermitted STRs and helps bring them into compliance, focusing on both coastal and inland zones.
This week, Council will review a report detailing the program’s success and decide whether to formalize it as a permanent enforcement tool.
Isle of Palms continues to navigate its short-term rental landscape, with the Chamber of Commerce hosting College of Charleston professor Dr. Brumby McLeod on August 26 for a presentation on national trends and local challenges.
McLeod praises IOP as a leading example of STR regulation and urges the community to stay proactive as the regulatory environment tightens across the country. He contrasts IOP with Folly Beach, where STRs now dominate the housing stock, warning that a lack of early planning can lead to irreversible shifts. Chamber members express a shared interest in preserving IOP’s small-town feel while supporting economic growth through rentals.
A shooting at a short-term rental in St. Louis’ Carondelet neighborhood leaves a 17-year-old girl injured and reignites concern over STR safety and oversight.
The incident, which unfolded during a weekend party at a home listed on Airbnb and VRBO, shocks residents as gunfire damages property and sends kids fleeing for cover. Neighbors say the home is owned by an out-of-state investor who wasn’t present to intervene, intensifying frustration over absentee landlords and a growing number of STRs in the area. While the property owner claims she was unaware of the gathering and has shut down the listing, city leaders say they are unable to enforce a recently passed STR ordinance due to a court-issued restraining order.
In case you missed it:
Genelaine Urbano
STRisker Government Office Dashboard
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