Daily Regulatory Notes 09/15/2025
Cities address STRs. South Lake Tahoe, CA revises rules; Hermosa Beach, CA extends program; Chatham, MA steps up enforcement; Berea, OH prepares legislation; Pullman, WA reviews enforcement; Lenox, MA; Twin Falls, ID; St. Charles, IL considers framework; Reno, NV; Watervliet, NY. READ MORE.
South Lake Tahoe is moving ahead with changes to its vacation home rental ordinance, with City Council voting to revise rules that have shaped the city’s contentious rental landscape.
The updates under discussion would remove the 150-foot buffer zone requirement and raise the minimum renter age to 25, while also allowing an initial application period limited to former VHR and Qualified VHR permit holders. Since the current ordinance took effect, the city has received 608 applications and issued 66 permits, but enforcement has remained strict, with fines of $1,000 surprising some owners and guests after the December rollout. The revisions will return for a first reading on October 21, with a second reading slated for November 4 and possible implementation by December 4, marking the latest turn after Measure T’s invalidated attempt to phase out rentals altogether.
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Hermosa Beach has voted to extend its short-term vacation rental program until October 2027, keeping in place rules that allow rentals under 30 days only in designated commercial zones while prohibiting them in residential areas.
The program, first adopted in 2019 and extended twice before, currently has about 12 registered operators out of 144 eligible properties, a figure that prompted council discussion about why participation remains low. Council members also noted the need to be mindful of pending lawsuits over residential restrictions but confirmed no immediate changes to the framework.
Chatham is stepping up enforcement of its short-term rental rules, with fines now being issued against owners who fail to register.
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Officials estimate there are about 1,000–1,100 STRs in town, with more than 900 already licensed after a year of outreach and inspections. Most property owners have complied with the $50 annual fee and safety checks, but a handful of holdouts are facing $200 daily fines, with one owner racking up $6,000 before coming into compliance. With about 15 unregistered rentals still under review, the board is handling cases in small batches to avoid overwhelming staff as it continues to track down remaining operators.
After months of resident feedback, Berea leaders are preparing new legislation to regulate short-term rentals through a formal permitting process. The ordinance would require hosts to apply for permits, pay fees, and show compliance with building codes, tax payments, and property upkeep standards.
Mayor Cyril Kleem and council members say the city has seen a rapid increase in STR listings, raising concerns over neighborhood character, frequent tenant turnover, parking, and noise. Councilwoman Erika Coble, who has worked with colleagues and residents to shape the proposal, said recent amendments would add a party ban and give the city power to suspend permits for properties with repeated nuisance violations.
Pullman’s short-term rental rules are back under scrutiny as council members voiced second thoughts about restrictions narrowly approved in May.
The debate reignited after city staff, acting on a single complaint, mailed letters threatening $250 daily fines to 57 operators deemed out of compliance starting January 1. Councilwoman Ann Parks said it was troubling that one vague complaint triggered a citywide crackdown, while Councilwoman Pat Wright, who opposed the rules earlier, called for a moratorium on enforcement until new members are seated next year.
The meeting turned tense when Councilman Nathan Weller attempted to share concerns he said came directly from planning commission members about feeling pressured to recommend the restrictions, but he was interrupted multiple times by the mayor and city attorney. With the new rules still lacking consensus, council agreed to send the matter back to the planning commission and will decide what direction to provide at a future meeting.
STRisker Calendar Tracker
Staying ahead of STR regulations isn’t just about deadlines—it’s about knowing what’s coming. Our Calendar Tracker keeps you informed on upcoming meetings, key votes, and policy changes, so you never miss a critical update.
Lenox is bracing for a heated debate over new short-term rental rules as a proposed bylaw and sweeping changes to the state building code come up for discussion at a Sept. 18 town hall session.
The town has leaned heavily on rental income, collecting nearly $4.2 million in lodging taxes in 2024, with more than $400,000 tied to short-term rentals, but property owners now face costly upgrades like sprinkler systems, annual inspections, and monitored fire alarms under the revised code. Hosts warn that such requirements could push historic homes and smaller operators out of the market, threatening both tourism and tax revenue. Feedback from the upcoming meeting will shape the bylaw before it heads to a November 6 special town meeting for a vote.
Twin Falls City Council has closed the door on new regulations for short-term rentals, rejecting the idea after months of quiet debate. Although other Idaho cities have adopted permit systems, guest limits, parking requirements, and inspections, councilmembers here said they see little need for added rules.
Several argued that oversight would create unnecessary work for staff and burden property owners who treat rentals as investments. Councilman Chris Reid called the proposal an overreach, while Spencer Cutler said he opposed adding inspections or tracking systems.
The City of St. Charles is considering a framework to regulate and tax Airbnbs and Vrbos, which currently fall outside its zoning code and do not contribute hotel taxes.
A plan presented September 8 calls for an online registration system, mandatory disclosure of property and contact details, and compliance with standards on occupancy, parking, noise, and trash, with penalties escalating for repeat violations. While staff recommend applying the city’s existing 6% hotel tax to STRs, some committee members pushed for a registration fee or business license to ensure accountability and cover program costs. The matter will return for further review later this year.
Reno is advancing an ordinance to allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on residential lots, but the City Council has chosen to set aside short-term rental restrictions for now.
While the planning commission initially recommended banning rentals of ADUs for less than 28 days, the council removed that language and instead plans to craft a separate STR ordinance. The move highlights ongoing tensions in Reno’s housing policy, with some council members pushing for clear limits on STR use in ADUs, while others argued it would be inconsistent to restrict only one type of housing. Mayor Hillary Schieve voiced disappointment that a 28-day limit was not included, but supported moving the ordinance forward, saying broader STR rules need to be addressed soon. The final ADU vote is scheduled for September 24.
Watervliet is joining the list of cities moving to rein in short-term rentals, adopting a local law designed to address complaints about noise, large gatherings, and too many cars crowding residential streets.
The rules limit how many people can stay in a rental based on its size, set caps on overnight parking, and require hosts to document who is staying at their property while providing tenants with basic housekeeping information. Residents who testified at the meeting said they’ve dealt with repeated disturbances from nearby Airbnbs, making the law feel overdue.
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