Daily Regulatory Notes 09/29/2025
Cities address STRs. Hawaii schedules enforcement; Anchorage, AK advances proposal; Ionia, MI introduces rules; Beverly Hills, CA votes against recommendation; Middletown, RI review ordinance; New Orleans, LA reviews appeals; Galveston, TX; Dearborn Heights, MI; Bellbrook, OH. READ MORE.
Hawaii
Beginning in January 2026, visitors to Hawaii will face a higher price tag on lodging and cruises as the state implements its new Green Fee, a 0.75% increase to the Transient Accommodations Tax that is expected to bring in about $100 million annually for environmental projects.
The 14-member Green Fee Advisory Council discussed how the money should be spent, with priorities ranging from reef restoration to trail and shoreline maintenance.
Anchorage officials are advancing a proposal to tax short-term rentals at 5%, framing the move as a response to rising housing pressures and neighborhood disruption tied to the growth of Airbnb- and VRBO-style listings.
Assembly Chair Chris Constant who sponsored the measure, emphasized that STRs especially in areas like Girdwood where they make up nearly a third of homes, are pushing residents out of the market while operating like commercial businesses in residential zones. The tax, if approved by voters, would dedicate revenue from STRs back into local housing solutions.
Ionia City Council is set to introduce updated short-term rental rules on Oct. 1, clarifying definitions and requirements for hosts.
The draft ordinance caps STR stays at 27 days, excludes owner-occupied room rentals, and prohibits setups like tents, campers, trailers, and vehicles. Officials stress that all rental properties must be registered with the city to avoid fines, though the changes won’t significantly affect those already operating legally. A public hearing will follow before a final vote on Nov. 5.
The Beverly Hills Planning Commission voted 3-2 against recommending an exemption that would have allowed historic landmark homes to operate as short-term rentals despite the citywide ban.
Supporters argued that rental income could help preserve costly historic properties, while opponents warned the carve-out would create unfair rules and undermine the city’s stance on STRs. The decision now moves to the City Council, which will make the final call on whether to allow exceptions.
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.
Middletown’s Town Council met on September 15 to review its short-term rental ordinance, which currently limits homeowners to renting two rooms in their primary residence.
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Some residents argued the rule unfairly penalizes full-time locals, especially those grandfathered into renting more rooms but now taxed at higher non-resident rates. Council members signaled interest in revisions that would distinguish between true resident hosts and absentee owners.
The New Orleans City Council recently weighed demolition requests and short-term rental appeals.
While council members denied a demolition in Central City to encourage affordable housing and approved one in another neighborhood to support redevelopment, the sharpest debate came over short-term rentals. The council upheld the denial of Tyler Wagner’s STR permit renewal despite his claim of communication issues with the permitting office, pointing to ongoing policy changes and the need for stricter oversight.
The Galveston Short Term Rental Ad Hoc Committee advanced its work on September 25, focusing on density restrictions, policy considerations, and parking rules.
A presentation outlined potential limits on how many STRs can be concentrated in specific neighborhoods, part of an effort to address concerns about over-saturation and its impact on community character. Members also planned to revisit past decisions on parking standards particularly the question of boat parking, which has drawn attention in earlier meetings.
Dearborn Heights has followed neighboring Dearborn’s lead but taken a stricter approach by adopting a citywide ban on short-term rentals. On September 9, the City Council unanimously approved an ordinance prohibiting rentals of 27 days or fewer, with violations carrying steep fines of up to $5,000 per day and $1,000 for simply listing a property online.
Exceptions are made only for licensed facilities such as hotels, motels, nursing homes, and bed-and-breakfasts. Going forward, landlords must sign an acknowledgment of the ban when applying for occupancy certificates.
At its September 22 meeting, the Bellbrook City Council focused on community engagement and the city’s short-term rental rules. Council members debated how best to reach residents ahead of a forthcoming survey, weighing options like hiring a consultant, mailing postcards, or adding notices to water bills.
On rentals, the city reported about six active listings generating roughly $9,000 annually. While some suggested lowering the current 25-day minimum stay, most favored keeping the rule as is but adding a registration process to improve oversight of issues like noise and parking.
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