Daily Regulatory Notes 09/30/2025
Cities address STRs. Oregon enforces law; Lenox, MA weighs bylaw; Greenport, NY conducts hearing; Irondequoit, NY requires permit; Cannon Beach, OR reviews enforcement; Monterey County, CA adopts coastal rules; West Stockbridge, MA; Douglas County, NV; Buncombe County, NC; Tiverton, RI. READ MORE.
Oregon
A new Oregon law now protects guests in short-term rentals, hotels, and motels from being secretly photographed, recorded, or filmed inside their accommodations, giving them the right to sue operators who violate their privacy.
Senate Bill 470 was sponsored by Sen. Floyd Prozanski of Eugene, who emphasized that renters should feel secure in private moments without fear of surveillance.
Lenox officials are weighing a new short-term rental bylaw that would require annual registrations, fire extinguishers in all properties, stricter fire alarm systems for non-owner-occupied units, and new “quiet hours” from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., though that start time may be pushed later.
The plan, up for a Nov. 6 town meeting vote, comes as state building code changes now mandate sprinklers in most STRs with five or more guest rooms, sparking confusion and pushback from hosts who see the rules as costly and unclear. With only 77 of 170 local rentals officially registered, town leaders say the changes are needed to improve safety and accountability, though property owners argue the burden is too heavy and inconsistently applied.
Greenport Village wrapped up hearings on a new short-term rental law that would require permits for stays under 30 days, limit multi-unit operators, and enforce rules such as off-street parking and fines of up to $5,000 starting in 2026.
Residents voiced sharply different views—some urging stronger enforcement to preserve housing, while others said the rules won’t solve affordability and could squeeze those relying on STR income. The Village Board will revisit the issue Oct. 16 before voting.
In neighboring Southold, a task force-backed proposal for a permitting system and lottery cap on non-primary STRs has been delayed after the town’s Sept. 30 code meeting was canceled.
The Town of Irondequoit will now require permits for short-term rentals under a code taking effect October 14.
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Property owners can apply starting next week, with permits valid for two years if approved. The measure follows a November 2024 survey of residents and reflects wider regional efforts to manage rentals, as nearby Pittsford passed its own restrictions in May. Further information, including fees and application materials, is posted online by the town.
Cannon Beach leaders want to simplify short-term rental regulations by shifting permitting decisions from the Planning Commission to the City Council, treating them more like business licenses than land-use matters.
The proposal, aimed at easing appeals and administration, has met resistance from planning commissioners and residents who fear it cuts the public out of the process. Despite the commission’s vote to oppose, the City Council could still approve the change. Broader discussions on updating the rental program are slated for October.
Cannon Beach Short Term Rentals
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Monterey County supervisors adopted new coastal vacation rental rules that mirror the county’s inland framework and take effect October 24.
Existing operators must comply by December 24, with rentals categorized as homestays, limited, or commercial, each subject to different restrictions. Homestays remain broadly allowed with one contract per week, limited rentals can operate three times annually, and commercial rentals require discretionary permits and caps tied to planning areas. A review is scheduled for February 2026 to assess compliance and adjust if needed.
West Stockbridge voters will decide on October 20 whether to adopt new zoning bylaws that regulate both accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and short-term rentals (STRs).
The proposed rules would allow one ADU per lot, with size limits tied to the main home, and in some cases permit STR use. Separate articles would cap STR rentals at 80 days per year, extendable to 120 with a special permit, and require registration with the town for a $400 fee, renewable every three years. Additional provisions include local manager requirements, parking standards, and bans on event hosting, signage, or commercial uses. Violations could lead to daily fines and registration revocations after repeated offenses.
Douglas County’s VHR Advisory Board spent September 24 debating whether to revoke a vacation home rental permit after violations involving underage guests and noise.
The homeowner’s advocate argued it was an isolated incident in more than four years of clean operation, noting new safeguards like stricter guest verification and noise monitoring. But board members stressed the severity of underage drinking and compliance failures, raising broader questions about community safety and accountability.
In Buncombe County, the future of short-term rental regulation has been put on pause as recovery from Hurricane Helene takes priority.
A once-booming STR market has declined 20% since 2024, reflecting both oversupply and shifting demand. Asheville’s citywide ban on new vacation rentals outside resort zones continues, and the county’s STR Ad Hoc Committee, created to advise on policy, suspended meetings before completing its recommendations. Instead, officials turned to emergency measures, working with owners to convert STRs into long-term housing for residents who lost homes.
Tiverton’s Planning Board workshop focused on Accessory Dwelling Units and made clear that while ADUs can be rented long-term, short-term rentals under 30 days will not be allowed.
Members raised concerns about enforcement, noting the difficulty of monitoring private arrangements outside major platforms. The discussion also touched on owner-occupancy requirements, with some calling for clearer language to ensure ADUs remain tied to residential use rather than turning into de facto rental businesses.
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Genelaine Urbano
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