Daily Regulatory Notes 10/06/2025
Cities address STRs. New York presents survey; Austin, TX steps up enforcement; Lahaina, HI pushes bill; Catskill, NY proposes occupancy tax; Stowe, VT presents data. READ MORE.
New York
Airbnb is using new polling data to bolster support for Intro 1107, a City Council bill that would ease restrictions under New York’s strict Local Law 18.
Intro 1107-2024
The Clarafy Research survey of 1,000 voters found 81% believe the city is headed in the wrong direction on housing affordability, and 80% support reforms to allow more guests and let primary residents rent their homes while away. Airbnb argues the law, which cut listings from 22,000 to just over 3,000, has worsened affordability and removed income for hosts.
Ahead of the Austin City Limits Festival, the city is stepping up enforcement of its short-term rental rules with new council-approved changes aimed at curbing unlicensed listings.
Companies like VRBO and Airbnb welcomed the updates, pointing to the economic and housing benefits for local hosts as well as new tax revenue—over $5 million collected in hotel occupancy taxes this summer alone. Yet many neighbors say the reforms fall short. Calls for broader spacing rules and density caps have gone unanswered, with a recent proposal to limit rentals by census tract failing over legal and equity concerns.
Lahaina Strong is pressing the Maui County Council to pass Bill 9 without carve-outs, amendments, or delays, saying anything less would betray families displaced by the 2023 wildfires.
The bill, which passed out of committee in July, would transition short-term rentals in apartment-zoned districts back into long-term housing for residents. The coalition of survivors and working families argues that offshore investors have commodified housing and water resources for profit at the expense of locals. Opponents, including the Maui Vacation Rental Association, warn that the measure poses legal risks and conflicts with prior land-use decisions, while a University of Hawaiʻi study forecasts major economic fallout if STRs are removed.
The Village of Catskill is preparing for a public hearing on a proposed 4% occupancy tax covering short-term rentals and hotels.
The measure would apply to any rental of 90 days or less, with exemptions for nonprofits, government entities, and extended stays. Village leaders say the tax, approved by the state Legislature earlier this year, will help offset inflation and strengthen funding for local services without placing new burdens on residents. If approved, the law will take effect January 1, with penalties for operators who fail to comply.
Stowe officials have presented the first round of data from the town’s short-term rental registry, showing 1,039 units registered since the program launched in May.
While the Selectboard initially considered waiting a year to assess results, assistant town manager Will Fricke provided a breakdown revealing that most rentals are condominiums (604), with 401 single-family homes and 34 commercial or apartment buildings. The registry has also improved emergency response by requiring owners to provide local contacts or key boxes, with the fire department reporting smoother call responses since implementation.
In case you missed it:
Genelaine Urbano
STRisker Government Office Dashboard
Trying to keep up with the main players in the STR game? Know your councilmembers, commissioners, committee chairs, and key staff that are part of the process.
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