Daily Regulatory Notes 10/13/2025
Cities address STRs. Florida plans to introduce bill; Puerto Rico considers new safety requirements; Thousand Palms, CA voices frustrations; St. Louis, MO revisits enforcement; Mentor, OH schedules vote; East Hampton, NY explores regulations; Logan, OH; Redondo Beach, CA. READ MORE.
Florida
A Florida lawmaker plans to introduce a new bill requiring stronger pool safety standards at short-term rentals after a Scripps News investigation revealed dozens of child drownings at vacation homes.
Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, who represents the Orlando area, said the state has a duty to lead on drowning prevention, especially as Florida hosts millions of visitors unfamiliar with pool risks. Smith previously filed a bill to update pool safety laws for all homes, but it failed last session. He now plans to focus specifically on short-term rentals like Airbnb properties, where at least 49 children have drowned or nearly drowned since 2021.
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rican legislators are considering new safety requirements for short-term rentals under Bill 605, discussed by the House Commission on Tourism on October 3.
The proposal would require all operators to provide guests with bilingual safety guides including hazard warnings, emergency numbers, and disaster evacuation information. Tourism officials supported the bill as a step toward better visitor protection, but Airbnb—invited to future hearings—warned it could create inconsistent standards.
Thousand Palms, Riverside County, CA
Residents in Thousand Palms are once again voicing frustration over the ongoing issues tied to short-term rentals after a recent fire at one property nearly sparked a neighborhood disaster.
Despite a moratorium on new permits, existing rentals continue to host loud gatherings that residents say bring noise, trash, and safety hazards. The latest incident involved a large burn pit built by guests, with flames reportedly high enough to draw police intervention. Neighbors warn the fire could have spread quickly, escalating into tragedy. Many locals say the county’s moratorium fails to curb irresponsible behavior at existing rentals and are calling for stronger enforcement.
St. Louis’ short-term rental regulations remain unenforced, five months after a judge ruled the city could proceed with most provisions. Passed in 2023 to address noise and safety complaints tied to Airbnbs, the law required permits, two-night minimum stays, and 24-hour property contacts.
Judge Joseph Whyte’s June decision lifted a prior block, but city officials never acted on it, citing confusion over a related $150 fee still under litigation. Mayor Cara Spencer said revisions are underway to “rectify issues” with the law, while Alderman Bret Narayan is drafting updates for introduction later this fall.
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Mentor City Council is weighing a proposal to replace its short-term rental ban with a permit system that caps the number of rentals and adds new operating rules.
The ordinance would allow up to 32 short-term rental permits, issued annually on a first-come basis, with requirements addressing parking, noise, and property management. The current ban, in place since March 2025, prohibits stays under 30 days and fines violators up to $250 per day. The proposal is slated for a third reading and vote on October 21.
East Hampton officials are exploring stronger short-term rental regulations following Councilwoman Cate Rogers’s presentation on rising investor activity in residential zones.
Rogers cited AirDNA data showing over 1,800 active rentals averaging $1,200 a night and just four-night stays, arguing that short-term rentals are becoming commercial enterprises in neighborhoods meant for residents. Rogers proposed adopting tracking software to identify unregistered listings and enforce compliance, while other ideas included raising fees and limiting STRs to primary residences. Officials emphasized maintaining traditional, longer-term seasonal rentals while preventing corporate and LLC-driven expansion.
Hocking Hills short-term rental operators gathered last week to push back against a series of proposed county regulations they say could threaten the local tourism economy.
T Walker
The measures under discussion include requiring renters to be at least 21, mandating a 24/7 local contact person, and limiting occupancy to two guests per bedroom. Many owners argued the changes would be too burdensome, with 47% saying they might have to close or face severe financial hardship if the local contact rule passes. Several attendees warned that the proposals could lead to higher rental prices, lower visitor spending, and reduced tax revenue.
Redondo Beach, Los Angeles County, CA
Redondo Beach is stepping up enforcement of its long-standing short-term rental ban, sending more than 500 warning letters to property owners with listings for stays under 30 days.
The move follows the city’s new contract with Deckard Technologies to identify illegal rentals, which Mayor Jim Light described as a “proactive sweep” to bring properties back into the long-term housing market. The council will soon discuss whether limited exceptions could be made for hosted stays, but for now, owners must delist or shift to 30-day minimum rentals or face potential misdemeanor charges.
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Genelaine Urbano
Genelaine Urbano
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