Daily Regulatory Notes 10/21/2025
Cities address STRs. Texas launches association; Avalon, CA prepares lottery system; Warren, VT reviews ordinance; Lenox, MA prepares to vote; Honolulu, HI updates bill; Lee's Summit, MO reviews enforcement; Vista, CA; Pahrump, NV; Yachats, OR; Chikaming Township, MI. READ MORE.
Texas
A new statewide trade association is stepping into Texas’ short-term rental debate. The Texas Short-Term Rental Association (TXSTRA), based in Houston, launched this week to unite local operators under one voice amid a maze of city-level bans and inconsistent regulations.
TXSTRA
Founder Sébastien Long said TXSTRA will advocate for balanced statewide policies and share best practices to support responsible hosting. As Texas prepares for the 2026 World Cup and lawmakers consider how to manage the industry, TXSTRA is positioning itself as the bridge between local concerns and state-level policymaking, underscoring the sector’s $14 billion annual economic contribution.
Avalon is preparing to launch a lottery system to manage its short-term rental licenses after City Council reached a consensus to move forward with the idea during an Oct. 7 discussion.
The move follows an ordinance adopted Oct. 1 that caps all transient rental units—both grandfathered and newly licensed—at 410. With 386 already identified as compliant, the city expects growing competition for the remaining slots. Staff recommended a general lottery with a weighted point system that gives priority to property owners who maintain long-term rentals or who have previously applied and been denied.
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Warren’s short-term rental ordinance becomes law October 17, but concerns over weak enforcement dominated this week’s Select Board meeting.
Local innkeeper George Dorsey and former board chair Bob Ackland said the new rules fail to address safety, fairness, and neighborhood impacts. Both urged adding a certification process to ensure rentals meet state fire and health codes, arguing that self-certification leaves renters and neighbors at risk. Chair Devin Klein Corrigan said Vermont law restricts towns from imposing stricter standards and that Warren’s focus now is establishing a registry to gather data before revisiting stronger measures.
Lenox officials are working to clear up confusion as the town prepares to vote November 6 on a new short-term rental bylaw focused on registration and safety inspections—not sprinklers.
The state’s recently updated building code, effective July 1, requires most STR properties to install automated sprinkler systems, but Land Use Director Eammon Coughlin emphasized that the local proposal doesn’t alter or expand those state rules. Instead, the bylaw would create an annual registration system and basic safety standards like requiring fire extinguishers and owner contact information.
Honolulu County’s Bill 62 updates vacation rental and bed-and-breakfast registration rules, but a new $1,000 re-registration fee for ownership or operator changes is drawing backlash.
While most revisions simply clarify existing requirements such as acceptable tax documents for renewals, the bill reinstates regulations accidentally omitted in a 2024 update. Despite opposition, the Council’s zoning committee advanced the measure to third reading, with members requesting data on who will be most affected.
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City leaders in Lee’s Summit decided not to temporarily ease short-term rental rules during the 2026 World Cup, opting instead to keep current regulations in place.
Staff had floated a 60-day relaxation period to track visitor rentals and improve compliance, noting that nearby cities expect up to 650,000 visitors. Staff will instead focus on ongoing updates, including aligning city code definitions, enhancing enforcement coordination, and ensuring transient-guest tax collection through licensed operators.
Vista officials say the city’s first year under its short-term rental ordinance has brought clearer oversight and stronger compliance. Since the rules took effect in June 2024, the number of registered vacation rentals has risen from 49 to 103, and transient occupancy tax revenue has climbed from $139,729 to $368,566.
City staff credit the increase to tighter registration requirements and a monitoring partnership with Deckard Technologies. The ordinance also set rules on quiet hours, guest limits, and event bans to reduce neighborhood conflicts. About 13 properties remain out of compliance and are facing escalating fines, while the city continues outreach to bring them in line.
Pahrump officials are easing one of the new short-term rental rules after owners reported difficulties complying with a requirement to hire engineers to certify septic capacity.
Under Ordinance 74, Chapter 8, STR owners must register with the town by Nov. 2, but a newly approved variance removes the mandate for an engineer’s certification—something state law doesn’t recognize. Instead, owners can now use local septic service providers to verify systems are functioning properly. Nye County and town leaders agreed the change maintains health and safety standards while reducing unnecessary costs.
Yachats officials are once again weighing whether vacation rental licenses should be inheritable after a city council hearing reignited debate among license holders and community members.
The proposed ordinance update mostly clarifies existing policy, reaffirming that only individuals listed on the property deed can hold a vacation rental license. The rule, first adopted in 2017 after lengthy public debate, means licenses expire when an owner sells the home or passes away. The council asked staff to study how other Oregon coastal towns handle transfers and to revisit the legal implications before a second public hearing and potential vote in December.
Chikaming Township has hit pause on new short-term rental licenses, approving a 90-day moratorium on Oct. 9 to give officials time to review and adjust local regulations. Only properties with valid or pending 2025 licenses can renew for 2026 during the freeze.
A public session devoted to STR issues is set for Oct. 28 at Township Hall. The board also adopted updates to next year’s rental affidavit, adding information about beach access, fireworks rules, and local ordinances to improve compliance.
In case you missed it:
Genelaine Urbano
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