Daily Regulatory Notes 10/23/2025
Cities address STRs. Nantucket, MA & Jefferson City, MO schedule vote; Ocean City, MD votes on moratorium; Fayetteville, AR upholds ordinance; North Richland Hills, TX bans STRs; West Stockbridge, MA approves rules; San Diego, CA proposes new tax; Middletown, RI; Barnegat Township, NJ. READ MORE.
At the upcoming Nov. 4 Special Town Meeting, Nantucket voters will decide between two sharply contrasting paths for short-term rentals.
Article 1 would open the door to more STRs and larger replacement homes, while Article 2 seeks tighter limits to protect year-round housing and neighborhood integrity. Nantucket Neighborhoods First, a local advocacy group, is calling on residents to oppose Article 1, saying short-term rental profits are eroding affordability and community life.
Government Websites by CivicPlus®
Ocean City’s debate over short-term rentals continues as the City Council voted on whether to extend its moratorium on new STR licenses in single-family and mobile home districts until Jan. 3, 2027.
The 4–3 decision last week advanced the proposal to first reading after public discussion of the city’s 2024–2025 rental ordinances. Supporters, including Mayor Rick Meehan, say the pause is needed to protect neighborhood character and uphold residents’ expectations, while opponents argue the measure is overly restrictive.
The Arkansas Supreme Court has upheld Fayetteville’s short-term rental ordinance, ruling 4–3 that a lower court acted appropriately in denying a Texas couple’s request to pause enforcement while their lawsuit proceeds.
Government Websites by CivicPlus®
Stephen and Shelley Hause, whose permit application for a rental home northwest of Old Farmington Road was denied, had argued the city’s ordinance is unconstitutionally vague. The majority, led by Justice Cody Hiland, found no abuse of discretion in the lower court’s decision, noting the couple failed to show irreparable harm or a likelihood of success. A dissent by Justice Nicholas Bronni countered that the ordinance’s terms, such as “frequency and concentration” of STRs, are too vague and that the court should have weighed the legal merits.
The North Richland Hills City Council voted unanimously to ban new STRs in single-family neighborhoods while allowing them in multi-family, commercial, and transit-oriented districts.
Government Websites by CivicPlus®
Existing operators can continue if they obtain annual permits, pass inspections, and comply with safety, noise, and tax requirements. Residents were split — some cited “party house” concerns and neighborhood disruption, while others defended property rights and the need for supplemental income. Officials said most feedback favored regulation. The new rules take effect Nov. 13, with compliance starting in January.
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.
West Stockbridge voters unanimously approved new short-term rental (STR) rules and accessory dwelling unit (ADU) provisions at the October 20 town meeting, opening both uses for the first time.
STRs are now allowed for up to 80 rental days per year, with zoning permits required for 80–120 days and bans on rentals exceeding 120 days. Operators must register annually and follow limits meant to prevent corporate ownership and preserve housing. The new ADU bylaw allows owner-occupied units up to 900 square feet, including detached structures, to promote affordability and resident income.
Jefferson City voters will decide on Nov. 4 whether to extend the city’s 7% lodging tax covering hotels, motels, and short-term rentals like Airbnb and HomeAway through 2060.
Jefferson City's Short-Term Rentals
Under existing regulations, hosts must submit monthly lodging tax forms and comply with city rules governing occupancy limits, signage, parking, and fire safety. Short-term rentals are allowed only within a primary residence, not in accessory structures such as garages.
San Diego officials are weighing a proposal to place a new tax on the June 2026 ballot that would target vacation rentals and second homes not used as long-term housing.
Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera says the tax could raise roughly $135 million a year and help push owners to rent to locals instead of leaving properties vacant or operating them as short-term rentals. If approved, San Diego would become the first city to tax both vacant and vacation homes. The measure will be discussed by the City Council’s Rules Committee this week.
The Town Council reviewed a proposed amendment to align the residential tax exemption with the town’s short-term rental (STR) ordinance.
Government Websites by CivicPlus®
The change would remove conflicting language between the two codes — replacing a bedroom-based definition with one focused on occupancy limits. Under the revision, primary-residence owners renting to no more than six short-term occupants could still qualify for the owner-occupied tax rate. The measure passed its first reading and will return for further discussion and possible edits before a second vote.
Barnegat Township is moving to tighten its short-term rental rules, proposing to extend the minimum rental period from 30 to 180 days and raise fines for violations up to $2,000 per day.
The changes, introduced in October, will be up for a public hearing and final vote on November 6. The township’s 2020 ordinance already limits rentals to 30 days or more to prevent “flophouses,” but officials say stronger penalties are needed for deterrence. Single-room rentals in owner-occupied homes will remain allowed under the existing rules.
In case you missed it:
Genelaine Urbano
Genelaine Urbano
Stay Updated with STRisker
STRisker offers tools and features to keep you updated with the Short-Term Rental movement across the U.S.
👍 We’d love your feedback.
Which stories hit? Which ones missed?
We're constantly refining Daily Notes to make it even more useful for you.
✉️ Just reply directly to this email. We read and respond to every message!
-Will McClure
🙋 P.S.
Know someone else who should be reading Daily Notes? Feel free to forward this along. We’re opening a few more spots.