Daily Regulatory Notes 11/20/2024
Every day, we bring you a detailed overview of recent news and updates about primary decisions, community feedback, or legislative changes relevant to the short-term rental industry. 📰
Fort Payne, AL
Dane Artisola
Continuation from yesterday…
Fort Payne has passed a new ordinance regulating short-term rentals in R1 residential zones. Ordinance 2024-08 mandates property owners to seek conditional use approval from the city’s zoning board, ensuring community input on proposed rentals. Additional requirements include inspections, licensing, and proof of paid lodging taxes.
The ordinance takes effect in June 2025.
Pullman, WA
Pullman residents have their final chance to weigh in on proposed short-term rental regulations at today’s Planning Commission meeting before recommending it to City Council.
Monitor the meeting 👁️
```The new rules would require operators to obtain a $350 permit and meet strict requirements, including submitting property and floor plans, ensuring tax compliance, maintaining insurance, and providing emergency evacuation plans. Rentals must also feature interconnected alarms, evacuation route signs, and a local representative within 30 minutes of Pullman. Violations could result in penalties or permit revocation.
Pulled here: https://pullmanradio.com/
Warwick, NY
The Village of Warwick held a public hearing on November 18 to discuss its proposed short-term rental law. Suggestions included reduced fees for seniors, stricter guest and event limits, and transitional allowances for existing rentals that may not meet new requirements. Due to differing state and local rules, debate arose over mixed-use properties and non-owner-occupied rentals. Mayor Michael Newhard stressed the law’s focus on public safety and monitoring short-term rental activity.
Public comments will continue through December 16 before the board finalizes its decision.
Relevant document 📁
Fort Worth, TX
Two years after the city implemented new rules aiming to ban short-term rental operations in residential zones, a lawsuit following the ordinance heads to a pivotal court hearing on December 18.
A coalition of 114 operators claims the ordinance infringes on property rights and seeks to overturn the rules. Both sides have moved for summary judgment, seeking resolution without trial. Fort Worth City Council recently tripled its legal defense budget for the case to $450,000, drawing criticism from the Fort Worth Short Term Rental Alliance, which accuses the city of misusing taxpayer funds.
Read the case:
The ordinance 🗃️
Rockford, IL
```Rockford City Council is working on its first ordinance to regulate over 200 short-term rentals in response to years of complaints about noise, large gatherings, parking issues, and criminal activity. Proposed rules include:
Monday night’s proposed ordinance included the following rules:No advertising or hosting for commercial events, such as weddings, large gatherings, or assemblies.Maximum occupancy of two people per bedroom or 10 total persons.No on-street parking.Responsible party must be available to respond to complaints.No hourly booking.New owners must submit an application.
The council postponed a decision to refine the rules further, aiming to balance community concerns and fair treatment for compliant hosts. Read the full draft below 📁
Astoria, OR
Astoria’s City Council postponed a vote on a proposed ordinance that would limit vacation rentals to 50 units and establish a licensing program with fees of $500 initially and $250 annually. Property owners voiced concerns over the financial strain, particularly on maintaining historic properties like Pier 39, which faces steep operating costs.
While city staff justified the fees as comparable to other coastal communities, some councilors suggested adjustments, such as biennial licensing, to ease burdens. The council will revisit the proposal after gathering more public feedback.
You can also read the ordinance here.
Marblehead, MA
At a November 12 meeting, Marblehead's Planning Board discussed evaluating regulations for short-term rentals, which have grown from 100 to 231 listings since 2021.
The town has already implemented a 6% room occupancy tax, generating over $70,000 in three months, but officials, including Select Board member Dan Fox, warned that short-term rentals may be driving up housing costs.
Suggestions included creating a certification program for quality control, similar to neighboring Salem, and requiring health and safety inspections. Town Planner Alex Eitler was tasked with assessing the industry’s local impact before further action.
Sister Bay, WI
The Village of Sister Bay faces a lawsuit from four property owners over its ordinance limiting short-term rental properties to four bedrooms. The plaintiffs argue the rule is unfair and their properties should have been grandfathered in under prior regulations.
The ordinance in question.
A judge declined to issue an injunction stopping enforcement, ruling it would give the plaintiffs an unfair business advantage and disrupt the current status quo. The bedroom limit, introduced after complaints and regulatory concerns, is part of broader changes to short-term rental rules in the village.
No future hearings have been scheduled as the case proceeds.