Daily Regulatory Notes 11/24/2025
Cities address STRs. Michigan discusses bill; Aspen, CO updates rules; Sandpoint, ID delays recommendation on proposed ordinance; Jamestown, RI proposes restrictions; Riverhead, NY reviews enforcement; Pittsfield, MI; Kansas City, MO; Norfolk, NE; Alpine, TX. READ MORE.
Michigan
A package of Michigan bills (HB 5138, 5139, and 5140) could allow local governments to impose a voter-approved 3% excise tax on short-term rentals, hotels, and motels to fund infrastructure and essential services.
Co-sponsored by Rep. John Roth and supported by Airbnb, the legislation would require online booking platforms to collect the tax at the point of sale. While Roth doubts the bills will pass in their current form, he hopes they spark statewide discussions about fair tourism revenue sharing and helping local communities cover costs associated with visitors.
Aspen updated its short-term rental rules on Nov. 18 to make the permitting system more efficient and responsive to operator and community concerns.
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While the city is keeping its existing permit categories, the amendments add a temporary permit that lets new owners fulfill reservations booked before a property changes hands. The revisions also streamline renewal paperwork, loosen rules for applications already in progress, and allow permit transfers in limited life-event situations. The council adopted the package unanimously.
Sandpoint’s Planning and Zoning Commission delayed its recommendation on proposed short-term rental ordinance changes, pushing the discussion to Dec. 16 for more work on parking, occupancy limits, and a definition of “neighborhood integrity.”
The draft ordinance would remove the city’s cap of 35 non-owner-occupied STRs, create new categories for standard and high-occupancy rentals, and require conditional use permits for larger rentals. It also adds local-representative requirements, detailed parking standards, annual non-transferable permits, and clearer rules on fines and revocations.
Jamestown officials are weighing significant changes to their short-term rental ordinance after Councilwoman Mary Meagher proposed new restrictions aimed at addressing community conflict and regulatory gaps.
Meagher wants stricter septic system requirements, a one-rental-per-lot rule, and a prohibition on STRs in properties with accessory dwelling units. She also suggests limiting STR ownership to full-time Jamestown residents to curb investor-driven rentals.
Riverhead’s Town Board voted to override the state’s 2% tax levy cap and approve a $121.1 million budget for 2026. The spending plan increases the townwide tax levy by 7.74%, raising the tax rate to $71.549 per $1,000 of assessed value.
During the meeting, the board also held a lengthy hearing on proposed short-term rental code amendments meant to strengthen enforcement. Members additionally voted 4–1 to name the Jazz Loft as the “qualified and eligible sponsor” to purchase and redevelop the Vail-Leavitt Music Hall.
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Pittsfield Township’s Planning Commission voted on new short-term rental restrictions following months of neighborhood complaints about noise, fireworks, and event-style gatherings.
Officials say the ordinance aims to close loopholes that have allowed out-of-town LLCs to buy homes and operate them as unmanaged rentals. The draft rules also limit occupancy to two people per bedroom and require all units to be licensed. Rentals would be restricted to no more than 60 days annually.
Kansas City residents are gearing up to host World Cup visitors after the City Council approved a new “major event” category for short-term rentals, potentially lowering permit fees to $50 during high-demand periods.
Dozens attended a recent crash course to learn how to legally operate rentals and prepare their homes for the tourism surge. City officials estimate as many as 650,000 visitors will arrive next summer, far outpacing the city’s existing hotel and STR capacity.
Norfolk officials unanimously approved a zoning change that clears the way for the former Carnegie Library to operate as a short-term rental property.
The project includes multiple rental units and aims to preserve the historic character of the 1910 building while attracting visitors to nearby businesses. The owner described plans for “library-themed” accommodations and flexible stays under 30 days.
Alpine councilors unanimously approved the first reading of Ordinance 2025-12-01, a proposal that rewrites the city’s short-term rental regulations and sets fines of up to $2,000 for violations.
It will move forward to future readings before a final vote. The meeting also included several administrative approvals, most of which passed unanimously. Budget adjustments, staffing authorizations, and updated procedural rules rounded out the agenda.
🐦 Tweet Highlights: Catch the latest discussions on X
Kearney Planning Commission continues to discuss short-term rentals, downtown residenceshttps://t.co/6xu02z7tyr
— CentralNebraskaTODAY (@centralnetoday) November 21, 2025
Neighbors say short-term rentals in southwest Atlanta is fueling noise, traffic and fights #Atlanta #MARTA #ATLDOT #GDOT #ATL https://t.co/mILWdETDii
— MyTransitAtlanta (@MyTransitATL) November 21, 2025
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