Daily Regulatory Notes 11/28/2024
Cities across the U.S. are reexamining short-term rental policies. Lake Geneva debates rental caps and booking minimums, Nantucket proposes owner-occupancy rules, and Manistee seeks balance through public feedback. New Braunfels and Jamestown review permits for individual properties.
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. đź“°
Lake Geneva, WI
On Nov. 11, the Lake Geneva City Council decided to delay finalizing its revised short-term rental ordinance until Nov. 25, allowing time to address unresolved details and refine language.
```The ordinance proposes changes including a 180-day rental limit per year, a minimum booking of seven consecutive days, and restrictions allowing one rental every 29 days during the off-season. Debate focused on clarity in administrative details, such as defining "prompt" response times for local property managers required to be within 25 miles.
A look into the ordinance. For the complete report, check out the file below.
Nantucket, MA
Short-term rental regulation will take center stage at Nantucket’s May 2025 Annual Town Meeting, with several citizen warrant articles proposing differing approaches to managing this contentious issue.
Check out the complete Citizen Warrant Articles.
Proposals by Patricia Wright and Fritz McClure seek to tie short-term rental allowances to owner occupancy, with additional limits on the number of properties an owner can rent. Matthew Peel’s article proposes capping short-term rentals at 1,350 properties for three years and limiting rentals to 70 days annually, framing it as a temporary measure to gather data for future regulations. Meanwhile, Caroline Baltzer’s proposal focuses on legitimizing short-term rentals island-wide by defining them explicitly in the zoning code and requiring compliance with health and safety standards.
Preview of (B) Patricia Wright, (F) Frederick McClure, (G) Matthew Peel, and (X) Caroline Baltzer's Short-Term Rental Proposals. Read the full articles here.
Check out the 2025 Annual Town Meeting Timeline to know more.
Manistee, MI
Manistee City Council continues to face community pressure over short-term rentals, with residents sharing strong opinions during last week’s meeting.
```Following an earlier decision to postpone action on a short-term rental ordinance, Janet Czarnecki emphasized the need for balanced regulations and recommended public input through surveys or community meetings.
"The local unit of government here needs to establish reasonable rules and regulations that offer a balance allowing short-term rentals in ways that keep all property owners in mind. The city needs to engage with residents and property owners to collect some feedback." Janet Czarnecki said. Huron Daily Tribune
The city has already taken steps to better monitor short-term rentals by contracting with Granicus for $6,903 annually to identify rental properties and train staff.
Check out Manistee's Residential Rental Properties Ordinance.
For more information, read about Manistee's Rental Inspection Program here.
New Braunfels, TX
During its Nov. 25 meeting, the New Braunfels City Council unanimously approved special use permits for two properties to operate as short-term rentals: 475 and 479 Barcelona Dr., and 381 Tolle St.
```The city ordinance requires council approval to ensure public hearings for such decisions. The Barcelona Drive property features a main residence and a separate structure with its own address, adjacent to residential lots and six other approved rentals in close proximity. Similarly, the Tolle Street home, accommodating up to eight guests, sits near Market Plaza with 31 other short-term rentals within half a mile.
Jamestown, RI
The town council will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 2, to review short-term rental applications for 41 Top O The Mark Drive, 46 Steamboat St., and 76 Frigate St., with a public hearing available for any residents wishing to voice concerns.
```If no objections are made, the applications may be approved without further discussion per the ordinance. A separate hearing for the contested 36 Cole St. application is scheduled for Dec. 16, where 2 Westwood Road will also be reviewed.
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