By Genelaine Urbano in Legal — 01 Dec 2025

Daily Regulatory Notes 12/01/2025

Cities address STRs. Arizona discusses enforcement; Evanston, IL extends moratorium; Austin, TX hires Deckard Technologies; Ocean City, MD assesses rule changes; Yucca Valley, CA & Fayetteville, AR update rules; Rapid City, SD advances ordinance; Talbot County, MD. READ MORE.

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. 📰

Arizona

Sedona’s attempt to block short-term rentals in mobile home parks was struck down by the Arizona Court of Appeals, which ruled that mobile homes are dwelling units protected under state STR law.

The decision came after Oak Creek Mobile Home Park challenged the city’s refusal to issue STR licenses for its units. The judges said Sedona misinterpreted the statute by focusing on the space rather than the home itself. The case has been remanded for further proceedings.

Evanston, IL

Evanston has extended its moratorium on new and renewed vacation rental licenses until early March as officials prepare to finalize new short-term rental limits.

The proposed ordinance would cap vacation rentals at one for every 80 long-term rental units, allowing a maximum of about 180 citywide. It would also require property managers to live in Evanston or have an office within 10 miles. The council delayed a final vote until mid-January to allow more discussion.

Austin, TX

The Austin City hired Deckard Technologies to manage both enforcement and licensing upgrades, with contracts totaling more than $2.4 million over five years.

Officials say the overhaul aligns the STR program with recent court rulings while improving tax collection and helping inspectors respond more quickly to violations. A modernized self-service licensing portal is also planned to replace the slower, email-based system currently in place.

Ocean City, MD

Short-term rental regulations returned to the forefront in Ocean City as council members met to assess potential rule changes through an internal survey.

Community feedback remains split: some residents report safety concerns related to rapid renter turnover, while others argue the local economy depends on unrestricted vacation rentals. The council is weighing options such as one-renter-per-week limits, seven-night minimum stays, and ownership caps on rental properties. Opponents note that voters already rejected stricter rules in July and question why the issue is resurfacing.

City Council

Dec 4, 2025 - 6:00 PM

Ocean City

Local Council meeting. Vote scheduled? TBD.

STRisker Calendar Tracker

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Yucca Valley, CA

Yucca Valley commissioners received an update on short-term rentals, including a new online GIS map that displays all active STR permits.

The tool allows residents to search properties by parcel or address, improving transparency and public access to permit information. Commissioners praised the map’s clarity and usefulness.

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Read more about Yucca Valley Short-Term Rental here.

Fayetteville, AR

City officials are considering updates to their short-term rental ordinance, including reduced occupancy limits and new density controls for Type II rentals.

The amendments would shift occupancy to two guests per bedroom and introduce a defined spacing rule prohibiting new Type II units within 100 feet of another rental. A 4% density cap within a 500-foot radius would also apply. The council may eliminate the ordinance’s expiring sunset clause, making the rules permanent while grandfathering existing operators.

Rapid City, SD

Rapid City’s Short-Term Rental Advisory Committee has advanced a proposed ordinance to address the growing number of vacation home rentals and related neighborhood complaints.

The measure, now headed to the full city council, aims to regulate rentals that currently fall outside city zoning rules. The committee also noted that fewer than 1% of vacation rentals hold the required state lodging license, raising safety concerns.

Talbot County, MD

Talbot County residents and short-term rental operators clashed over proposed legislation, Bill 1622, which would impose new restrictions on rentals in village neighborhoods.

The legislation has been pared down, removing requirements such as seven-night minimum stays and mandatory landlines, but would still require rental owners to attend public hearings for new licenses and create two classes of licenses. The County Council could vote on the bill at its Dec. 9 meeting, but a third vote for passage has yet to materialize.