Short-Term Rentals: Daily Notes | August 20, 2026
Cities address STRs. Harrietstown, NY inspections proposed; Empire, MI hearing set; St. Pete Beach, FL registration weighed; Pitkin County, CO cap-and-lottery; Loomis, CA rules considered; Wells, ME permits drafted; Denison, TX; Folly Beach, SC; Saugatuck, MI; Tuscola Township, MI. READ MORE.
HARRIETSTOWN, NY
Safety compliance checks would become mandatory for all short-term rentals under a law now being considered in Harrietstown. Officials outlined the proposal ahead of an August 27 work session where owners would either sign an affidavit or undergo inspection for smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and emergency egress.
Check on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AdkEnterprise/posts/pfbid02J9JhUqwcNYzFwoXSA29X9FxU86ttVcSfik4zwoWcBZ1ZAc8p8EwzYRd9WVccy8ool
The measure would also prohibit new construction built exclusively for STR use though accessory dwelling units rented for supplemental income would remain allowed if owner-occupied. Supervisor Jordanna Mallach said the town does not plan its own registry. Franklin County already collects a 5% occupancy tax on STR stays.
EMPIRE, MI
The Village Council in Empire will hold a public hearing on August 25 at Empire Township Hall to gather comments on a proposed short-term rental registration ordinance. The council voted 5-2 in July to schedule the hearing with Trustees Meg Walton and March Dye opposed.
The proposed ordinance would require STR owners to register with the village but would not cap the number of rentals for at least the first two years while officials gather data on how many operate locally.
ST. PETE BEACH, FL
Enforcement of vacation rental rules took center stage in St. Pete Beach on August 19 as city commissioners weighed a registration program for short-term rentals. Most areas of the city prohibit stays under 30 days and approved districts permit only three rentals per year.
St. Pete Beach commissioners considered whether to create a registration program Wednesday night for short-term rentals, as the city looks for ways to enforce its existing restrictions. https://t.co/2YF7m4qZA9 pic.twitter.com/ayz9mI4E46
— WFLA NEWS (@WFLA) August 20, 2026
St. Pete Beach is not moving ahead, at least for now, with a new registration program for short-term rentals after commissioners questioned whether it would solve the city’s biggest enforcement problems. https://t.co/fJoVa1JlMJ
— FOX 13 Tampa Bay (@FOX13News) August 20, 2026
Vice Mayor Lisa Robinson backed registration and said fees would fund the program while offsetting code enforcement costs, but not everyone agreed with the approach. Commissioner Karen Marriott questioned why anyone running an illegal rental would register it and Commissioner Al Causey pushed for researching AI-powered enforcement tools instead, so staff will study feasibility before any vote.
PITKIN COUNTY, CO
Sweeping revisions to short-term rental rules in Pitkin County took centre stage at an August 18 work session where commissioners reviewed a consultant study recommending the county scrap its 2017 to 2022 rental history requirement. The proposal would replace the current tiered system with a cap-and-lottery model that limits licenses by geographic zone.
Two permit types would cover most of the county: a general permit would allow 120 nights per year while an uncapped owner-occupied permit would allow 30 nights; Redstone would keep its own 180-night permit.
Pitkin County’s August 18, 2026 work session packet summarizes the STR Impact Study’s findings and recommendations including proposed changes to licensing rules and permit types. Found in view the packet here.
LOOMIS, CA
The Town Council in Loomis opened formal discussion of short-term rentals at a special meeting after receiving complaints about unlicensed properties operating on platforms. Council members received an informational presentation outlining current conditions and possible regulatory options.
Town of Loomis Council Strategic Plan Update Workshop Agenda, August 13, 2026
Town of Loomis workshop agenda featuring discussion of short-term rentals (STRs) and potential regulatory options.
No ordinance currently governs short-term rentals in the Placer County town and any future rules would likely address permitting and enforcement. The discussion follows the town's launch of a resident questionnaire in late July 2026 asking whether short-term rentals should be allowed at all.
WELLS, ME
Wells took another step toward regulating short-term rentals on August 18, 2026 as the Select Board held a public hearing on a proposed ordinance with a joint hearing with the Planning Board to follow on September 1 at Town Hall. The draft would require owners to secure a use permit and certificate of occupancy from the town code enforcement officer before listing on Airbnb or Vrbo.
The proposal would also create an overlay district allowing rentals near Route 1 with limited exceptions.
DENISON, TX
Missing tax revenue drove city staff in Denison to propose a new collection model that will prompt Vrbo and Airbnb to collect the money at booking. The said proposal during the August 17, 2026 council meeting is influenced by data saying an estimated 60% of short-term rentals are not remitting hotel occupancy taxes.
Tourism Manager Jordan Starr told the council the amendment would change how the city collects the tax from short-term rentals. The shift would capture revenue that currently escapes the city's manual filing process.
FOLLY BEACH, SC
A special-called meeting on Aug. 19 will determine whether Folly Beach appeals a court ruling that struck down its cap on investor short-term rental permits. Circuit Judge Thomas J. Rode ruled last Aug. 14 that the cap and a related registration fee were illegally adopted under South Carolina law.
Folly Beach to vote on appealing short-term rental ruling and stop issuing new permits until 2027 https://t.co/zGuaavoYzN
— Holy City Sinner (@HolyCitySinner) August 19, 2026
City council will meet at Folly Beach City Hall to consider a resolution authorizing the appeal along with a temporary moratorium on new rental permits until a third-party study of the cap is complete. Without an appeal, the cap will expire after midnight on Aug. 24.
Jane Caroline Fusco
SAUGATUCK, MI
Short-term rental license holders in Saugatuck could gain far more time to file late renewals under an ordinance amendment reviewed at Wednesday's city council workshop on 19 August 2026. The change would replace the current five-day grace period with a 60-day window that extends 30 days past license expiration and would apply retroactively.
| Source: https://www.saugatuckcity.com/
The amendment stems from a property owner's request to accommodate renewal applications filed after a license lapses. No decisions were made at the workshop and council will take the matter up at Monday's business meeting.
Saugatuck's Short Term Rental Page
TUSCOLA TOWNSHIP, MI
Operators of short-term rentals in Tuscola Township now face a formal application and approval process under Ordinance 2026-01 which the Board of Trustees adopted on August 10 by a 4-1 vote. Applicants must submit emergency contacts, details covering safety and guest capacity, and parking/ lighting/signage requirements, with building and septic approval still a requirement before operating.
Tuscola Township STR Ordinance Update
Official township document sets updated zoning regulations including new requirements and standards for short-term rentals and bed-and-breakfast operations.
The amendment which became effective eight days after publication classifies short-term rentals as a permitted use in every zoning district and updates bed-and-breakfast rules to align with the new framework.
📱 Social Buzz
🎤 Episode Title: Short-Term Rentals in 2026: What Actually Works Today with Tony Robinson
🎤 Episode: Real Wealth Show: Real Estate Investing Podcast
📻 Listen: https://realwealth.com/real-wealth-show-podcast/?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Real%20Wealth%20Show&utm_campaign=2022
Stefan Velikov
Ryan Gamboa
El Dorado County moves to loosen west slope vacation rental rules — here’s why https://t.co/FnzkuCRmxr
— The Sacramento Bee (@sacbee_news) August 20, 2026
Onondaga County knows the address of every short-term rental. Its own law bars telling you.
— CNY Signal (@SignalCNY) August 19, 2026
DeWitt writes its rules Sept 28 without that data:https://t.co/dmbBBaOYlO
As Greenville County tries to regulate short-term rentals like Airbnb and VRBO, one question lingers: How would they be enforced? https://t.co/PowYGdtrYq
— Post and Courier Greenville (@PCGreenville) August 19, 2026
Video: Listen to proposed Common Council bills meant to regulate short-term rentals https://t.co/QOTxwqtcog
— South Bend Tribune (@SBTribune) August 20, 2026
Montgomery City Council delays vote on ordinance regulating short-term rentals
— 1819 News (@1819News) August 19, 2026
By @CalebTTaylor https://t.co/FfjRrl55ct
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