Short-Term Rentals: Weekly Briefing | September 28 - October 1, 2026 (39)
This Week's STRs. Atlanta, GA drops residency rule; Rochester, NY sets zero cap; Maui County, HI refers rezoning; Bellingham, WA ADU ban struck; Chatham County, GA, Annapolis, MD, Gilpin County, CO adopt rules; Jim Thorpe, PA denies; Texas; Florida. READ MORE.
🔝 Top Stories
- Atlanta, GA: City Council voted 9-5 to remove residency language from its March 2021 ordinance so enforcement can begin in January 2027.
- Rochester, NY: The town board unanimously set a zero cap on new non-owner-occupied short-term rental permits for 2027.
- Maui County, HI: The County Council voted 5-4 on September 29 to refer two rezoning bills covering 32 vacation rental condominium complexes in Māʻalaea, Kīhei and West Maui to the Maui Planning Commission under Resolution 26-129.
- Bellingham, WA: Whatcom County Superior Court Judge Robert Olson ruled the city's ban on short-term rentals of detached accessory dwelling units unconstitutional on September 23.
- Texas: Comptroller Don Huffines signed an executive order removing marketplace and platform fees for services including short-term rentals from taxable data processing services.
- Florida: Using forged financial documents or another person's name to obtain a rental home became a third-degree felony on October 1 under CS/HB 1293.
- New York, NY: Chambers of commerce from Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island and other boroughs urged Council Speaker Julie Menin to support a proposal that lifts some restrictions while keeping the primary residence requirement.
📍 Regional Highlights
- Peninsula, OH: Issue 47 heads to voters on November 3 as an advisory measure that would ban most short-term rentals except those where owners occupy the property during guest stays.
- Dunes City, OR: A November 3 initiative would end new short-term rental permits and require on-site hosts at existing rentals.
- Yolo County, CA: Measure X would raise the transient occupancy tax from 8% to 12% for hotels, Airbnb rentals and stays of 30 days or less starting January 1, 2027.
- Carmel, IN: A judge ruled on September 24 that the city does not have to pay legal fees to a short-term rental owner it previously sued.
- Hocking County, OH: Twenty homeowners refiled a lawsuit against Palm Side Paradise LLC seeking to permanently shut down a 16-guest rental in the Brad-Mer Acres subdivision.
- Dunkirk, NY: Residents reiterated objections to a Woodlands Drive rental at a Town board meeting even though short-term rentals have been banned in R-1 districts since July 2023.
- Jim Thorpe, PA: The zoning hearing board voted 5-0 to deny short-term rental approvals for three units at the Charles Albright Mansion at 66 Broadway.
- Maryville, MO: City Council unanimously rejected a special use permit for a short-term rental on September 28 following neighborhood opposition.
- Jeffersonville, IN: Residents continue to oppose investor home purchases after the city extended its regulated rental zone to areas off Utica Pike including Arctic Springs.
✅ New Ordinances Approved
- Chatham County, GA: Commissioners unanimously approved a 5% cap on non-owner-occupied short-term rentals in designated neighborhoods on September 25 and ended the 120-day moratorium on new applications.
- Annapolis, MD: City Council voted on September 28 to raise the maximum fine for short-term rental violations from $1,000 to $5,000 under Resolution R-33-26.
- Gilpin County, CO: The Board of County Commissioners adopted Ordinance 26-01 on September 22 to replace the county's 2022 rules with a two-tier licensing system and a ban on wood-burning fires at rentals.
- Mesquite, NV: City Council adopted Ordinance B26-007 on September 22 to make vacation home rentals a permitted use in residential areas and unanimously declined the Master Plan Committee's proposed ban and moratorium.
💬 Catch Up on Discussions
- Cleveland Heights, OH: City Council listed Ordinance 190-2023 for a fourth reading on September 22 as the city weighs a new Chapter 769 requiring annual registration and a 50% cap on rentals in multifamily buildings.
- Shiloh, IL: The Board of Trustees unanimously approved five Special Use Permits that let existing units at 1722 Cross Street and 213 East Street keep operating.
- Folly Beach, SC: City Council will award the contract for a $50,000 winter study of six possible changes to the short-term rental cap after four firms responded by the September 28 deadline.
- Island County, WA: Commissioner Melanie Bacon said the board plans to implement a short-term rental permitting system in 2027 since no countywide rules currently govern rentals.
- Encinitas, CA: City Council gave initial 4-0 approval to amendments extending permits from one year to three years ahead of a required second vote.
- Westfield, IN: An ordinance requiring short-term rental permits with a $150 fee was introduced on September 28 with a January 2027 start date.
- Kittitas County, WA: The Planning Commission will continue its hearing on proposed short-term rental regulations within the 2026 Land Development Code updates.
- Cassadaga, NY: The village Planning Board is reviewing the rental renewal process including the $250 resubmission fee and how often inspections are required.
- Saranac Lake, NY: A temporary moratorium on new short-term rentals under Bill 168-2026 went to public hearing on September 28 after the board advanced it 4-0.
- San Luis Obispo County, CA: About 100 residents attended a Cayucos town hall on September 26 where a 50-foot spacing rule holding the community at about 305 permitted vacation rentals drew scrutiny.
- Scottsdale, AZ: City Council candidates debated water, development and short-term rentals in the first of two forums before the November 3 general election.
📅 Future Meetings
- Westfield, IN: Council takes a final vote on the permit ordinance October 12.
- Folly Beach, SC: City Council awards the cap study contract October 13.
- Kittitas County, WA: Planning Commission hearing resumes in Ellensburg October 13.
- Scottsdale, AZ: Second candidate debate October 19.
- Peninsula, OH: Voters weigh in on Issue 47 November 3.
- Dunes City, OR: Short-term rental initiative on the ballot November 3.
- Yolo County, CA: Measure X goes before voters November 3.
🖱️ Click of the Week: See What Everyone’s Reading
Carly Winchell
📱 Social Buzz
🎤 Episode Title: How Harold Collins Pivoted AroundAirbnb Restrictions and Built an 18-Property Rental Portfolio
🎤 Episode: Real Estate Pros Show - Powered By Investor Fuel
📻 Listen: https://if-audio.libsyn.com/how-harold-collins-pivoted-around-airbnb-restrictions-and-built-an-18-property-rental-portfolio
Washington State
— S.A. Dupres (@Susan_Dupres) October 1, 2026
City of Bellingham
SHORT TERM RENTAL BAN
Judge rules in favor of Bellingham couple in ADU lawsuit
The ruling still keeps a ban on short-term rentals in effect.
Oct. 1, 2026
A judge has ruled in favor of a Bellingham couple who challenged the city’s ban on… pic.twitter.com/D02wf4ppJV
Birmingham short-term rental rules move toward vote, but zoning questions remainhttps://t.co/ruKQIXXPoK
— ABC 33/40 News (@abc3340) October 2, 2026
Nantucket Update on Local Registration for Short-Term Rentals - https://t.co/be4g3ppGYK
— Great Point Properties (@NantucketSales) October 1, 2026
Agenda item 8, LEGISLATIVE GROUPING - ZONING DOCKET NO. 59/26 - KRYSTYNA TATE
— #PutHousingFirst (@GNOHA) October 1, 2026
Brief: Requesting a conditional use to permit a commercial short-term rental in an HU-MU zoning district, on Square 425, Lots 15 and 16, in the Sixth Municipal District, bounded by ..
cities are tightening this too. alameda, across the bay from sf, takes a final vote oct 6 on limiting new short-term rentals to a host's own primary home. a lot fewer whole-house listings if it passes.
— Houseberry.com (@Houseberry_Team) October 2, 2026
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