Weekly Regulatory Briefing (1)
Each week, we bring together the biggest updates in short-term rental regulations from coast to coast. Whether it’s fresh local regulations, emerging trends, or major discussions, our briefing provides all you need to stay in the know.
Each week, we bring together the biggest updates in short-term rental regulations from coast to coast. Whether it’s fresh local regulations, emerging trends, or major discussions, our briefing provides all you need to stay in the know.
🏡 Top Stories This Week
- 🍊 Citrus Heights, CA: Facing low compliance rates among short-term rental (STRs) operators, the City of Citrus Heights has introduced a new online payment portal to encourage adherence to its licensing and tax regulations.
- 🕴️ Mission, KS: Starting January 1, Mission, Kansas, will implement its short-term rental ordinance, mandating a $500 annual license fee and requiring all operators to submit an application.
- 🏞️ Woodland Park, CO: The new short-term rental ordinance in Woodland Park, which was scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2025, has been delayed due to ongoing legal challenges.
🌍 Regional Highlights
- 🌴 Hawaii; A sharp decline in Hawaii's vacation rental demand highlights growing tensions between residents and the tourism industry. The latest HTA report reveals a 38.3% drop in demand and occupancy falling to 48.4% compared to pre-pandemic levels, as stricter regulations loom.
Genelaine Urbano
Continue reading on Daily Notes 12/30/2024...
📜 New Ordinances Approved
- 🌇 Indianapolis, IN: Indianapolis has passed a new ordinance that will create a registry for rental owners and introduce a three-strike policy for disruptive actions.
💬 Catch Up on Discussions
- 🌵 Kingston, NY: Kingston is grappling with redefining "affordable" and "workforce housing" in its form-based zoning code amidst growing concerns about housing accessibility.
- 💧 Franklin, NH: The Franklin Legislative Committee is tackling issues with short-term rentals around Webster Lake after residents raised concerns about noise, illegal parking, and disturbances.
- 🚋 Birmingham, AL: Birmingham city officials are debating new regulations for short-term rentals, spurred by growing complaints and safety concerns.
- 🏗️ Nantucket, MA: Nantucket’s ongoing battle over short-term rental (STRs) regulations highlighted deep divisions within the community, with no comprehensive policy agreed upon despite repeated Town Meetings.
Genelaine Urbano
Continue reading on Daily Notes 12/30/2024...
- 📎 Norfolk, VA: Norfolk is proposing updates to its short-term rental regulations, including operator certifications, expedited permit renewals, and a rapid response team for violations.
- 📒 Ithaca, NY: Ithaca's Common Council reviewed the city's short-term rental (STR) regulations, adopted in May 2024 to address the housing shortage. Starting in 2025, STR operators will need permits.
Genelaine Urbano
Continue reading on Daily Notes 01/02/2025...
- 🗺️ Petersburg, VA: Petersburg is considering new regulations for short-term rentals, as the Planning Commission will review a resolution on January 2 to amend the city's zoning ordinance.
- 🚞 Mount Desert, ME: Short-term rental bookings in 2024 reached record highs on Mount Desert Island, particularly around Acadia National Park, with Bar Harbor's listings surpassing its ordinance cap.
- 🚨 Burlington, VT; Burlington is finalizing a short-term rental bylaw on Jan. 13 to secure federal funding for enforcement and hire two dedicated bylaw officers.
- 🎩 Austin, TX: Austin is set to review and potentially overhaul its short-term rental regulations in 2025, with updates expected by February. Key concerns include enforcement of existing rules, as only 15% of the city’s estimated 15,000 rentals hold the required license.
- 🌃 National City, CA: National City is moving toward regulating its short-term rental (STR) market. Residents and officials have reported issues, including violent crimes and large parties, prompting the City Council to seek a better understanding of STR activity and policies like those in neighboring Chula Vista.
Let’s Explore: Emerging Trends 🌱
Communities are addressing short-term rental challenges through regulations, safety standards, and responsible hosting policies, aiming to balance economic benefits with neighborhood preservation and community well-being.
What this means:
📜 Increasing Focus on Licensing and Enforcement: Cities are doubling down on stricter licensing requirements and enforcement mechanisms to regulate short-term rentals effectively. Mission, KS, has implemented a $500 annual license fee, while Indianapolis introduced a registry and a three-strike rule for disruptive properties. Other municipalities like Austin, TX, and Norfolk, VA, are prioritizing the enforcement of existing regulations through measures like operator certifications and enhanced permit renewals. These trends highlight the growing emphasis on accountability and compliance among STR operators.
🚗 Community Concerns Driving Regulatory Overhauls: Community feedback continues to shape short-term rental regulations, with issues like noise complaints, illegal parking, and neighborhood disruptions frequently cited. In Birmingham, AL, city officials are considering caps on rentals and prohibitions in residential zones to address safety and quality-of-life concerns. Similarly, Franklin, NH, is drafting solutions to tackle disturbances near Webster Lake. These discussions underscore the importance of aligning regulations with the needs and expectations of local residents.
🧳 Balancing Tourism with Housing Accessibility: Tensions between tourism-driven short-term rentals and housing affordability remain a key concern for many cities. In Hawaii, declining STR demand reflects residents' dissatisfaction with the industry's impact on housing availability. Kingston, NY, is revisiting its zoning code to prioritize affordable housing, while Burlington, VT, is finalizing a bylaw to secure funding for enforcement. This trend points to a broader effort to address housing shortages while managing the economic benefits of tourism responsibly.
📅 Future Meetings and Public Hearings/Comments:
- Franklin, NH: The Franklin Legislative Committee is tackling issues with short-term rentals around Webster Lake after residents raised concerns about noise, illegal parking, and disturbances. While no action was taken, City Manager Judie Milner has convened a team of city officials to draft potential solutions including a possible ordinance to be reviewed by the City Council. A meeting is scheduled on January 7, 2025.
- Birmingham, AL: The City Council's Planning and Zoning Committee reviewed a draft ordinance on Dec. 11 and plans to revise it with public input before presenting it to the council in January 2025.
🎆 READ: STRisker's 2024 Year-end Highlights 🎆
Genelaine Urbano