Weekly Regulatory Briefing (12) 03/20/2026

🏡Top Stories This Week

• Washington, DC: A new proposal in Washington could expand short-term rental opportunities by allowing renters to list their primary homes on platforms like Airbnb.
• Lafayette, LA: A federal judge has upheld a short-term rental ban in Lafayette after dismissing a lawsuit challenging the ordinance.

🌍 Regional Highlights

• Idaho: A new short-term rental bill approved by the Idaho Legislature is poised to reduce local regulatory control, with House Bill 583 sent to Brad Little for final consideration.

📜 New Ordinances Approved

• Johnson County, MO: Johnson County Board of County Commissioners approved new regulations for short-term rentals in unincorporated areas of the county ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
• Decatur, AL: Decatur has adopted a new regulatory framework for short-term rentals, with applications for operating certificates opening April 1.
• Blue Springs, MO: The Blue Springs City Council approved a new ordinance requiring short-term rental hosts to register annually with the city, with the rules taking effect immediately.

💬 Catch Up on Discussions

• New York City, NY: Business and tourism leaders are calling on officials in New York City to temporarily ease short-term rental restrictions ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and other major summer events.
• Kearny, NJ: The Town Council in Kearny has expanded its short-term rental ban to cover all residential properties, including apartments and multi-family homes.
• Sacramento, CA: Officials in Sacramento are considering new short-term rental regulations aimed at increasing permanent housing supply.
• Townsend, TN: Officials in Townsend are considering a six-month moratorium on new short-term rentals after discovering dozens of properties operating without a formal permit process.
• Salem, OR: Debate over short-term rental regulations is intensifying in Salem as hosts criticize high licensing costs and proposed tourism fees.
• Birmingham, AL: The City Council in Birmingham has postponed action on a long-debated short-term rental ordinance to allow more discussion on its potential impacts.
• Columbia, MO: The City Council in Columbia is reviewed the proposed updates to its short-term rental regulations during a March 16 work session.
• Lubec, ME: The Select Board in Lubec has voted to establish a committee to develop regulations for short-term rentals amid concerns about housing availability.
• Bowling Green, KY: Leaders in Bowling Green are taking a closer look at short-term rentals following complaints from residents about their impact on neighborhoods.
• Effingham, IL: The Plan Commission in Effingham has recommended updates to the city’s short-term rental regulations following discussions about unpermitted properties operating in restricted zones.
• Preble, NY: Leaders in Preble plan to revise the town’s zoning code after a previous effort to ban short-term rentals was overturned in court.
• Simi Valley, CA: The Simi Valley Planning Commission voted 4–0 to recommend a citywide ban on short-term rentals after a packed public hearing dominated by resident opposition.
• Newport, RI: The Newport City Council voted to send a package of proposed short-term rental restrictions back to a workshop, delaying a final decision after councilors debated whether the changes would effectively ban rentals in residential areas.
• Sarasota, FL: Sarasota has amended its short-term rental ordinance to cover the Downtown Neighborhood Zone after discovering the area had been unintentionally excluded from earlier regulations.
• Alpena, MI: Officials in Alpena are considering a proposed moratorium on new short-term rental registrations as the city studies long-term policy options.
• Columbia Falls, MT: Columbia Falls is considering major changes to its short-term rental regulations, including a potential shift to allowing permits only for primary residents.
• Beaufort, SC: The Beaufort City Council has advanced a revised short-term rental ordinance on first reading, introducing a citywide framework aimed at limiting clustering and standardizing regulation.
• Kingston, NY: Officials in Kingston are advancing plans for a local occupancy tax that would apply to short-term rentals and traditional lodging, following a 7-0 council vote to initiate the state approval process.
• Chincoteague, VA: The Chincoteague Planning Commission has recommended removing short-term rentals as a by-right use in R-1 residential districts.
• Hudson, NY: The Hudson Common Council is opting to keep its current short-term rental limits in place after its Legal Committee recommended against extending the annual cap from 60 to 120 days.
• Navarre, FL: The Navarre Beach Fire District is considering a major policy shift that would classify many short-term rentals as commercial properties, triggering higher fire assessment fees and additional safety requirements.

📲 Social Buzz

🎤 Episode Title: Living In: Running an AirBnb in Japan
🎤 Episode: Japan Real Estate

📻 Listen:https://podcast05d680.podigee.io/426-living-in-running-an-airbnb-in-japan

🎤 Episode Title: Why Midterm Rentals Are Winning in 2026 | Furnished Finder CEO Jeff Hurst Explains
🎤 Episode: Real Estate Pros Show - Powered By Investor Fue

📻 Listen:https://if-audio.libsyn.com/why-midterm-rentals-are-winning-in-2026-furnished-finder-ceo-jeff-hurst-explains

📅 Future Meetings and Public Hearings/Comments:

• Newport, RI

• Columbia Falls, MT:  The city council is expected to provide direction on the policy in April as it works toward a new ordinance by 2027.

• Effingham, IL: The City Council is expected to review the recommendation on April 7.

🖱️ Click of the Week: See What Everyone’s Reading

Commission recommends ban on short term rentals

A packed chamber and strong opposition from residents shaped a key decision on vacation rentals in Simi Valley as the city’s Planning Commission voted 4-0 March 4 to recommend a citywide ban on short-term rentals. The recommendation now goes to the Simi Valley City Council, which will decide whether STRs should be regulated or prohibited. The hearing was intended to <a href=“https://www.simivalleyacorn.com/articles/commission-recommends-ban-on-short-term-rentals/”>[…]</a>

Simi Valley Acornwpeditor

• Commission recommends ban on short term rentals

Simi Valley’s Planning Commission voted 4-0 to recommend a citywide ban on short-term rentals after strong resident opposition, citing neighborhood impacts, enforcement challenges, and high regulatory costs that would exceed projected tax revenue. The decision now moves to the City Council, which will weigh the ban against calls for further community input, including a proposed citywide survey.

• Short Term Accommodation Licencing

Short Term Accommodation Licencing

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