Weekly Regulatory Briefing (14)
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
- 🏙️ Richmond Heights, OH: Richmond Heights City Council unanimously passed a resolution opposing Ohio Senate Bill 104 which would limit local control over short-term rental regulations.
- 🏖️ East Hampton, NY: Easthampton has temporarily suspended zoning enforcement on short-term rentals as city officials work to clarify regulations.
🌍 Regional Highlights
- 🏛️ Connecticut: On March 24, Connecticut’s HB-07238 advanced in a legislative hearing, moving closer to creating a state STR registry and permitting a municipal tax of up to 2.75% on rentals.
📜 New Ordinances Approved
- 🏡 Ontario, OR: Ontario has officially legalized short-term rentals under Ordinance No. 2837-2025, requiring operators to obtain permits, comply with city regulations, and pay a 10% transient occupancy tax.
- 🏘️ Peninsula Township, MI: Peninsula Township has amended its ordinance to impose fines for illegal short-term rentals, aiming for quicker enforcement without court delays.
- 🏢 Buffalo, NY: Buffalo’s Common Council has approved new short-term rental regulations that restrict future non-owner-occupied rentals to commercial and mixed-use zones while banning them from residential areas.
- 🚫 Mentor, OH: The City of Mentor has officially banned short-term rentals defining them as dwellings with five or fewer rooms rented for 30 days or less.
💬 Catch Up on Discussions
- 🌊 Niagara Falls, NY: The Niagara Falls City Council is set to reconsider a one-year extension for Granicus, the compliance firm monitoring short-term rental regulations and tax collection.
- 🌲 Humboldt County, CA: Humboldt County is adjusting its short-term rental (STR) ordinance through an adaptive management approach, granting special permits and amending regulations.
- 🏠 Milton, DE: Milton’s Planning Zoning Commission has finalized a draft ordinance regulating short-term rentals which will be sent to town council for review in April.
- 🌆 Houston, TX: Houston’s City Council voted on a new short-term rental ordinance that would require all STR operators to register with the city and follow strict regulations on noise, safety, and tax compliance.
- 🏖️ Fort Walton Beach, FL: Fort Walton Beach is refining a 20-page short-term rental ordinance ahead of its April 8 first reading.
- 🏙️ Atlanta, GA: Atlanta lawmakers are considering new short-term rental regulations to address disturbances, particularly in multifamily buildings.
- 🌴 Maui, HI: Maui Mayor Richard Bissen has proposed phasing out short-term rentals to address the island's severe housing shortage, worsened by the 2023 wildfires.
- 🎸 Memphis, TN: Memphis’ short-term rental ordinance passed in 2023 will take effect in July, but recent shootings at Airbnb properties have intensified calls for faster action.
- 🌆 Los Angeles, CA: The Los Angeles City Council has voted to strengthen enforcement against illegal short-term rentals, particularly those involving rent-controlled properties.
- 🎰 Clark County, NV: Clark County residents and officials continue to debate short-term rental enforcement as the county pledges a tougher stance on violations. Code enforcement officials announced plans to impose property liens for unpaid fines and contract a monitoring service to identify unlicensed rentals.
- 🏡 Park Township, MI: Park Township’s Zoning Board of Appeals held a public hearing on the township’s short-term rental ban with rental owners arguing for grandfather status under a 1974 zoning ordinance.
- ⛷️ Steamboat Springs, CO: Steamboat Springs is cracking down on illegal short-term rentals by targeting property managers who advertise unlicensed properties.
- 🏕️ Port Austin, MI: Port Austin has proposed three ordinances tightening rules on trailer coaches, RVs, and short-term rentals.
Let’s Explore: Emerging Trends 🌱
In response to the evolving short-term rental (STR) landscape, communities are taking action to manage emerging challenges. Stricter enforcement, legal battles, and neighborhood-focused policies illustrate how STR regulations continue to adapt and influence local areas.
What this means:
🗺️ Stricter Local Regulations & Zoning Enforcement: Cities and towns are increasingly imposing stricter zoning laws on short-term rentals, with some banning them entirely in residential areas. Buffalo, NY, and Mentor, OH, have moved to prohibit or heavily restrict non-owner-occupied STRs, while East Hampton, NY, has paused enforcement to reassess its zoning rules. This reflects a growing effort by municipalities to limit the spread of STRs in neighborhoods and preserve long-term housing availability.
🚗 Enhanced Compliance & Penalties: Many regions are shifting toward stronger enforcement mechanisms, including fines, tax collection measures, and third-party monitoring. Clark County, NV, is implementing property liens for unpaid STR fines, while Peninsula Township, MI, has introduced direct fines for illegal rentals. Cities like Los Angeles and Steamboat Springs, CO, are also taking action against unlicensed STR operators, demonstrating a move toward more aggressive compliance strategies.
🚫 State vs. Local Control Battles: The debate over state versus local authority in regulating STRs continues to intensify, with local governments pushing back against state-level preemption. Richmond Heights, OH, has opposed Senate Bill 104, which would limit municipal control over STR regulations, while Connecticut’s HB-07238 is advancing efforts to create a statewide STR registry and tax structure. These conflicts highlight the ongoing power struggle between state governments seeking uniform policies and localities fighting to maintain control over housing regulations.
📅 Future Meetings and Public Hearings/Comments:
- Park Township, MI: Officials postponed their decision until April 21 when another meeting will be held.
- West Stockbridge, MA: West Stockbridge officials are reviewing proposed amendments to the town’s short-term rental bylaw ahead of the May 5 Town Meeting.
- Alexandria, VA: The Alexandria Planning Commission will review a proposal on May 6 to redevelop the former Department of Community and Human Services building in Del Ray into a short-term rental complex with daycare and retail space.
🖱️ Click of the Week: See What Everyone’s Reading
Scott Miller
Is Eagle County too complex for a one-size-fits-all approach to short-term rental regulations?
The Eagle County is evaluating potential short-term rental regulations, considering the needs of various areas, from high-density resort zones to smaller communities. Discussions focus on whether a one-size-fits-all approach is feasible, with suggestions for either countywide registration or more targeted measures.