Weekly Regulatory Briefing (18) 05/08/2026

🏡Top Stories This Week

• Huntsville, AL: The City of Huntsville has filed a lawsuit seeking to shut down several short-term rental properties allegedly operating in residential zones where such uses are prohibited.
• Liberty Township, OH: A shooting at a short-term rental in Liberty Township is intensifying enforcement efforts after officials said the property was operating despite a local ban on rentals under 30 days.

🌍 Regional Highlights

• Arizona: Efforts to reform Arizona’s short-term rental laws are on hold again this year after a key bill, HB 2429, failed to receive a Senate hearing, delaying potential changes that would have given cities more tools to regulate problematic rentals
• Oklahoma: Leaders in The Village are moving forward with a proposal to impose a 9% lodging tax on short-term rentals, with voters set to decide the measure in an Aug. 25 special election.
• South Carolina: Lawmakers in South Carolina are moving forward with a bill that could reshape tax collection for short-term rentals, particularly affecting property managers.
• Michigan: Michigan State University Extension is offering two upcoming webinars aimed at helping local government officials understand policy options for regulating short-term rentals.

📜 New Ordinances Approved

• Craig, CO: Craig City Council has approved a new short-term rental ordinance establishing a basic regulatory framework focused on registration, marking the city’s first formal step toward tracking STR activity.
• Beaufort, SC: Beaufort City Council has unanimously approved a new ordinance capping short-term rentals, limiting them to 3% of parcels in the historic district and 4% in other neighborhoods after months of resident complaints about noise, traffic, and “party house” behavior.
• Plainfield, IL: Plainfield officials have voted to freeze the village’s 5% hotel/motel tax through April 30, 2027, as they reassess how short-term rentals should be regulated and taxed.

💬 Catch Up on Discussions

• Brooklyn, NY: A new short-term rental proposal in Brooklyn aims to carve out limited flexibility for homeowners, as Councilmember Mercedes Narcisse introduces the Homeowner Stability and Protection Act to allow tightly controlled, owner-occupied rentals within New York City’s existing framework under Local Law 18.
• Valley County, ID: A proposal in Valley County to indirectly manage short-term rental impacts by limiting home size has been rejected by commissioners, who cited concerns over property rights despite ongoing complaints about large homes being used for events and high-occupancy stays.
• Los Angeles, CA: Los Angeles voters will decide on Measure TT this June, a proposal to increase the city’s transient occupancy tax from 14% to 16% through 2028, directly impacting both hotels and short-term rentals booked for under 30 days.
• Encinitas, CA: Encinitas officials are holding firm on their existing short-term rental rules, voting to keep the current three-night minimum stay for non-hosted rentals while continuing negotiations with the California Coastal Commission, which had pushed for a two-night minimum.
• Anchorage, AK: Anchorage has officially opened registration for short-term rental operators, giving current hosts until July 30 to comply with a new city requirement adopted in December.
• Schenectady County, NY: Schenectady County has launched a mandatory online registry for short-term rental operators, requiring all hosts to register and obtain a Certificate of Authority in order to legally collect and remit occupancy taxes.
• Austin, TX: Austin officials report early success from a major overhaul of short-term rental regulations, with increased compliance and rising hotel occupancy tax revenue following stricter rules adopted in 2025.
• Orange County, CA: Cities across Orange County are ramping up short-term rental regulations ahead of the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics, with new rules and enforcement measures targeting neighborhood impacts and compliance.
• Jamaica Beach, TX: A federal judge has partially blocked enforcement of Jamaica Beach’s new short-term rental ordinance, preventing the city from applying rules that restrict how first-floor space below flood elevation can be counted or advertised in occupancy calculations.
• Viroqua, WI: Housing officials are proposing new short-term rental restrictions that would limit rentals under seven days to 210 days per year and explore caps on the total number of permits issued.
• Logan, OH: A group of homeowners in Logan is asking a court to reinstate their lawsuit against a company operating a short-term rental in their subdivision, arguing the use violates residential-only covenants.
• Joseph, OR: Joseph city officials are set to hold a final reading on a proposal to increase the transient lodging tax, which applies to short-term rentals, from 3% to 5%, with a potential July 1 implementation.
• Mesquite, NV: Efforts to regulate short-term rentals in Mesquite remain in limbo after city council members tabled a proposed ordinance amid internal disagreements and legal concerns.
• Seal Beach, CA: Seal Beach officials are considering updates to parking rules partly in response to complaints about short-term rentals contributing to neighborhood congestion, though final approval has been delayed after the item was pulled from a recent council agenda.
• Nashville, TN: A North Nashville neighborhood is stepping up efforts to remove short-term rentals, citing concerns that investor-owned properties are eroding community stability and increasing nuisance issues.
• Stillwater, OK: Stillwater officials are moving closer to adopting stricter short-term rental regulations aimed at improving oversight and preserving neighborhood character as STR activity continues to grow across the city.
• Southold, NY: Southold Town is preparing to let its nearly two-year hotel moratorium expire in June as officials move ahead with broader zoning updates tied to short-term rentals, housing, and development regulations.
• Palm Springs, CA: Palm Springs officials are considering a voluntary sustainability badge program for short-term rentals and tourism businesses as part of broader discussions around waste reduction and environmental compliance.
• Monterey County, CA: Monterey County officials said more than 200 short-term rental applications have been submitted since the county’s vacation rental ordinance took effect, with dozens of permits already approved across multiple rental categories.
• Valdosta, GA: Valdosta officials are beginning the process of regulating short-term rentals after months of public backlash and community workshops centered on noise, parties, traffic, safety concerns and the impact STRs are having on residential neighborhoods.
• Mountain Home, AR: The Mountain Home City Council is set to review amendments to the city’s short-term rental ordinance that would adjust how and when STR operators renew their licenses, continuing the city’s ongoing efforts to regulate vacation rentals operating through platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo.
• Indianapolis, IN: Community members and local officials in Indianapolis are calling for stricter oversight of short-term rentals after a fatal shooting at an Airbnb property on North Park Avenue, where a 38-year-old woman was killed during an incident involving dozens of people and more than 80 gunshots.

📲 Social Buzz

📅 Future Meetings and Public Hearings/Comments:

• McFarland, WI McFarland officials are moving forward with tighter short-term rental restrictions after a packed and contentious public meeting, voting to advance proposed ordinance changes to the Plan Commission for further review and a public hearing.

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

Beaufort approves new short-term rental rules after months of debate - The Island News

After months of debate, revisions and public input, Beaufort City Council gave final approval April 28 to a new ordinance regulating short-term rentals, establishing caps, enforcement rules and operating standards across the city.

The Island News - Local News for Beaufort, SC and the Sea IslandsMike McCombs

Beaufort approves new short-term rental rules after months of debate

Beaufort City Council approved a new short-term rental ordinance establishing caps, spacing requirements, licensing rules, and enforcement measures after months of debate and public input.

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