Weekly Regulatory Briefing (22)
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
- Claremont, CA: Claremont officially lifts its long-standing ban on short-term rentals as the City Council passes a temporary ordinance on May 13, set to take effect June 12 and expire in one year.
🌍 Regional Highlights
- New York: After Memorial Day, a new statewide short-term rental law takes effect in New York requiring platforms like Airbnb and VRBO to report granular data to county governments—including booking dates, property locations, and occupancy tax amounts.
- Idaho: The Idaho Supreme Court unanimously struck down a Lava Hot Springs ordinance that restricted non-owner-occupied short-term rentals in residential zones, ruling it violates the state’s 2017 Short-term Rental and Vacation Rental Act.
- Hawaii: Hawaii is set to become the first state to use a dedicated lodging tax to fund environmental protection and climate adaptation.
📜 New Ordinances Approved
- Laketown Township, MI: Laketown Township has issued a six-month freeze on new short-term rental permits for full homes amid concerns that rising investor activity is eroding year-round housing.
- Parksville, MO: Parkville’s Board of Aldermen unanimously voted to temporarily ease its strict short-term rental rules from May 1 to July 31, 2026 to accommodate visitors for the World Cup.
- Saranac Lake, NY: Saranac Lake’s board of trustees has approved updates to its 2023 short-term rental rules in response to growing concerns about housing shortages.
💬 Catch Up on Discussions
- Ithaca, NY: Ithaca’s short-term rental law fully kicks in on June 1, introducing strict new rules just ahead of the city’s busy summer season.
- Orange County, CA: Orange County cities continue to wrestle with the rise of short-term rentals, and a new Grand Jury report brings fresh insight to the debate.
- Hacienda Heights, CA: Tensions are rising in a quiet Hacienda Heights neighborhood where residents say a short-term rental is operating in blatant violation of Los Angeles County’s ordinance.
- Goleta, CA: Goleta is preparing to adopt new short-term rental restrictions despite data showing little current impact on the city’s housing market.
- Hawaii County, HI: Hawaiʻi County Council is moving forward with Bill 47, a proposal that would require all short-term rental properties—including those listed on platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo—to register with the county’s finance department.
- Williamstown, MA: Williamstown voters adopted a 90-day annual cap on most short-term rentals as part of a broader effort to prevent investor-owned STRs from removing housing stock from local buyers and renters.
- New Orleans, LA: A bill to raise short-term rental taxes in New Orleans advanced out of committee at the Louisiana Capitol.
- Avon, CO: The Town Council voted 5-1 to advance a proposal that would allow The Kestrel, a 24-unit luxury townhome development, to be added to the town’s short-term rental overlay.
- Dana Point, CA: Dana Point is adjusting its short-term rental oversight, letting staff approve lower-risk permits and contracting with Deckard Technologies to catch illegal rentals.
🌱 Let’s Explore: Emerging Trends
The short-term rental landscape is rapidly evolving as cities and states adopt new tools and strategies to manage growth, ensure fairness, and address housing concerns. The following trends highlight how local and state leaders are adapting in real time:
🗽 States and Courts Are Shaping STR Boundaries: State-level laws and court rulings are playing a bigger role in defining the future of short-term rentals. New York’s upcoming mandate for platforms like Airbnb to report detailed booking data signals a shift toward tighter, statewide oversight, while Idaho’s Supreme Court decision to strike down a local STR ban reinforces the legal protections granted under state law. These developments highlight how the balance of power in regulating STRs is increasingly influenced by higher-level legal frameworks, limiting what individual cities can enforce.
✏️ Temporary Rules Are Gaining Favor for Flexibility: Municipalities are turning to temporary ordinances and trial periods as a flexible way to manage STRs. Claremont, CA has lifted its ban with a one-year ordinance, while Parkville, MO is temporarily easing restrictions for a specific tourism event. Laketown Township, MI also enacted a six-month permit freeze amid housing concerns. These short-term measures allow cities to respond quickly to changing conditions without committing to permanent policies before testing their impact.
🌇 STR Oversight Expands Through Local Adjustments: Cities are fine-tuning local short-term rental oversight to address neighborhood-level concerns and improve enforcement. Williamstown, MA introduced a 90-day annual cap to curb investor ownership, while Dana Point, CA streamlined permit reviews and boosted enforcement tools. Meanwhile, Roswell, GA is preparing to require annual inspections, and Somers Point, NJ may raise the minimum stay requirement to reduce turnover-related disruptions. This trend reflects a more granular approach, with local governments customizing regulations to fit community needs and enforcement capabilities.
📅 Future Meetings and Public Hearings/Comments:
- Roswell, GA: Roswell officials are preparing to adopt new short-term rental regulations that aim to improve safety for visitors by mandating annual inspections. The City Council is expected to vote on final adoption June 9, with an effective date of January 1, 2026.
- Somers Point, NJ: Somers Point City Council narrowly voted 5-2 to introduce a measure that would increase the minimum stay at short-term rentals from three nights to seven, aiming to reduce neighborhood disruptions tied to frequent guest turnover. With a second reading scheduled for June 12, city officials are now inviting public input.
🖱️ Click of the Week: See What Everyone’s Reading
Dawson Damico
Bayou Jack residents frustrated with issues with poor services and enforcement
Bayou Jack residents in Iberia Parish, Louisiana, are voicing deep frustration over persistent problems like crime, illegal dumping, and increased traffic they link to the rise of unregulated short-term rentals. Despite ongoing complaints and a lack of zoning enforcement, parish officials have yet to act, leaving residents feeling abandoned by their local government.
Stay Updated with STRisker
STRisker offers tools and features to keep you updated with the Short-Term Rental movement across the U.S.
STRisker News Tracker
Trying to keep up with STR regulations across multiple cities and states? Our News Tracker makes it easier than ever. Filter by location, search a comprehensive database, and sort by impact level—this tool helps you focus on what matters most.
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