Weekly Regulatory Briefing (23)
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
- Wilmington, DE: A new lawsuit filed in Delaware federal court accuses Airbnb of unlawfully excluding shareholder resolutions from its June 4 proxy ballot.
🌍 Regional Highlights
- Arkansas: An Arkansas family is suing Airbnb after discovering a hidden camera disguised as a smoke detector above a bed in their Scottsdale rental, raising serious questions about guest privacy and platform oversight.
📜 New Ordinances Approved
- Patton Township, PA: Patton Township in Centre County has approved new regulations for short-term rentals in response to growing concerns about neighborhood safety and the loss of housing stock for permanent residents.
- Mayfield Heights, OH: Mayfield Heights took a decisive step toward short-term rental regulation this week, unanimously passing an ordinance that bans STRs of 30 days or less in all U-1 residential zones.
💬 Catch Up on Discussions
- South Lake Tahoe, CA: As South Lake Tahoe revisits short-term rental policy after Measure T’s reversal, the wider Tahoe Basin continues to wrestle with STR rules, impacts, and enforcement.
- Jacksonville Beach, FL: Jacksonville Beach residents are urging city leaders to take action on the growing number of short-term rentals that they say are overwhelming neighborhoods with constant turnover, disruptive guests, and safety concerns.
- Astoria, OR: The Astoria City Council approved the first reading of a new vacation rental licensing ordinance that includes a hard cap of 50 STRs, stricter rules, and licensing fees, aiming to preserve long-term housing.
- Houston, TX: In Houston's upscale Walden neighborhood, tensions have flared between a resident and his neighbor over a short-term rental property.
- Kansas City, KS: Rental managers in the Kansas City area are urging homeowners to start preparing now for a potential STR boom tied to the 2026 World Cup.
- West Fargo, ND: West Fargo’s City Commission passed the first reading of a short-term rental ordinance that would impose licensing requirements, limit rentals to primary residences, and restrict occupancy to five unrelated individuals—mirroring rules for long-term housing.
- Selbyville, DE: Selbyville officials are considering a formal ban on short-term rentals, citing the need to clarify town code that currently lacks a definition for such properties.
- Maui, HI: In response to the housing crisis intensified by the 2023 wildfires, Maui County officials are proposing to phase out 7,000 short-term rentals by 2026, aiming to free up units for local long-term housing.
- New Orleans, LA: New Orleans has officially opened the renewal period for Neighborhood Short-Term Rental (NSTR) licenses, which are set to expire on June 30.
- Orlando, FL: In Orlando, the city has tried to strike a middle ground with its 2018 short-term rental ordinance—but enforcement remains a concern.
- Portland, OR: Portland is tightening its grip on short-term rentals with higher fees and tougher penalties for Accessory Short-Term Rentals (ASTRs) starting July 1.
- Buncombe County, NC: Buncombe County has paused its short-term rental regulatory efforts in the wake of Hurricane Helene, offering a temporary reprieve to STR operators.
- Dewey Beach, DE: Dewey Beach is grappling with the regulatory gray area surrounding a houseboat recently listed as a short-term rental in the Rehoboth Bay Marina.
- Clayton, MO: Clayton may soon legalize short-term rentals for the first time, with a new ordinance under review that would allow limited rentals in downtown’s high-density commercial district.
- Cleveland, OH: Cleveland City Council is proposing sweeping changes to how short-term rentals operate, including banning stays over 30 days, requiring detailed licensing, limiting guest numbers, and capping density by location.
- Oneida, TN: Short-term rental hosts in Oneida, Tennessee will now need to collect a new 4% lodging tax from their guests, following the town’s decision to implement a hotel-motel tax aimed at funding local tourism development.
- National City, CA: National City is pushing forward—cautiously—on short-term rental regulation. An initial ordinance was presented to city council this week, aiming to bring oversight to an estimated 200 unregulated STRs that have drawn complaints over noise, crime, and tax losses.
- Middletown, RI: Middletown’s revised short-term rental ordinances—requiring owner occupancy and capping guest numbers—are beginning to show impact, as evidenced by two recent Zoning Board approvals.
- Pittsfield, MI: Pittsfield Township may soon begin drafting short-term rental regulations following strong community feedback during a recent town hall.
- Reno, NV: Short-term rental regulations are officially on the radar in Reno. At its June 4 meeting, City Council considered directing staff to begin crafting an STR ordinance—a move that could bring new rules for operators of vacation rentals.
- Preble, NY: The ongoing dispute over short-term rentals on Song Lake has reached the courts with several STR owners suing the Town of Preble after it enacted a December 2024 law requiring all rentals to cease within three years.
🌱 Let’s Explore: Emerging Trends
As short-term rental activity continues to expand and evolve, local governments are responding with sharper tools and broader strategies. This week’s developments highlight three key trends shaping the regulatory landscape—from stricter zoning controls to mounting legal disputes and a growing alignment between STR policy and long-term urban planning.
🏠 Rising Local Momentum for STR Regulation Through Targeted Zoning and Caps: Across the U.S., municipalities are increasingly turning to zoning restrictions, occupancy caps, and licensing frameworks to curb the spread of short-term rentals. Cities like Mayfield Heights, OH and Patton Township, PA have enacted outright bans or new zoning rules, while others such as Astoria, OR and Middletown, RI are capping the number of permitted STRs or enforcing stricter owner-occupancy rules.
⚖️ Enforcement and Legal Tensions Are Intensifying: From lawsuits filed by STR owners and residents to new enforcement teams, legal tensions around STR regulation are reaching a boiling point. In Delaware, Airbnb faces a shareholder lawsuit for allegedly blocking a resolution related to governance transparency, while Preble, NY is being sued by hosts after imposing a strict phase-out deadline. Meanwhile, cities like Halifax and Portland are boosting their enforcement capacity through new teams and increased fines.
🏦 STR Policy Becoming Tied to Broader Urban Planning and Global Events: Short-term rental policy is increasingly intersecting with broader housing strategies, emergency responses, and international planning. Maui, HI’s move to phase out 7,000 STRs is directly tied to wildfire recovery and a critical housing shortage. Kansas City, KS is preparing for a surge in demand related to the 2026 World Cup. Cities like Buncombe County, NC are pausing rulemaking to assess post-disaster conditions, while others like Clayton, MO and West Fargo, ND are aligning STR ordinances with long-term zoning and urban development plans. This evolution suggests that STR governance is no longer just about tourism—it’s becoming a core part of urban resilience and economic planning.
📅 Future Meetings and Public Hearings/Comments:
- West Fargo, ND: A second reading is expected at the commission’s next meeting, with final adoption likely by September 1.
- Clayton, MO: A public hearing before the Plan Commission is scheduled for June 16, with a final vote by the Board of Aldermen expected if approved.
- National City, CA: Staff will aim to present a revised version at the June 17 meeting, with potential community engagement opportunities in July as discussions continue.
- Selbyville, DE: A public hearing is scheduled for July 7, giving residents a chance to weigh in before any final decision is made.
🖱️ Click of the Week: See What Everyone’s Reading
Liz Bishop
Short Term Rental Sales Tax Law About to Take Effect
New York State has launched a statewide short-term rental registry aimed at increasing tax compliance and transparency from platforms like Airbnb and VRBO, requiring detailed local reporting on bookings, locations, occupancy, and taxes collected. Supporters say it levels the playing field with hotels and recovers lost tax revenue, while critics warn of added bureaucracy and privacy concerns.
Stay Updated with STRisker
STRisker offers tools and features to keep you updated with the Short-Term Rental movement across the U.S.
STRisker Updates Tracker
How do you keep up with the regulatory rollercoaster in your market? STRisker's Updates Tracker can be your guide - start tracking latest events as they happen and get access to essential documents as they come in. We know the struggle, which is why we built this product to capture every twist and turn in the regulatory saga so you never miss a beat.
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