Weekly Regulatory Briefing (25) 07/03/2026

🏡Top Stories This Week

• New Braunfels, TX: The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld New Braunfels' short term rental ordinance, ruling that property owners do not have a constitutional right to operate STRs in residential zones under Texas law.
• Birmingham, AL: Airbnb is once again activating its anti-party technology in the Birmingham area ahead of the Fourth of July weekend, using machine learning to identify and block higher-risk bookings that could lead to disruptive gatherings.

🌍 Regional Highlights

• Idaho: Idaho's House Bill 583 took effect July 1, significantly limiting how local governments can regulate short term rentals after a third attempt by Rep. Jordan Rodman to pass the legislation finally succeeded.
• Hawaii: Hawaii County's Leeward Planning Commission held a four-hour special meeting in Kona on Tuesday to consider Bill 147, a proposed ordinance that would repeal existing short term vacation rental and bed and breakfast regulations and replace them with a new regulatory framework covering permitted uses, permitting, enforcement and operational standards.

📜 New Ordinances Approved

• Ridgefield, CT: Ridgefield's Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved new short term rental regulations on June 23, allowing up to six lodging stays per year under a zoning permit and up to 26 stays annually under a special permit.

💬 Catch Up on Discussions

• North Charleston, SC: North Charleston is relying on a single dedicated enforcement officer to track down unlicensed short term rentals, using a tool called Rentalscape to compare active listings against permitted properties and conducting in-person Friday visits to confirm violations.
• Harrison, NJ: Harrison Township Committee adopted an ordinance June 15 prohibiting short term rentals of 60 days or less, including platforms like Airbnb and the pool rental service Swimply, unless a property owner obtains a variance.
• Cadillac, MI: Cadillac officials say the city’s conservative short-term rental policy, adopted in 2021, will remain unchanged for the foreseeable future after a steady decline in resident complaints and enforcement actions.
• Baytown, TX: Baytown City Council tabled proposed amendments to its Unified Land Development Code that would tighten short term rental regulations, choosing to wait until a full council is present before taking action.
• Carthage, MO: Carthage has officially put a new short term rental ordinance into effect, requiring property owners to comply with permitting, inspections, safety standards and nuisance prevention rules.
• Palm Springs, CA: Palm Springs is moving to require short term rental platforms to display permit numbers directly in listings after city officials revealed significant gaps in their ability to audit smaller vacation rental properties, some of which may go unreviewed for five years or longer due to limited staffing.
• Isle, MN: Isle City Council voted to lift its short term rental moratorium effective July 1, five months ahead of the originally proposed December deadline, following a public hearing on new STR regulations.
• Hocking County, OH: The dismissal of a lawsuit by Brad-Mer Acres residents against a Florida short term rental operator is standing after Hocking County Common Pleas Judge Jason Despetorich reaffirmed his ruling Wednesday.
• Indianapolis, IN: A shooting at a registered short-term rental in Indianapolis' Broad Ripple neighborhood is prompting renewed calls from residents for stronger oversight of vacation rentals.
• Mobile County, AL: A rejected short-term rental application has renewed debate in Mobile over whether the city's current regulations are too restrictive and difficult to enforce.
• Kennebunkport, ME: Kennebunk Fire Rescue is partnering with local organizations to host a public seminar aimed at improving water safety at hotels, resorts, and short-term rental properties with swimming pools.
• Osceola County, FL: Osceola County Sheriff's Office is ramping up enforcement against illegal short term rental parties ahead of the Fourth of July weekend, with deputies actively monitoring social media and promotional flyers to identify organizers before events begin.
• Ford River Township, MI: Ford River Township voted 3-2 on June 15 to ban short term rentals in residential zones, limiting STR operations to commercial districts only after years of planning commission work and multiple failed attempts to pass the measure.
• Ganges Township, MI: Ganges Township extended its short term rental moratorium through December 31, 2026 while officials work on a draft ordinance, but the process has been complicated by a fundamental problem both sides agree on: no one knows exactly how many STRs are operating in the township.

📲 Social Buzz

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Episode: The Rich Somers Report

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📅 Future Meetings and Public Hearings/Comments:

• Boulder, CO: Boulder area homeowners can learn how to maximize rental income ahead of the Sundance Film Festival's move to the region at two upcoming events, including a July 2 session in Boulder covering short term rentals, insurance and renovation strategies hosted by LIV Sotheby's International Realty and partners.

• Baytown, TX

• Triana, AL: The Triana Town Council will hold a public hearing on July 13 to consider a proposed ordinance that would introduce comprehensive regulations for short-term rentals.

• Hawaii: The commission deferred a vote after hearing mostly opposition testimony from current STR and bed and breakfast operators, and will take up the bill again on July 16.

• Ford River Township, MI

• Jenkintown, PA: Jenkintown Borough is set to hear its first short term rental application under a zoning ordinance originally approved in April 2025, with a Zoning Hearing Board meeting scheduled for July 23.

• Gilbert, AZ: Gilbert is moving toward more than doubling its short term rental licensing and renewal fee, from $100 to $250, after the Town Council approved a notice of intent ahead of a final vote scheduled for September 1.

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

City of Nevada City Invites Community to Review Proposed Short-Term Rental Ordinance

Nevada City, Calif. – The City of Nevada City invites community members to attend a public meeting to review and discuss a proposed Short-Term Rental (STR) Ordinance that may be considered for placement on the November 2026 ballot. The meeting will be held: Tuesday, June 30, 2026 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Nevada City Council […]

YubaNetCity of Nevada City

City of Nevada City Invites Community to Review Proposed Short-Term Rental Ordinance

In case you missed it:

🎯 Strisker: Bulletin - Spain

Draft decree unveiled by the Council of Ministers would strip tourist flats of reduced VAT treatment and push the rate for hosts offering hotel-style services from 10% to the standard 21%

Strisker - Short-term rental and data center regulationsJasmine Ruth Albatana

Daily Regulatory Notes 07/02/2026

Cities address STRs. Hawaii discusses bill; Osceola County, FL ramps up enforcement; Ford River Twp, MI votes to ban STRs; Ganges Twp, MI extends moratorium; Wimberley, TX schedules hearing; Decatur, AL ends grace period for registration; Bethel, NY schedules public hearing. READ MORE.

Strisker - Short-term rental and data center regulationsGenelaine Urbano

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