Weekly Regulatory Briefing (7) 02/13/2026

🏡Top Stories This Week

• Lawrence, KS: Lawrence is temporarily loosening short-term rental rules to prepare for a surge of visitors during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
• Bar Harbor, ME: A Maine district court ruled in favor of Bar Harbor in an enforcement case against an unregistered short-term rental, ordering the property owner to pay $47,700 in fines and penalties after failing to respond to the town’s complaint.

🌍 Regional Highlights

• Idaho: Idaho lawmakers are advancing House Bill 583, which would significantly limit how cities and counties can regulate short-term rentals by prohibiting local licensing, permitting, registration requirements, and most targeted fees.
• North Carolina: A pending decision by North Carolina’s Property Tax Commission may determine whether some short-term rentals should be valued differently for tax purposes.

📜 New Ordinances Approved

• Wyandotte County, KS: Wyandotte County commissioners have approved new rules to fast-track short-term rental licenses in Kansas City, Kansas, during designated “major events” like the World Cup.
• Los Angeles, CA: Los Angeles City Council approved a ballot measure for the June 2 election that would temporarily raise the city’s transient occupancy tax on hotels, short-term rentals, and similar stays by 2% through 2028 before partially rolling it back.

💬 Catch Up on Discussions

• Evanston, IL: Evanston officials delayed action on a revised short-term rental ordinance Monday, voting 8-0 to table the measure for additional discussion.
• Ocean City, MD: Ocean City’s Board of Supervisors has begun verifying signatures for a petition challenging the extension of a short-term rental moratorium that halts new licenses in certain residential areas.
• Santa Cruz, CA: Santa Cruz City Council updated local accessory dwelling unit rules to comply with state law but postponed a decision on allowing short-term rentals at properties with ADUs.
• Del Mar, CA: Del Mar officials approved a March 2–May 1 permitting window for short-term rentals after securing Coastal Commission approval of the city’s rules.
• Thousand Palms, CA: Riverside County officials are weighing whether to extend a temporary moratorium on new short-term rentals in Thousand Palms after residents reported ongoing disturbances from party houses.
• Toledo, OH: A deadly shooting linked to an out-of-control party at a Toledo short-term rental has intensified concerns about safety and enforcement.
• North Charleston, SC: North Charleston is reminding short-term rental operators to renew permits before the Feb. 28 deadline.
• Omaha, NE: Omaha City Councilmember Ron Hug plans to introduce an ordinance to regulate short-term rentals similar to Lincoln’s existing rules.
• Lewes. DE: Lewes officials are considering new rules to permit accessory dwelling units in residential neighborhoods to support long-term housing availability.
• Los Angeles, CA: A Deloitte report finds lodging demand during the LA28 Olympics could exceed available capacity on 13 of 19 competition days, potentially leaving up to 320,000 visitors seeking accommodations
• Bath Township, OH: A deadly shooting at a birthday party inside an illegal short-term rental in Bath Township is intensifying concerns about enforcement and safety across Northeast Ohio.
• San Jose, CA: San Jose leaders are considering a ballot measure to raise the city’s hotel tax from 10% to 12% to help address a projected $65 million budget deficit.
• Mendocino County, CA: Mendocino County leaders are developing a new ordinance to regulate short-term rentals in inland, unincorporated areas where no rules currently exist.
• Pittsburgh, PA: The NFL Draft is expected to pack Pittsburgh’s short-term rentals, with booking levels already far above normal and occupancy projected near 90%.
• Riverside County, CA: Riverside County officials are considering stricter short-term rental rules that would strengthen enforcement, raise fees, and potentially end the moratorium on new permits in Thousand Palms and B Bar H Ranch.
• Sandusky, OH: With the April expiration of Sandusky’s short-term rental moratorium approaching, city officials are weighing stricter regulations to control where new rentals can operate.
• Montgomery, AL: Montgomery leaders are finalizing a citywide short-term rental ordinance that would require business licenses and safety inspections.
• Chikaming Township, MI: Chikaming Township officials are drafting a new short-term rental ordinance after reviewing recommendations from a community study and extensive public feedback.
• Kern County, CA: Kern County is exploring a potential increase to its transient occupancy tax, which applies to short-term rentals and other lodging stays, after supervisors approved initial steps toward a November ballot measure.
• Hilton Head Island, SC: Hilton Head Island officials are considering a new short-term rental permit fee structure that would replace the current flat fee with a $150 per bedroom rate, increasing costs for most larger properties while reducing fees for smaller units.
• Wayne, NJ: Wayne Township Council unanimously introduced two companion ordinances to formally prohibit short-term residential rentals of 29 days or less, including Airbnb-style stays, citing repeated neighborhood complaints and strain on municipal services.

📲 Social Buzz

🎤 Episode Title: Oak Bluffs Select Board - Oak Bluffs SB 2.10.26
🎤 Episode: MyTown News

📻 Listen:https://www.buzzsprout.com/2501436/episodes/18673954-oak-bluffs-select-board-oak-bluffs-sb-2-10-26.mp3

Social Listening📱: Twitter

STRisker’s Twitter Signal pulls real-time posts from officials, agencies, advocacy groups, and local influencers—so you see emerging sentiment and policy signals the moment they surface. Track conversations by place, people, and topics, then zero in on what actually matters.

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📅 Future Meetings and Public Hearings/Comments:

• Charleston County, SC: Charleston County is moving toward final approval of an ordinance amendment that would strengthen enforcement against short-term rentals operating without required permits or business licenses, with a third reading scheduled for Feb. 24.

• Santa Cruz, CA: The council will consider final approval of the ADU ordinance updates at its Feb. 24 meeting while continuing to evaluate potential STR policy changes tied to ADU properties.

• Mendocino County, CA

• Laketown Township, MI: Laketown Township officials are reviewing a proposal to reshape short-term rental rules before a moratorium on new standalone rentals expires June 30, 2026, with further discussion scheduled for March 4.

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

Hotel Taxes: Transient Occupancy Tax

The article explains how San José collects and manages hotel-related taxes and fees. It covers the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT), which adds a combined 10% to room rates, the Convention Center Facilities District (CCFD) Tax that funds upgrades to the McEnery Convention Center, and the Hotel Business Improvement District (HBID) Fee that supports marketing and events for larger hotels.

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