The new set of rules would require Airbnb and Vrbo to remove non-compliant properties from their websites.
The Houston City Council votes this week on a new ordinance that is stirring up opposition from a range of stakeholders.
The new set of rules would prevent an outright ban on short-term rentals. But it does include a “notice and takedown” requirement: If a property violates two or more local short-term rental rules, the city would force the online rental platform to “de-list” the non-compliant property or be subject to penalties.
The proposed ordinance also requires a $275-per-unit registration fee, a 24/7 emergency contact, payment of hotel occupancy taxes and fines ranging from $100 to $500 a day for violating the rules.
About 8,548 advertised short-term rentals operated in Houston as of November 2024. But residents, small property operators, short-term rental managers and more stakeholders are weighing in with concerns over the proposed regulations ahead of the city council vote.
New and Proposed Regulations:
- Pinellas County, Florida: A new ordinance requires short-term rentals to adhere to maximum occupancy and quiet hours rules, as well as meet a sexual predator notice requirement. (link)
- Cleveland Heights, Ohio: City officials are fine tuning a proposed set of short-term rental regulations, while the state simultaneously works to block such local enforcement. (link)
- Eagle County, Colorado: A board of commissioners is considering three approaches to the county’s complex short-term rental landscape. (link)
- Irvins, Utah: Residents are calling for regulations to protect long-term housing in one of Utah’s fastest-growing resort regions. (link)
- Juneau, Alaska: An 11-member short-term rental task force has only one person who rents, and she says the group needs more members that represent long-term renters. (link)
Other Noteworthy News:
- Holy Jubilee: The Vatican and Airbnb are jointly working to plan for the millions of pilgrims landing in Rome in 2025 for the Jubilee Holy Year. (link)
- Tech trends and more: Sustainability, smart tech and an increasingly complex regulatory landscape is restructuring the short-term rental industry. (link)
