Key Insights
Severe regulatory crackdowns are rippling through key U.S. markets. Los Angeles is now aggressively enforcing its 2018 ban on illegal short-term rentals—just ahead of the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics—threatening non-compliant hosts with the total loss of their listings. Pinellas County (Florida), and Ruidoso (New Mexico) now require costly permits, strict occupancy limits, and even noise monitoring devices, significantly increasing operational overhead. Over in Hawaii, Maui’s mayor has proposed a full Airbnb ban to combat post-wildfire housing shortages, and Steamboat Springs, Colorado, is now fining unlicensed property managers up to $2,650 per day. Not all the news is bad: North Carolina’s Senate Bill 291 would protect STRs at the state level, while Ireland is planning to reclaim thousands of short-term rentals for long-term housing by 2026.
Major Impact Areas:
Los Angeles, California
Date of Announcement: April 4, 2025
Impact Level: MAJOR
Regulation Category: Enforcement
Summary: The Los Angeles City Council has voted to enhance enforcement of a 2018 law prohibiting illegal short-term rentals, spurred by housing losses from recent fires, with plans for New York-style verification systems ahead of the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics. Short-term rental investors face increased scrutiny and potential loss of listings if they fail to comply with existing regulations.
Source: LAist
Ruidoso, New Mexico
Date of Announcement: April 4, 2025
Impact Level: MAJOR
Regulation Category: Licensing
Summary: The Village of Ruidoso, New Mexico, has implemented new regulations for short-term rentals, including annual permits costing $565, biennial inspections for $50, and strict occupancy and parking rules, effective around April 4, 2025. Non-compliance can result in fines or permit revocation, and owners must also notify neighbors and adhere to safety standards, increasing operational responsibilities and costs.
Source: Ruidoso NM Government
Pinellas County, Florida
Date of Announcement: April 6, 2025
Impact Level: MAJOR
Regulation Category: Licensing
Summary: Pinellas County, Florida, is enforcing a new ordinance requiring short-term rental owners to register their properties, adhere to occupancy limits of 10 people, observe quiet hours, provide off-street parking, and undergo biennial safety inspections, with annual certificate renewals. Violations can lead to significant fines, and the county has established a response team for enforcement, increasing operational oversight and potential costs.
Source: Tampa Bay Times
Highland Heights, Ohio
Date of Announcement: April 5, 2025
Impact Level: MAJOR
Regulation Category: Enforcement
Summary: Highland Heights City Council has introduced severe penalties, such as third-degree misdemeanors escalating to first-degree misdemeanors and permanent permit revocations, to enforce its short-term rental moratorium, responding to resident complaints about disturbances. Short-term rental investors should note these strict measures and monitor Ohio SB 104, which could further limit local regulatory control.
Source: Cleveland.com
MODERATE Impact Level
Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Date of Announcement: April 2, 2025
Impact Level: MODERATE
Regulation Category: Enforcement
Summary: Steamboat Springs is intensifying enforcement by focusing on property managers advertising unlicensed short-term rentals, using proactive communication and potential citations to ensure compliance with existing laws. This shift could increase operational risks for investors if their managers fail to align with regulations, straining local resources.
Source: Steamboat Pilot
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Date of Announcement: April 7, 2025
Impact Level: MODERATE
Regulation Category: Legislation
Summary: Hot Springs now supports a vacation rental bill after legislative amendments removed contentious restrictions on local regulation of online marketplaces, allowing it to advance to the House Floor. Investors should monitor this bill's progress, as its passage could introduce new statewide regulations affecting short-term rental operations.
Source: Hot Springs Sentinel-Record
DEVELOPING Regulations
Houston, Texas
Date of Announcement: April 1, 2025
Impact Level: DEVELOPING
Regulation Category: Licensing
Summary: The Houston City Council is preparing to vote on an ordinance mandating registration for short-term rental owners to improve regulation enforcement and tax collection, following Galveston's successful model with a 94% compliance rate. However, concerns about implementation costs and Airbnb's objections regarding impacts on residents reliant on rental income could affect its adoption.
Source: ABC13
Maui, Hawaii
Date of Announcement: April 1, 2025
Impact Level: DEVELOPING
Regulation Category: Zoning
Summary: Maui's mayor has proposed banning Airbnbs to ease housing shortages worsened by the 2023 wildfires, potentially freeing up housing stock for locals but risking economic fallout as warned by researchers. Short-term rental investors could face a total loss of operations if the ban passes, though alternatives like higher taxes or permit caps are also under consideration.
Source: Fortune
Ireland
Date of Announcement: Implementation by 2026
Impact Level: DEVELOPING
Regulation Category: Licensing
Summary: The Irish government plans to introduce legislation by 2026 that would require properties let for more than 21 days annually on Airbnb to register with Fáilte Ireland, aiming to convert short-term rentals into long-term housing. This could significantly limit the availability of short-term rental properties and impose new compliance requirements on operators.
Source: Nova.ie
North Carolina, USA
Date of Announcement: April 5, 2025
Impact Level: DEVELOPING
Regulation Category: Zoning
Summary: A proposed bill in North Carolina, Senate Bill 291, could strip local governments of their power to regulate short-term rentals, potentially leading to unregulated development in residential areas. This legislation, if passed, would favor the STR industry and undermine existing regulations designed to manage neighborhood impacts.
Source: The Pilot
Nantucket, Massachusetts
Date of Announcement: April 6, 2025
Impact Level: DEVELOPING
Regulation Category: Zoning
Summary: Nantucket is addressing its short-term rental debate with Article 66, a proposal to explicitly permit vacation rentals under specific zoning bylaws, aiming to resolve ongoing legal ambiguities. Investors should track this development, as its approval could provide a clearer and more stable framework for operating rentals on the island.
Source: Nantucket Current