Key Insights From This Week
California doubled down on anti-gouging laws, barring landlords from hiking rents beyond 10% after devastating wildfires. Meanwhile, Airbnb launched a $5 million Super PAC in New York to battle restrictive laws, signaling a fierce fight ahead. Spain shook things up with plans to tax holiday rentals at business rates, aiming to curb rent inflation. In Texas, Austin and New Braunfels set contrasting precedents, with Austin rewriting rules to align with courts while New Braunfels upheld a strict zoning ban on STRs.
Whether it’s taxation, zoning, or political advocacy, one thing’s clear—hosts need to stay sharp and adapt fast.
Major Impact Areas:
New York City, New York, USA
Date: January 13, 2025
Impact Level: MAJOR
Regulation Category: Political Advocacy
Summary: Airbnb has launched a Super PAC named "Keeping New York Affordable" with a $5 million budget to support political candidates favoring short-term rentals, aiming to counteract stringent home-sharing regulations implemented in 2023.
Source: Airbnb Launches Super PAC
Los Angeles, California, USA
Date: January 19, 2025
Impact Level: MAJOR
Regulation Category: Pricing
Summary: California officials have issued warnings against rent price gouging in Los Angeles following recent wildfires, emphasizing that rent increases above 10% during emergencies are illegal.
Source: Rent Price Gouging in LA
Spain
Date: January 13, 2025
Impact Level: MAJOR
Regulation Category: Taxation
Summary: The Spanish government plans to increase taxes on holiday rentals to align with business taxation, aiming to address rising rents attributed to the preference for short-term tourist rentals over long-term leases.
Source: Spain to Increase Taxes on Holiday Rentals
Austin, Texas, USA
Date of Announcement: January 14, 2025
Impact Level: MAJOR
Regulation Category: Licensing, Zoning, Taxation
Summary: Austin is overhauling its STR regulations to comply with recent court decisions, proposing changes in licensing, ownership restrictions, and tax collection responsibilities.
Source: Austin STR Regulation Overhaul
New Braunfels, Texas, USA
Date: January 15, 2025
Impact Level: MAJOR
Regulation Category: Zoning
Summary: A U.S. District Judge ruled in favor of New Braunfels, upholding the city's ordinance that bans short-term rentals in single-family and two-family residential zones. This decision reinforces the city's zoning regulations and impacts homeowners utilizing platforms like Airbnb and VRBO.
Source: New Braunfels Ban on STR
Fall River, Massachusetts, USA
Date of Announcement: January 16, 2025
Impact Level: MAJOR
Regulation Category: Licensing, Taxation
Summary: Fall River is moving towards legalizing short-term rentals by introducing an ordinance that allows residents to rent their primary homes under controlled conditions. The proposed regulations require operators to obtain business-scale insurance and pay a 4% tax on rentals. Additionally, a potential 3% community fee may be added to address neighborhood impacts.
Source: Fall River STR Ordinance Proposal
Ithaca, New York, USA
Date of Announcement: January 16, 2025
Impact Level: MAJOR
Regulation Category: Licensing
Summary: The City of Ithaca has opened applications for short-term rental permits as part of new regulations adopted in May 2024. The ordinance mandates that short-term rentals must be the host's primary residence, occupied for at least 184 days annually. Permits are required to advertise such rentals, with full enforcement beginning June 1, 2025.
Source: Ithaca STR Permit Applications
Moderate Impact Areas:
York, Maine, USA
Date of Announcement: January 16, 2025
Impact Level: MODERATE
Regulation Category: Licensing
Summary: Following the narrow defeat of a short-term rental regulation ordinance in May 2024, York officials are considering bringing a revised proposal to vote in 2025. The previous ordinance would have required rental owners to register with the town and undergo safety inspections.
Source: York STR Proposal
Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, USA
Date: January 19, 2025
Impact Level: MODERATE
Regulation Category: Licensing
Summary: Mount Pleasant has reached a settlement concerning short-term rental regulations, addressing compliance issues and setting new standards for property owners.
Source: Mount Pleasant STR Settlement
Juneau, Alaska, USA
Date of Announcement: January 14, 2025
Impact Level: MODERATE
Regulation Category: Formation of Task Force for Potential STR Regulations
Summary: The City and Borough of Juneau have initiated a task force to study the impact of short-term rentals on housing availability and to recommend regulatory actions to improve long-term housing options.
Source: Juneau STR Task Force
North Charleston, South Carolina, USA
Date of Announcement: January 18, 2025
Impact Level: MODERATE
Regulation Category: Licensing, Zoning
Summary: In response to community concerns, North Charleston is proposing a cap on short-term rentals in residential areas to maintain housing availability and neighborhood integrity.
Source: North Charleston STR Cap Proposal
Rindge, New Hampshire, USA
Date of Announcement: January 18, 2025
Impact Level: MODERATE
Regulation Category: Zoning, Licensing
Summary: Rindge is proposing to classify short-term rentals as a commercial use, requiring property owners to undergo a site plan review.
Source: Rindge STR Ballot Proposal
Moderate Impact Areas:
Bastrop, Texas, USA
Date: January 17, 2025
Impact Level: MINOR
Regulation Category: Licensing
Summary: Bastrop has proposed new short-term rental regulations and is inviting public discussion at an upcoming town hall on January 22.
Source: Bastrop STR Proposal