This week's update covers new laws, permit requirements, and regulation news for hosts in:

• Avondale, Arizona

• New York City, New York

• Columbus, Ohio

• Lansing, Michigan 

• Lexington, South Carolina

• Florida

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Avondale

Starting February 1, Avondale will require licenses for short-term rental properties. This ordinance, adopted in October 2023, aims to balance property owner rights with city safety and compliance needs. The licensing process includes providing emergency contact information, ensuring compliance with laws, maintaining $500,000 liability insurance, and conducting background checks on renters to verify they are not registered sex offenders. Advertisements must display the license number. Penalties for non-compliance range from $500 to $3,500. The ordinance is part of Avondale's efforts to regulate the growing short-term rental market.

New York City

After rolling out new short-term rental regulations in 2023, New York City has since only approved only 22% of applications. The city's stringent regulations, aimed at ensuring compliance with housing and safety standards, have led to a significant reduction in available short-term rentals in NYC, but a drastic increase in surrounding New Jersey. The process involves thorough verification of host identities, property locations, and adherence to specific legal requirements. Whether Airbnb will continue to try and fight these recent regulation changes remains to be seen.

Columbus

Leaders in various Columbus neighborhoods are advocating for stricter regulations on short-term rentals in the city. The proposal, aimed at enhancing community safety, is set to be presented to the Columbus City Council. This initiative follows incidents related to short-term rentals, including a fatal shooting last year at an unlicensed rental property. The proposal suggests measures like limiting the number of rentals in an area, increasing licensing fees, and informing neighbors about rental properties. The goal is to enforce regulations more strictly and address community concerns.

Lansing

State Representative Joey Andrews is spearheading the reintroduction of a bill in Lansing to regulate short-term rentals in Michigan. The bill aims to register platforms like Airbnb and VRBO, imposing a six-percent excise tax on such rentals. This tax would fund a state registry to help local governments monitor short-term rentals in their areas. While the bill seeks to preserve local control, it also addresses the burdens these rentals place on local regulation and public safety. The introduction of the bill is expected soon, with hopes for legislative approval within the year.

Lexington

Lexington County is reconsidering its approach to short-term rental regulations after receiving significant public feedback. Initially, the county council supported strict regulations on short-term rentals in unincorporated areas. However, a public hearing at the end of last year revealed strong opposition from residents and business owners, who argued that such limitations would negatively impact tourism and local businesses. In response, the council is now contemplating easing some of these restrictions, including stay length and zoning district operations. The revised ordinance may allow short-term rentals in all zoning districts and require only a two-night minimum stay. The council is still deliberating on whether to impose a one-time or annual permit fee for rental owners. A second public hearing is scheduled in two months, after which the ordinance will need further council approval.

Florida

Florida's state senate is preparing a bill to regulate vacation rentals, aiming to shift power from local governments to the state. This bill would govern aspects like advertising, registrations, and parking. The move comes amid growing local frustrations over disruptive rental activities. Vacation rental owners oppose the bill, fearing it will limit consumer choice and change the nature of the rental industry. The bill's sponsor, Sen. Nick Diceglie, seeks uniform regulations but faces opposition in the Senate who believe cities should tailor their own rules. The bill still needs to pass through the House and the Senate before being signed off by the governor, but, if passed, it will impact thousands of rentals across Florida.