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

• Indian Rocks Beach, Florida

• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

• Richmond, Virginia

• Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• Clackamas County, Oregon

• Augusta, Maine

You can watch the video versions of this week's regulation here on YouTube.

Or listen to the audio on Apple Podcast or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Indian Rocks Beach

A new ordinance regulating short-term rentals in Indian Rocks Beach, Florida, goes into effect on August 1. It limits occupancy, parking, and noise and requires properties to meet current building codes. A group of over 300 rental owners has sent a demand letter stating intent to sue the city for repeal, citing the ordinance as unreasonable and illegal under recent state laws. The owners say compliance, especially with building codes, is cost-prohibitive. The city says it is reviewing the claims but will not comment further. If the city does not repeal the ordinance, the lawsuit will be filed on August 1, when it takes effect.

Philadelphia

After passing new short-term regulations in 2021, Philadelphia is starting to enforce the new laws by removing unlicensed short-term rentals from Airbnb and VRBO. The city estimates 1,700 unlicensed properties could be delisted, which accounts for 85% of all short-term rental listings in Philadelphia. While fines are possible for unlicensed hosts, penalties are still unclear. Hosts have voiced their opinions, stating the regulation requirements have made attaining the license difficult due to the confusion on zoning ordinances and the timeframe it takes to receive a permit. The mayor says oversight is needed as self-regulation failed.

Richmond

Richmond’s City Council is proposing new regulations on short-term rentals and accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to address housing issues. The proposed STR ordinance would allow short-term rental properties to operate in any residential district, but the city would increase permitting fees from $300 to $600. Additionally, hosts could operate ADUs, which are small housing units built on a single-family home parcel as a short-term rental property, but not if the main home is also rented short-term. The proposals follow other recent zoning changes like eliminating parking minimums. City planners believe the city could make over $3 million annually in tax revenue from short-term rentals. We’ll keep our eyes on Richmond as the two proposals are set to go before the City Council in August and September.

Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh City Council took steps to overhaul proposed regulations for short-term rentals, shifting to a permitting process instead of a registry. This comes after a 2022 mass shooting at an Airbnb. The original legislation required permits and inspections every three years. But amendments approved Wednesday scrapped those features and proposed a permitting program instead. Owners would have to apply for a permit contingent on an inspection. Exact permit fees are undetermined, but owners operating without a permit could face a $500 fine. The council voted to hold the amended legislation until after summer recess.

Clackamas County

The county currently has no STR regulations and has approved proceeding with public hearings on proposed short-term rental regulations. The proposed requirements include a transient lodging tax, imposing a .85% user fee on the total rental amount, parking requirements, and occupancy limits. Owners would have to register their STR but pay no inspections or fees. Rules include occupancy limits, parking requirements, contact info posting, noise rules, and transient lodging taxes. If passed, the 2-year pilot program would take effect in 90 days.

Augusta

Maine's Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC) is weighing short-term rental regulation for the first time in its over 10 million acre jurisdiction. It held meetings after growing resident complaints about rentals' noise, trash, and housing impacts. LUPC staff proposed a light-touch notification system for rental owners to provide info like the number of guests instead of registering for a permit. Some homeowners want stricter LUPC rules, citing loud renters near them. But rental owners argue against overregulation, saying it would hurt tourism in the lakes and mountains region that lacks hotel capacity. The next steps depend on the LUPC board. If it pursues regulations, a year-long public process would follow before implementation.