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

• Oakland, California

• Middletown, Rhode Island

• Whittier, California

• Park Township, Michigan

• Anchorage, Alaska

• Aiken, South Carolina

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Oakland

Oakland has over 2,600 short-term rental listings on sites like Airbnb despite prohibiting rentals under 30 days in much of the city. The city is finally creating regulations after years of delay. Proposed rules could limit hosts to renting their primary residence only for up to 90 nights per year. Advocates support this approach to retain housing for residents instead of converting units to "mini-hotels." Safety is also a concern, like a fatal 2021 shooting at a party held at an Airbnb. The city plans to hire a contractor to issue licenses to hosts next year if regulations are adopted.

Middletown

The Middletown Town Council is considering banning short-term rentals (STRs) due to concerns about their impact, sparking backlash from STR owners who argue they benefit the town. At an Oct. 2 meeting, Council President Rodrigues suggested banning STRs rather than just enforcing ordinances. While STR owners noted this could prompt lawsuits, they highlighted how short-term rentals provide income, tourists, and jobs. Residents argued STRs push out families, raise taxes, and disrupt neighborhoods. Some called for regulations like those passed recently in Newport and Jamestown. STR owners sought compromise, noting many are not irresponsible. The debate showed divisions on the impact of short-term rentals in Middletown.

Whittier

The Whittier City Council is finalizing guidelines and drafting an ordinance to regulate short-term rentals. After reviewing options and best practices from other cities, the council voted on regulations including requiring a business license, short-term rental permit, transient occupancy tax, prohibiting events, and a 2-night minimum stay. The council still needs to decide on a cap for the number of rentals, distance requirements between rentals, occupancy limits based on unit size, rental percentage limits for multi-family properties, and penalty fees for violations. The council will guide staff on drafting the ordinance at their next meeting.

Park Township

Park Township in Michigan banned short-term rentals in residential areas effective October 2022, enforcing a 1974 ordinance. Over 100 residents filed a lawsuit seeking to overturn the ban, alleging the township violated due process by not properly amending zoning or holding public hearings. Residents claim short-term rentals have been allowed for decades. The township says complaints from residents justified the ban, though plaintiffs say the planning commission was tasked with drafting a new ordinance in 2021. The lawsuit argues the township wanted to avoid allowing 240 existing rentals to continue as "nonconforming uses" under a new ordinance. Plaintiffs say the ban takes away their ability to rent second homes to cover costs.

Anchorage

Anchorage Assembly members have proposed requiring licenses for short-term rentals. The goal is to gather data to understand the impact on housing supply, not limit numbers. Licenses would cost $400 annually starting in 2024. The fee could be waived for rentals that are the owner's primary residence or rented 180+ days a year. The proposal sets safety rules like limits on occupancy, requiring insurance and contact info, and fines for violations. It comes amid concerns over housing shortages and rising costs, with some blaming vacation rentals. But sponsors say impact may be limited except in Girdwood. As costs rise and travel drops, rentals may become less viable and revert to long-term.

Aiken

Aiken city officials held a forum to get feedback from business leaders on potential regulations for short-term rentals, which are rentals for 29 days or less. Reactions on social media to the city looking at regulations fell into two camps - either don't allow in neighborhoods or don't ban. The city isn't looking to allow short-term rentals everywhere or ban them but wants to develop regulations since currently there are none. Potential regulations discussed include blackout dates like Masters week when renting is allowed without a license, limiting the number of permits, requiring owners or a rep to be within a reasonable distance, and inspecting the rentals. Business leaders gave feedback on the proposals. The next steps are meeting with residents and drafting regulations for council approval.