Executive Summary
South Lake Tahoe scrapped its 150-foot buffer between vacation rentals and replaced it with a hard cap of 900 permits - operators previously disqualified by the buffer can reapply starting April 23. Decatur, Alabama is legalizing STRs for the first time with 150 permits available first-come, first-served, though the city says over 120 properties are already operating without one. McKinney, Texas now requires all rentals of 30 days or fewer to register annually through the city's online portal - it's free but mandatory per unit. Hoboken, New Jersey has zero STR rules on the books and is scrambling to pass permit legislation before the FIFA World Cup brings over a million visitors to nearby MetLife Stadium. Victoria, Texas is exploring a local hotel occupancy tax on Airbnb and VRBO properties it currently doesn't collect.
New Regulations
South Lake Tahoe, California
Published: March 25, 2026
Regulation Category: Zoning / Permits
Summary: South Lake Tahoe's City Council approved a major overhaul of its vacation home rental rules, replacing the 150-foot buffer between properties with a hard cap of 900 permits. The updated ordinance also sets a minimum renter age of 25, opens permits to attached condos, and adds room-night reporting requirements — effective April 23.
Source: City of South Lake Tahoe Council Adopts Ordinance Amending Vacation Home Rental Regulations
McKinney, Texas
Published: April 6, 2026
Regulation Category: Registration
Summary: McKinney now requires all properties rented for 30 or fewer days on platforms like Airbnb and VRBO to register annually through the city's online portal. Registration is free but mandatory for each unit, and owners must designate a 24/7 contact person.
Source: Own a short-term rental in McKinney? The city's new registration rule is now in effect
Decatur, Alabama
Published: March 31, 2026
Regulation Category: Licensing / Permits
Summary: Decatur is legalizing short-term rentals with a 150-permit cap, first-come first-served. The city estimates over 120 STRs are already operating without permits — the new system is partly motivated by accommodating tourists for the Rock The South festival in June.
Source: Decatur to open short-term rental applications Wednesday, legalizing Airbnbs and VRBOs
Covington, Georgia
Published: April 6, 2026
Regulation Category: General
Summary: Covington's City Council voted down a request to update its existing short-term rental ordinance, keeping current rules in place.
Source: Covington council rejects request to update short-term rental ordinance
Developing Regulations
Hoboken, New Jersey
Published: April 2, 2026
Regulation Category: Licensing
Summary: Hoboken currently has zero STR regulations but is racing to pass legislation before the FIFA World Cup at MetLife Stadium, which is expected to draw 1.2 million visitors. The city plans to follow Jersey City's permit-based model rather than ban rentals outright, as several neighboring towns have done.
Source: Hoboken opens door to Airbnb as NYC and other NJ towns lock out short-term rentals
Victoria, Texas
Published: April 6, 2026 Regulation Category: Tax Summary: Victoria's City Council will hear a presentation on creating an STR registration program to collect local hotel occupancy taxes from Airbnb and VRBO properties. The city currently has multiple STR listings but collects no local tax on them. Source: City Council to hear hotel tax for short-term rentals presentation