Executive Summary
St. Louis aldermen unanimously approved a 3% fee on all STR stays under 30 days, with half the revenue going to affordable housing and the rest split between tenant assistance programs. Houston is requiring all STR hosts to register by April 1 ahead of the World Cup, with Airbnb searches already up 80% and a $750 bonus dangled for new hosts who list through July. Del Mar, California — the last holdout among San Diego's coastal cities — approved STR permit fees at $815 for a two-year application, with a hard cap of 129 eligible properties. Meanwhile, Evanston, Illinois, is weighing a cap of one STR per 100 long-term rental units and a 600-foot separation rule between properties, though nothing has passed yet after four consecutive council meetings.
New Regulations
St. Louis, Missouri
Published: February 21, 2026
Regulation Category: Tax / Fee
Summary: The Board of Aldermen unanimously approved a 3% fee on STR stays of 30 days or less, now awaiting the mayor's signature. Revenue splits three ways: 50% to affordable housing, 25% to an impacted tenants fund, and 25% to tenant legal representation — platforms like Airbnb can collect directly through voluntary agreements, otherwise operators pay quarterly.
Source: St. Louis aldermen approve short-term rental fee as legal battle over existing rules persists
Del Mar, California
Published: February 22, 2026
Regulation Category: Licensing / Fee
Summary: City Council approved STR permit fees at $815 for initial two-year applications and $598 for renewals, with a cap of 129 eligible properties. Del Mar's 150 existing STRs will be grandfathered in, and the council plans to reassess the fee structure after collecting implementation data.
Source: Del Mar council approves short-term rental fees
Houston, Texas
Published: February 19, 2026
Regulation Category: Licensing / Registration
Summary: Starting April 1, 2026, STR hosts must register with the city to operate rentals under 30 days, ahead of the World Cup tourism surge that has already driven Airbnb searches up 80%. Airbnb is offering first-time hosts who list their entire home through July 31 a one-time $750 bonus.
Source: Houston short-term rental hosts face new city rules ahead of World Cup tourism surge
Developing Regulations
Evanston, Illinois
Published: February 22, 2026
Regulation Category: Zoning / Licensing
Summary: City Council is considering a cap of one STR per 100 long-term rental units (roughly 144 total), a 600-foot separation requirement between STRs, and mandatory property manager residency within three miles. Currently 78 licensed STRs operate in Evanston, with 135 total units identified.
Source: Vacation rentals owners concerned over proposed restrictions