Executive Summary
Maui's Planning Commission killed a bill that would have saved roughly 4,500 vacation rentals operating in apartment-zoned areas; now the County Council needs a two-thirds supermajority to override that decision. Indonesia is requiring all Airbnb-style properties to get business permits by March 31, following Bali's governor pushing to shut down short-term rentals entirely over tax losses. Ocean City, Maryland, went the other direction, unanimously rescinding its STR moratorium after a petition with 1,200+ signatures from local property owners. In Idaho, two competing state bills are headed in opposite directions: one would let cities require business licenses for operators running 4+ homes, the other would block cities from requiring any STR-specific licenses at all. Green Bay, Wisconsin, is adding teeth to its STR rules with permit suspension powers for nuisance violations, and Hocking County, Ohio, proposed rules so detailed they specify bunk bed mattress-to-ceiling distances.
New Regulations
Maui County, Hawaii
Published: February 25, 2026
Regulation Category: Zoning
Summary: Maui's Planning Commission rejected a bill that would have created two new hotel zoning districts, effectively blocking roughly 4,500 short-term rentals from continuing to operate in apartment-zoned areas. The rejection means the County Council now needs a two-thirds supermajority to pass the legislation, making survival of those units significantly harder.
Source: Maui Planning Commission Rejects Bill To Save Thousands Of Vacation Rentals
Indonesia
Published: March 1, 2026
Regulation Category: Licensing
Summary: Indonesia now requires all short-term rental properties listed on Airbnb and other platforms to obtain business permits by March 31, 2026. The mandate follows Bali's governor proposing a full halt on short-term rentals due to significant regional tax revenue losses.
Source: Airbnb-style rentals must now have permits
Ocean City, Maryland
Published: March 2, 2026
Regulation Category: Zoning
Summary: Ocean City's Town Council unanimously voted to rescind its short-term rental moratorium, which had prohibited new rental licenses in single-family neighborhoods and mobile home districts. The reversal followed a petition with over 1,200 signatures from a local residents' group opposing the restrictions.
Source: Short-term rental moratorium rescinded by Ocean City Town Council
Meaford, Ontario, Canada
Published: March 2, 2026
Regulation Category: Licensing
Summary: The Municipality of Meaford launched a Short-Term Rental Registry requiring operators to submit fire safety plans, parking plans, and codes of conduct with a $50 registration fee. This is phase one of a multi-year program, with full licensing frameworks planned for 2027 and 2028.
Source: Municipality Launches Short-Term Rental (STR) Registry
Developing Regulations
Green Bay, Wisconsin
Published: February 24, 2026
Regulation Category: Enforcement
Summary: Green Bay's Plan Commission unanimously approved new STR regulations requiring written house rules, local contacts, and detailed permit applications — plus enforcement measures allowing permit suspension or revocation for nuisance violations. The rules still need City Council approval before taking effect.
Source: Green Bay looks to bolster house rules, enforcement of short-term rentals
Hocking County, Ohio
Published: February 27, 2026
Regulation Category: Safety
Summary: Hocking County's Zoning Commission proposed detailed STR rules covering unit labeling, six-foot tree buffers between properties, and bunk bed specifications for the Hocking Hills area. Local lodging owners warn the compliance costs could force many operators to sell.
Source: Hocking County short-term rental owners warn proposed rules could hurt local industry
Idaho (Statewide)
Published: February 27, 2026
Regulation Category: Licensing
Summary: Two competing bills are moving through Idaho's Senate Commerce Committee. SB 1263 would let cities require business licenses and enhanced safety measures for operators managing 4+ homes or earning over $10,000/year, while HB 583 takes a more restrictive approach, limiting local regulation and prohibiting cities from requiring STR-specific licenses or safety standards.
Source: Short-term rental bills face off in committee, one advances to the Senate floor
Brunswick, Ohio
Published: March 2, 2026
Regulation Category: Zoning
Summary: Brunswick City Council's planning committee discussed new rules that would ban STRs in low-density single-family districts but allow them in medium-density residential areas with 300-foot separation requirements and mandatory registration. State legislators are also working on STR regulations that could affect local rules.
Source: Brunswick Council considers short-term rental regulations in new zoning code