Executive Summary
North Charleston, South Carolina, caps STR permits at 60 per district, with some districts already full and waitlists forming for new applicants. Permits there are non-transferable on sale, meaning buyers lose the STR license when they close. Oswego County, New York, launched a mandatory registry with a February 9 start date and $50 biennial fee for all rentals under 30 days. Arizona is stacking up multiple bills at the state level that would let smaller towns cap permits, ban STRs in guest houses, and reclassify some properties as commercial for higher tax rates. Governor Hobbs is also pushing a $3.50-per-night state tax on stays. On the flip side, Albuquerque rejected a 350-foot spacing rule in a tight 5-4 vote, keeping the door open for investors to place STRs without density restrictions. Idaho lawmakers are moving to override local STR regulations statewide, which could eliminate Boise's $80 license requirement and local rep mandate for most operators. And Buena Vista, Colorado, hit pause with a moratorium on new STR licenses through September while it rewrites its licensing policy from scratch.
New Regulations
Oswego County, New York
Published: February 6, 2026
Regulation Category: Licensing/Registration
Summary: Oswego County implemented a mandatory STR registry under Local Law 2 of 2025, requiring owners to register starting February 9, 2026, for $50 every two years, with approved permits displayed and reviewed within 30 days. This new requirement, tied to state tax and property law changes, adds compliance steps for all STR operators (under 30 days rentals) to track usage and support tourism revenue.
Source: Oswego County Launches Short-Term Rental Registry
North Charleston, South Carolina
Published: February 9, 2026
Regulation Category: Licensing, Occupancy (Caps)
Summary: North Charleston STR owners must renew permits by February 28, 2026, to continue operating, with city-wide caps of 60 per district (some already exceeded, leading to waitlists for new applicants) and permits non-transferable upon property sale. Timely renewal secures spots for current holders, while unpermitted operations risk shutdowns.
Source: North Charleston Short-Term Rental Owners Face Fast-Approaching Permit Deadline
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Published: February 3, 2026
Regulation Category: Zoning (Density/Spacing)
Summary: The Albuquerque City Council voted 5-4 to reject an ordinance that would have required new STRs to be at least 350 feet apart to prevent neighborhood overcrowding. This decision preserves no geographic limits on STR density, benefiting investors by avoiding restrictions on property placement and supporting tourism.
Source: ABQ City Council Rejects Short Term Rental Regulation Ordinance
Developing Regulations
Idaho
Published: February 5, 2026
Regulation Category: Licensing, General (Preemption of Local Rules)
Summary: Idaho GOP leaders introduced competing bills to limit local regulation of STRs, including classifying them as non-transient residential use with only typical home rules allowed (plus safety), or restricting licensing to larger operators (4+ properties or $10k+ revenue), both aiming to override Boise's 2022 ordinance requiring $80 licenses and local reps. If enacted, these could reduce or eliminate burdensome local requirements for many STR investors statewide.
Source: State GOP Leaders Pitch Compromise Bill on Short-Term Rental Rules
Arizona
Published: February 4, 2026
Regulation Category: Tax, Licensing, Zoning
Summary: Arizona legislators are advancing bills that could allow smaller towns to cap STR permits, impose zoning restrictions including bans in guest houses, shift tax collection to hosts, and reclassify some properties commercially for higher taxes, while Governor Hobbs proposes a $3.50-per-night state tax on stays. These statewide measures, if passed, would increase compliance burdens and costs for STR investors while addressing local neighborhood concerns.
Source: Arizona Lawmakers Target Short-Term Rentals with New Restrictions, Taxes
Salem, Ohio
Published: February 1, 2026
Regulation Category: Licensing, Occupancy (Parking), Safety
Summary: The Salem City Council is reviewing a proposed ordinance requiring annual $72 permits for STRs (rentals under 30 days), with mandates for liability insurance, smoke/CO detectors, and parking limits (garaged plus two in driveway), plus fines up to $500 for first violations and $1,000 thereafter. If adopted, STR operators would face new permitting and safety compliance requirements, with renewals due annually by early November.
Source: Salem Considering Short-Term Rental Ordinance
Clackamas County, Oregon
Published: February 5, 2026
Regulation Category: General (Pilot Program Review, Potential Permanency)
Summary: Clackamas County is soliciting public input via a February 18 virtual town hall and survey (closing February 11) on its 2023 STR pilot program, which introduced regulations to previously unregulated unincorporated areas, to assess effectiveness and decide on making rules permanent. STR operators and residents can provide feedback on improvements or changes, potentially leading to updated or solidified regulations.
Source: Feb. 18 Virtual Town Hall - Short-Term Rentals
St. Louis, Missouri
Published: February 4, 2026
Regulation Category: Tax, Licensing
Summary: While a 2023 STR registration/inspection law remains paused pending court rulings (halted in 2025), St. Louis officials propose new 3% nightly taxes and business license requirements under 2024's Proposition S, with revenue for affordable housing. This could add tax burdens and licensing for investors amid ongoing legal uncertainty and neighborhood concerns.
Source: As St. Louis Waits for Courts to Weigh in on Old Law, BOA Members Seek Short-Term Rental Tax Legislation
Buena Vista, Colorado
Published: February 9, 2026Regulation Category: LicensingSummary: Buena Vista's Board of Trustees is initiating a community-involved rewrite of its STR licensing policy starting February 10, 2026, under a temporary moratorium on new licenses (from January 13, expiring September) to address impacts. A proposed working group will recommend adjustments, potentially altering licensing structures for current and future STR operators.Source: Buena Vista Moves to Revamp Rental Licensing Policy