Executive Summary
Bakersfield adopted its first-ever short-term rental ordinance in a 6-1 vote, requiring an annual permit, a 24/7 emergency contact, $500,000 in liability insurance, and a cap of two guests per bedroom, with platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo now collecting the tax and the rules taking effect 30 days after adoption. Santa Barbara's Ordinance Committee advanced a revised ordinance to the City Council that would ban short-term rentals in high fire hazard areas and set a two-night minimum stay, after dropping earlier parking and insurance requirements. Pasco, Washington, where rentals under 30 days are currently banned, agreed to introduce a permitting framework covering Airbnb, Vrbo, and owners who rent without an app. In Greece, a Finance Ministry bill would cancel a property's rental registration when it changes hands through sale, inheritance, or gift in central Athens and Thessaloniki, which owner groups say could hit more than 10,000 owners and erase value on transfer. Only Bakersfield's rules are final so far; the other three are still proposals.
New Regulations
Bakersfield, California
Licensing / Tax · Published June 11, 2026
Bakersfield's City Council voted 6-1 to adopt the city's first-ever short-term rental ordinance, requiring every operator to hold an annual, renewable permit to operate legally. The rules cap occupancy at two guests per bedroom, require a 24/7 emergency contact and $500,000 in liability insurance, ban nighttime pool and spa use, and shift tax collection to platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo, taking effect 30 days after adoption.
→ Source: Bakersfield City Council adopts first-ever Airbnb ordinance for the city
Developing Regulations
Santa Barbara, California
Zoning / Minimum Stay · Published June 11, 2026
Santa Barbara's Ordinance Committee voted to advance a revised short-term rental ordinance to the City Council, though no review date has been set. The latest version would prohibit short-term rentals and home-sharing in high fire hazard areas and require a two-night minimum stay, while removing earlier proposed parking and insurance requirements.
→ Source: Santa Barbara committee advances revised short-term rental ordinance
Pasco, Washington
Licensing / Inspections · Published June 15, 2026
The Pasco City Council agreed to introduce new short-term rental rules covering platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo as well as residents who rent out homes without using apps. The proposal would add permits, business licenses, insurance, and annual safety inspections in a city where rentals under 30 days have been prohibited.
→ Source: New rules coming for Airbnb and short-term rental owners in Pasco
Central Athens and Thessaloniki, Greece
Licensing / Transfers · Published June 16, 2026
A provision in a Finance Ministry bill would strip a property's short-term rental registration (AMA) when ownership changes through sale, inheritance, parental transfer, or gift, applying only in central Athens and Thessaloniki where new registrations are suspended. Owner groups STAMA and POMIDA estimate more than 10,000 owners could be affected and warn the rule would create a two-tier market, with registered homes losing value as soon as they change hands.
→ Source: Tighter Rules for Airbnb-Style Rentals Spark Backlash
