Executive Summary
Orange County cities are tightening STR rules ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Olympics. Placentia just passed guest caps, permit requirements, and buffer zones between rentals, while Brea raised first-violation fines from $100 to $1,500 and rolled out a pilot program with a $1,000 permit, a building inspection, two-night minimum stays, and on-site parking. Birmingham, Michigan, also pushed through new STR regulations after an April shooting at a rental property prompted a proposed moratorium. Charlottesville, Virginia, is reminding hosts that its $100 annual Homestay permit is mandatory in six residential zones, on top of citywide business licensing and transient occupancy tax obligations. On the developing side, South Carolina's HB 3876 would shift STR tax collection from platforms to property managers (Airbnb, which remitted $89.7M in SC taxes in 2025, opposes it while Vrbo and Expedia support it), and Fair Haven, NY, is hearing strong resident pushback on a proposed permit law that operators say would hurt the village economy.
New Regulations
Orange County, California
Licensing / Enforcement / Fines · Published May 4, 2026
Placentia approved new STR rules including guest caps, permit requirements, and buffer zones between rental properties ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Olympics. Brea raised first-violation fines from $100 to $1,500 under a new state law and launched a pilot program requiring a $1,000 permit, a business license, a building inspection, two-night minimum stays, and on-site parking.
→ Source: More Orange County Cities Confront Airbnbs
Birmingham, Michigan
General / Safety · Published May 6, 2026
Birmingham rolled out new STR regulations following an April shooting at a rental house that triggered a proposed moratorium on new short-term rentals. The Oakland County city is targeting safety and community concerns in residential areas, though the full text of the new rules has not been publicly released.
→ Source: Birmingham rolls out short-term rental regulations
Charlottesville, Virginia
Licensing · Published May 7, 2026
Charlottesville is reminding residents that annual Homestay permits are required to operate STRs (stays under 30 days) in six designated residential zones (R-A, RN-A, R-B, R-C, RX-3, RX-5), with a $100 annual fee, proof of residency, and online submission through the city's Permit Portal. Operators in all zoning districts must also comply with business licensing requirements and transient occupancy tax obligations.
→ Source: City Reminds Residents of Annual Homestay Permit Requirements for Short-Term Rentals
Developing Regulations
South Carolina (Statewide)
Tax · Published May 5, 2026
South Carolina House Bill 3876 would make licensed property managers the "merchant of record" for STR bookings on platforms like Airbnb, requiring them to collect payments in trust accounts and remit taxes directly instead of platforms handling it. Airbnb opposes the bill (the company remitted $89.7 million in SC state and local taxes in 2025), while Vrbo and Expedia support it; local host Melody Templeton warns the change could complicate processes and favor larger operators.
→ Source: South Carolina bill could impact short-term rental managers
Fair Haven, New York
Licensing · Published May 11, 2026
Fair Haven held a public hearing on a proposed local law that would require STR owners to obtain permits through a paid application process aimed at protecting public health, safety, and welfare. Many residents opposed the measure during the hearing, citing the economic importance of short-term rentals to the village and local businesses.
→ Source: Public hearing held on Fair Haven short-term rental bill