Executive Summary
Santa Barbara collected $2.6 million from illegal operators in two years, proving enforcement is real and costly, while Columbia, South Carolina, is raising minimum renter age to 25 and requiring two-night stays. Pahrump, Nevada, just implemented mandatory licensing with a 90-day compliance window, and Pittsburgh wants to restrict out-of-state investors to a 25-mile radius and cap unit ownership, potentially locking out investors entirely if you're not local. Buena Vista, Colorado, has frozen new licenses for out-of-county owners at 119 spots with a growing waitlist, creating artificial scarcity that could boost existing property values but block new investments and Vail, Colorado, is putting a new tax on condotel short-term rentals to a resident vote, which could significantly increase operational costs for STR investors in the area. Meanwhile, South Australia's research suggests overly strict regulations backfire, potentially giving hope to markets considering lighter-touch approaches over outright bans.
New Regulations
Santa Barbara, California
Published: August 4, 2025
Regulation Category: Enforcement, tax, zoning
Summary: Santa Barbara's Short-Term Rental task force has successfully collected over $2.6 million in taxes, penalties, and fees from illegal rentals in its first two years, reducing unpermitted operations from 1,300 to 974 through voluntary compliance in most cases. Investors should note the potential for the program to become permanent, which could introduce limits on STRs in residential zones and a 'home-share' option, while enforcement challenges persist in coastal areas where permits are required.
Source: City of Santa Barbara Chips Away at Illegal Short-Term Vacation Rentals
Columbia, South Carolina
Published: August 5, 2025
Regulation Category: Occupancy, permitting
Summary: Columbia City Council has preliminarily approved amendments to STR rules, including raising the renter age minimum to 25, mandating a two-night stay minimum, and setting occupancy based on total guests, with requirements for neighbor notifications and potential permit revocations for violations. Investors should be aware that these changes, prompted by safety concerns following a moratorium on new STRs, still require two more readings to become law, with the moratorium ongoing until at least Labor Day.
Source: Columbia City Council Takes First Step Toward Changing Short-Term Rental Requirements
Pahrump (Nye County), Nevada
Published: August 6, 2025
Regulation Category: Licensing, tax
Summary: Pahrump has enforced new STR licensing requirements effective August 4, 2025, giving owners 90 days to register, obtain state and local business licenses, complete inspections, and register for room tax with Nye County, with non-compliance leading to penalties. Investors operating in the area must act quickly to comply, as identified STR owners have been notified, and applications are available online under the newly adopted Chapter 8 ordinance.
Source: Pahrump Short Term Rental licensing requirement now in effect
Developing Regulations
Vail, Colorado
Published: August 8, 2025
Regulation Category: Tax
Summary: Vail Town Council is proposing a new tax on short-term rentals for condotels, set for a resident vote, which a local critic argues is overly punitive and should be broadened to include hotels, sales, and wages with exemptions for lower incomes. STR investors in Vail should monitor this ballot measure closely, as it could increase operational costs, though the critic supports a more equitable tax structure and highlights STRs' historical role in enabling real estate purchases in this tourism-driven market.
Source: Letter: Condotels short-term rental tax
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Published: August 11, 2025
Regulation Category: Licensing, zoning
Summary: Pittsburgh is considering new STR legislation that would mandate operators live within 25 miles of properties, limit the number of units per operator, and require zoning permits and licenses for out-of-state investors, while allowing owner-occupants more flexibility. Investors, particularly those from outside the area, should prepare for potential revenue impacts if the bill passes.
Source: Community shares varying thoughts on short-term rental regulations
South Australia, Australia
Published: August 11, 2025
Regulation Category: General regulation (including potential restrictions on operations)
Summary: Research from the University of South Australia indicates that strict STR regulations, as seen in New York City, fail to boost long-term housing supply or affordability and may harm tourism by increasing hotel costs. With South Australia currently reviewing its STR sector through a parliamentary committee, investors should anticipate possible new rules but consider that alternatives to regulation might be pursued to address housing issues without targeting STRs.
Source: Strict rules for short-term rentals and Airbnbs no solution to our housing crisis
Buena Vista (Chaffee County), Colorado
Published: August 11, 2025
Regulation Category: Licensing, zoning
Summary: Buena Vista's Planning and Zoning Commission is debating STR policy changes, including capping licenses for out-of-county owners at current levels (119 fully allocated with a waitlist) and potentially implementing a two-year ownership requirement, while in-county secondary residence licenses remain underutilized. Investors should watch the upcoming Board of Trustees meeting, as suggestions for percentage-based caps could allow for growth, but restrictions on entity ownership might affect local LLCs and overall STR availability.
Source: P&Z sends Comp Plan to Trustees, discusses STR policy
Frisco (Summit County), Colorado
Published: August 12, 2025
Regulation Category: Zoning, development approvals
Summary: A revised development project in Frisco called 'The Glade' at 200 Seventh Avenue, featuring 11 units with 3-6 bedrooms each including short-term rentals, has shifted from opposition to support after size reductions and other modifications totaling 43,570 square feet. STR investors interested in similar projects should note ongoing concerns about traffic increases, with potential mitigations like pedestrian pathways, stop signs, and parking restrictions likely to be required for final approval.
Source: Frisco residents change tune on housing, short-term rental project after plan alterations