Executive Summary
Newport Beach just slashed available short-term rental permits to only 56 new spots citywide, creating a scarcity that could drive up existing property values for grandfathered rentals. Kent County, Delaware, loosened restrictions by dropping the on-site owner requirement for smaller properties, potentially opening new investment opportunities. Virginia Beach is voting August 12th on changes that could streamline registration processes, while West Fargo is considering guest background check requirements that might complicate operations. Malta shows enforcement is going global, Airbnb and Booking.com are now directly sharing licensed property lists with local authorities, meaning unlicensed rentals face immediate removal from platforms.
New Regulations
Newport Beach, California
Published: August 1, 2025
Regulation Category: Licensing, Zoning, Parking
Summary: The Newport Beach City Council is updating short-term rental (STR) regulations to align with California Coastal Commission suggestions, incorporating pre-2010 STRs in coastal mixed-use zones into a 75-unit permit cap, leaving only 56 new permits available. These changes enforce stricter occupancy limits, parking requirements, and a controversial 20-unit requirement to enhance accountability and mitigate community impacts like noise and parking congestion.
Source: Newport Beach moves to adopt Coastal Commission changes to short-term rental laws
Kent County, Delaware
Published: August 4, 2025
Regulation Category: Zoning
Summary: Kent County has removed the requirement for owners of STRs on properties smaller than 5 acres to live on-site, aligning STR rules with long-term rental regulations. This change, contrasting with tighter restrictions in neighboring counties, aims to facilitate temporary housing for professionals without introducing new taxes.
Source: Kent County eases short-term rental restrictions
Developing Regulations
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Published: August 4, 2025
Regulation Category: Licensing, Enforcement
Summary: Virginia Beach's City Council is set to vote on August 12, 2025, on proposed changes to STR regulations, focusing on streamlining registration, addressing grandfathered properties, and prioritizing enforcement. These updates could significantly impact STR operations and compliance requirements for property owners.
Source: Virginia Beach to Consider Changes to Short-Term Rental Rules
West Fargo, North Dakota
Published: July 29, 2025
Regulation Category: Occupancy, Parking
Summary: West Fargo is developing a short-term rental ordinance, with a committee reviewing occupancy limits and parking minimums, and seeking public input through a survey until August 22, 2025. The proposed regulations aim to balance community benefits and concerns like noise, with potential requirements like guest background checks under consideration.
Source: West Fargo Continues to Discuss Potential Short-Term Rental Ordinance
Woodstock, Vermont
Published: July 30, 2025
Regulation Category: Licensing, Enforcement
Summary: Woodstock is revisiting its short-term rental regulations after reverting to a 2019 ordinance lacking enforcement mechanisms, with only 40 of an estimated 75 STRs registered. The town is adopting Rentalscape software to enhance compliance monitoring and is considering a cap on STRs to address safety and unregistered properties.
Source: After switching to new tracking software, the Town of Woodstock revisits its STR regulations
Swieqi, Malta
Published: August 1, 2025
Regulation Category: Enforcement, Licensing
Summary: Swieqi residents have partnered with Booking.com and Airbnb to enforce regulations by sharing the Malta Tourism Authority's licensed property list, addressing issues like tourist misbehavior. A national petition with over 1,700 signatures is pushing for stricter measures, including on-the-spot fines and increased enforcement patrols, which could lead to tighter STR regulations.
Source: Swieqi residents secure agreement with Booking.com and Airbnb over problematic rentals