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Compliance Intelligence
Enforcement actions, fines, and regulation changes across 850+ US markets. Know what's happening before it affects you.
Cape Coral is cracking down on unregistered short-term rentals in 2026, with fines reaching $2,000 per violation. Hosts must hold both a city rental license and a Florida DBPR license before taking a single booking. Here is what every Cape Coral host needs to know right now.
Read full article →Bowling Green, Ohio has adopted a new short-term rental ordinance requiring hosts to register with the city, collect and remit the city's hotel lodging tax, and keep a local representative available within 35 miles. Hosts who ignore the rules risk operating illegally in one of northwest Ohio's latest cities to crack down on unregulated rentals.
A deadly after-prom party shooting at a VRBO-listed home in Hazel Park, Michigan has triggered an immediate short-term rental license suspension. The city caps STR licenses at just 30 citywide and explicitly bans house parties, and this enforcement action signals that violations can cost hosts their license overnight. Detroit-area hosts should treat this as a warning shot.
Georgia has criminalized unauthorized occupancy in short-term rentals, giving law enforcement direct power to remove unwanted guests without requiring hosts to go through civil court. Atlanta hosts already face active permit enforcement and direct data-sharing with platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo. Here is what the new law means and what you need to do right now.
Tybee Island's city council is weighing a new ordinance that would replace the island's 2024 phase-out rules with a four-zone system capping short-term rentals at 30% or 60% depending on location. The proposal could reopen the door for some hosts locked out since June 2024, but residential zones would stay tightly restricted. Here is what every Tybee host needs to know right now.
Bakersfield's City Council has approved its first-ever short-term rental ordinance, creating a new permit requirement for the roughly 500 Airbnb and Vrbo properties already operating illegally in the city. Hosts must carry $500,000 in liability insurance and pay a 12% hotel tax, with platforms like Airbnb collecting it directly. A second reading and final adoption are still ahead, but the clock is already ticking for unpermitted operators.
Bath Township in northeast Ohio has effectively prohibited short-term rentals through its zoning regulations, making it one of the most restrictive jurisdictions for STR operators in the state. No registration pathway or licensing exception is available under the current rules. Hosts operating or planning to launch a rental in Bath Township face serious legal exposure.
Houston's registration ordinance is in full effect, nearly 4,000 rentals have already signed up, and unregistered listings will be pulled from Airbnb and VRBO starting in 2027. Here is what is happening and what Houston hosts need to do.
Mayor Michelle Wu's home rule petition to reinstate rent control in Boston could reshape the city's short-term rental landscape, which already operates under some of the strictest STR rules in Massachusetts. With a combined lodging tax rate of 14.45%, fines up to $1,000 per day, and a primary-residence-only requirement, Boston STR operators face compounding regulatory pressure as the rent control debate accelerates toward a potential 2026 ballot measure.
Milwaukee tenants who list their apartments on Airbnb without written landlord approval risk eviction under Wisconsin lease law, with landlords able to serve a notice to quit and file in court. The city runs approximately 2,000 active short-term rentals and enforces its Tourist Rooming House licensing regime with fines between $150 and $500 for unlicensed operators. Here is every number, deadline, and action item Milwaukee STR operators and tenants need right now.
Healdsburg, CA enforces some of California's most restrictive short-term rental rules, with density limits keeping the legal operating pool to roughly 150 active properties citywide. Operators face fines up to $10,000, a 14% local lodging tax, and a strict one-license-per-person cap that bars LLCs and corporations entirely. A property listing at 10936 Eastside Road recently highlighted the scarcity, advertising itself as "one of the area's few properties that can legally operate as a short-term rental."
Folly Beach, SC has reopened its short-term rental ordinance for public review, with proposals ranging from eliminating the 800-license investor cap to tightening noise enforcement. With 955 active STRs already exceeding the cap and new ISTR licenses effectively frozen, operators and investors face significant regulatory uncertainty. Here is every number, rule, and action item you need.
Folly Beach City Council has launched a comprehensive review of its short-term rental ordinance, with proposals to remove the 800-unit permit cap, tighten noise enforcement, and apply new zoning rules. The city currently has 955 active STRs against a cap of 800, with new ISTR licenses frozen and all new applications waitlisted. Operators face fines of $245 to $1,000 and a combined 13% lodging tax obligation.
The South Carolina Supreme Court has upheld a zoning ordinance capping unrelated occupants in a single-family home at three, a ruling with direct implications for short-term rental operators in residential zones. Columbia, SC already enforces a layered STR permit regime under Ord. 2025-107 and Ord. 2026-013, with fines of $500 per violation and a combined 10% lodging tax. Hosts operating in residential districts must now weigh this occupancy ceiling against their listing configurations or risk enforcement action.
A Cortland County Supreme Court ruling has found New York's statewide Short-Term Rental (SOID) registry statute unconstitutional, with the decision now under appeal. Despite the legal uncertainty, Cortland operators still face a 12.625% combined lodging tax rate, a county STR registry requirement, and fines of $50 to $100 for non-compliance. Here is everything STR operators need to know right now.
Cleveland short-term rental operators face a structured compliance gauntlet: a $150 STR license application fee, mandatory annual inspections, a combined 15.75% lodging tax rate, and fines ranging from $1,000 to $1,500 for unregistered properties. The city is actively accepting applications under Cleveland Codified Ordinance Section 365, with enforcement described as medium-level and stable. This guide covers every number, deadline, and action item operators need to stay legal in 2025.
Jacksonville hosts face a $150 annual Short-Term Vacation Rental Certificate, a combined 13.5% lodging tax, and mandatory inspections under Ordinance 2019-8118. Critically, Florida state law bars Jacksonville from regulating STR duration or frequency beyond general residential rules unless a qualifying local ordinance predates June 1, 2011. With roughly 3,000 active listings and fines ranging from $100 to $500, here is everything operators need to know.
Cleveland requires all short-term rental operators to submit a Rental Occupancy Application, pay a $70 annual license fee, and pass an annual inspection. Non-compliant operators face fines between $1,000 and $1,500, while the city's combined lodging tax rate hits 15.75%. Here is everything STR hosts need to know to stay legal in 2026.
Florida's statewide preemption law bars Jacksonville from imposing STR-specific duration or frequency restrictions beyond general residential rules, locking the city into a framework set before June 1, 2011. Hosts still face a $150 annual license requirement, a combined 13.5% lodging tax, mandatory inspections, and fines ranging from $100 to $500 for violations. With roughly 3,000 active STRs and enforcement currently rated stable and low, understanding the full compliance picture is essential before listing.
Chatham County staff are actively discussing changes to short-term rental regulations, targeting safety standards and violation enforcement. With fines up to $1,000 per violation and an increasing enforcement trend, Savannah's roughly 1,200 active STR operators face growing scrutiny. Here is every number, rule, and deadline operators need to know right now.
Charlotte city staff are recommending no changes to the existing short-term rental ordinance, instead doubling down on enforcement that can carry fines up to $500 per violation. With a 9.75% combined lodging tax, mandatory permits, and required safety inspections, non-compliant operators face escalating legal and financial risk. Here is every number and deadline Charlotte STR hosts need to know right now.
Ohio landlords now face mandatory Rental Occupancy Applications, annual fees, and annual inspections statewide, while Columbus short-term rental operators must hold a permit, carry $300,000 in liability insurance, and pay a combined lodging tax rate of 17.5%. Fines for non-compliance in Columbus run $250 to $500 per violation, and enforcement is classified as high. Here is every number you need to stay legal and profitable.
Arizona's 2026 legislative shift hands cities like Mesa direct authority to regulate short-term rentals, ending years of state-level preemption. Mesa already requires a $250 annual STR license, a combined lodging tax rate of 14.27%, and a $500,000 liability insurance minimum. Non-compliant operators face fines ranging from $250 to $2,000, with enforcement trending upward.
Indian Rocks Beach has collected $94,000 in fines and $186,000 in registration fees in 2025-2026, with nearly 200 properties cited for short-term rental violations under Ordinance 2023-02. The city holds twice-monthly code enforcement hearings and levies fines up to $5,000 per violation, making this one of Florida's most actively enforced STR markets. Operators without a Certificate of Use face immediate exposure as enforcement trends continue upward.
Los Angeles enforces one of the strictest short-term rental regimes in the country, requiring hosts to live in their property for at least 183 days per year or face fines of up to $2,000 per day. With over 20,000 registered properties and thousands of listings already removed for non-compliance, the city's enforcement trend is increasing heading into 2026. This guide covers every rule, fine, tax rate, and action item operators need to stay legal.
DeKalb County launched a mandatory short-term rental licensing program on May 20, 2026, giving all active operators 30 days to obtain a $175 annual license or face enforcement. The program adds an 8% monthly hotel-motel tax, bans party-house advertising, and bars properties in historic districts from eligibility entirely.
Providence has launched its first-ever enforcement action under its ban on rent-setting algorithms, targeting the owner of 95 Lofts after a reported 44 percent rent increase linked to algorithmic pricing software. The case, involving a Boston-based private equity firm, marks a turning point in the city's increasingly aggressive rental regulation posture. With fines up to $1,000 per violation and an enforcement level rated high, Providence landlords and STR operators face serious financial exposure.
San Diego's Short-Term Residential Occupancy (STRO) ordinance caps whole-home rentals at 5,400 permits citywide, enforces a $1,000 flat fine per violation, and applies an 11.75% combined lodging tax rate. With 8,351 active STRs and enforcement trending upward, operators without a valid STRO license face immediate financial and legal exposure.
New York City's Office of Special Enforcement actively pursues illegal short-term rentals in Queens and across all five boroughs year-round, with fines reaching $5,000 per violation under Local Law 18 of 2022. Only primary-residence hosts who are present during guest stays and register for a $145 biennial permit may legally rent for fewer than 30 nights. Here is every number, rule, and action item operators need to stay compliant.
Richmond, VA has collected $5.6 million in delinquent transient occupancy taxes, interest, and penalties from short-term rental operators dating back to July 2023. The enforcement action follows a city ordinance extending an 8% hotel tax to Airbnb and VRBO listings, with the Finance Department now projecting $2 million in annual STR tax revenue going forward. Operators still out of compliance face fines of $2,500 and an enforcement trend that city officials describe as increasing.
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Folly Beach, South Carolina seeking public input on changes to its STR ordinance
Folly Beach is soliciting public input on potential amendments to its short-term rental ordinance, with options on the table including eliminating the existing STR cap entirely, enforcing noise restrictions on rental properties, applying different zoning regulations around rentals, and evaluating crime related to rental properties. No final changes have been adopted yet.
Bakersfield preparing to adopt short-term rental ordinance regulating Airbnb and VRBO operations
The City of Bakersfield was preparing to adopt a short-term rental ordinance at a council meeting, covering operations on platforms such as Airbnb and VRBO. The article indicates the vote was scheduled for the Wednesday of publication but does not specify individual ordinance provisions in detail.
Bowling Green, Ohio adopts new STR ordinance requiring registration, lodging tax, and local representative
Bowling Green in northwest Ohio recently adopted a short-term rental ordinance that requires owners to register with the city, pay the city's hotel lodging tax, and maintain a local representative within 35 miles to respond to emergencies. This makes Bowling Green one of the latest Ohio communities to enact formal STR restrictions.
Dearborn Heights Defends STR Ban as Constitutional in Federal Court
The city of Dearborn Heights argued in Michigan federal court on June 1, 2026, that its zoning ordinance banning short-term rentals is constitutional. The city contends that a group of property management companies challenging the ban lack standing and that the city has full legal authority to regulate rental properties.
Folly Beach City Council Reviews STR Ordinance and Voter-Approved Cap
Folly Beach City Council has begun a comprehensive review of the city's short-term rental ordinance, reopening a debate that has divided the island since voters approved an STR cap in a 2023 referendum. The review could result in changes to the existing cap.
Bakersfield City Council Considers First-Ever STR Ordinance
The Bakersfield City Council approved amendments to a proposed ordinance that would establish brand-new rules for Airbnbs and Vrbos in the city. The Council held its first reading of the proposed short-term rental ordinance, meaning a second reading and final vote are still required.
Atlanta Intensifies STR Enforcement Through Direct Platform Data Integration
Atlanta has established a direct data-sharing arrangement with major STR platforms including Airbnb and Vrbo to cross-reference host data against the city's permit registry. This automated matching system significantly strengthens the city's ability to identify unpermitted listings and enforce compliance.
Georgia Criminal Liability for Unauthorized STR Occupancy
Georgia has reclassified unauthorized occupancy violations as a criminal offense termed 'prohibited possession,' empowering law enforcement to intervene directly rather than requiring civil court proceedings. This significantly raises the legal jeopardy for STR hosts operating without proper authorization.
Atlanta Code of Ordinances Updated Through March 2026
Atlanta's Code of Ordinances has been updated through Ordinance No. Z-2026-10(26-O-1004), effective March 16, 2026. This reflects recent revisions to the city's regulatory framework affecting STR operations.
Denver STR Classification Rules Vary by Property Features
Denver's STR permitting and rental legality depend on specific property constraints including zoning, overlays, utilities, and access. Adding cooking capability can significantly change how a space (particularly ADUs or basement units) is classified for permitting, insurance, and rental legality under Denver rules.
Dearborn Heights Defends STR Ban in Federal Court
Dearborn Heights is defending its short-term rental ban in federal court against legal challenges from companies claiming the ordinance violates property rights and shuts down lawful businesses without justification. The case centers on whether the municipality overstepped its regulatory authority or improperly restricted business operations.
Hazel Park Suspends STR License and Enforces Strict Occupancy Rules
Hazel Park suspended a short-term rental license following a deadly after-prom party shooting and enforces strict regulations: citywide cap of 30 STR licenses, maximum 10-person occupancy per property, and absolute prohibition on house parties. The city uses safety incidents as justification for license suspensions.
Detroit Tightened STR Compliance Requirements; Registration, Inspections, and Tax Compliance Now Mandatory
Detroit implemented new rental registration and inspection rules requiring landlords to register rentals, pass inspections every 2-3 years, resolve blight tickets and delinquent taxes, and obtain a certificate of compliance. The article notes these rules have not effectively improved housing safety as intended, suggesting potential for further regulatory tightening.
Cleveland City Council Passes STR Licensing Requirements with Fines and Revocation
Cleveland City Council has approved new short-term rental legislation requiring current operators to apply for new licenses on a first-come, first-served basis. Violators face fines up to $5,000 and license revocation. The policy creates a competitive licensing environment where existing operators must re-qualify.
Folly Beach, South Carolina Seeks Public Input on STR Ordinance Changes
Folly Beach is seeking public input on proposed changes to its short-term rental ordinance. Options presented to the city council include eliminating the existing STR cap, enforcing noise restrictions on rental properties, applying differentiated zoning regulations, and evaluating crime associated with rentals.
Bakersfield, California Prepares to Adopt Short-Term Rental Ordinance
The City of Bakersfield is preparing to adopt an ordinance regulating short-term rental operations on platforms such as Airbnb and VRBO. The ordinance was slated for adoption at an upcoming council meeting.
Bowling Green, Ohio Adopts STR Registration, Hotel Tax, and Local Representative Requirements
Bowling Green in northwest Ohio recently adopted a short-term rental ordinance requiring owners to register with the city, pay the city's hotel lodging tax, and ensure a local representative is available within 35 miles to respond to emergencies. This makes Bowling Green one of the latest Ohio communities to enact STR restrictions.
Los Angeles STR Enforcement Gap: Illegal Airbnbs Rampant as No Agency Claims Jurisdiction to Enforce HSO
Illegal short-term rentals are operating widely in Los Angeles despite the Home-Sharing Ordinance (HSO), with LAPD, City Council offices, and the City Planning Department each declining enforcement responsibility. The Planning Department has regulatory jurisdiction over the HSO but lacks enforcement authority, leaving noncompliant STRs in a legislative no-man's-land with no accountability mechanism actively being pursued.
Cleveland City Council Passes New Short-Term Rental Regulations Including Block-Level Density Cap
Cleveland City Council has passed new STR legislation that limits short-term rentals to at least one unit or no more than 10% of the total residential units on a block or in a multi-unit building, whichever is greater. The debate continues among stakeholders even after passage, suggesting potential implementation challenges.
Cape Coral Requires Registration for All Residential STR Properties Under 2021 Ordinance
Under a 2021 ordinance, all residential rental properties with four or fewer units in Cape Coral must register with the city. The one-time registration fee is $35 per property.