Vacation rental industry ramps up lobbying

The vacation rental industry is ramping up lobbying to block new restrictions on short-term rentals. 

Cities like New York are passing new ordinances regulating short-term rentals in response to concerns about housing availability and quality of life. But companies like Expedia's Vrbo are pouring millions into influencing lawmakers and the future regulatory environment. 

Vacation rental companies spent $1.4 million in the first half of 2024 on lobbying. The spending marks a 13% increase from the year-ago period and a new focus on lobbying in states like Florida, Colorado and Arizona. 

"We're really eager to work with those local lawmakers to understand what their priorities are, but there are some opportunities to strive for stability and consistency in state law," Senior Director of Government Affairs at Expedia Richard de Sam Lazaro said. 

Professional property managers and local vacation associations are also actively lobbying. In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis was persuaded by the Florida Professional Vacation Rental Coalition in June to veto a new STR bill. 

The bill, which DeSantis called "bureaucratic red tape," would have authorized cities to revoke (or refuse to renew) STR licenses.

So far, analysts don't see new restrictions threatening the viability of Airbnb and other vacation rental platforms. "It would be different if we saw a whole country or even a whole major U.S. state change the rules," Bernstein analyst Richard Clarke said. 

Below, please find Property Guard's weekly short term rental regulation round-up, highlighting state and local news regarding short term rental regulations to regulate (or prohibit) Airbnbs and other STRs. If you want a comprehensive data solution on STR regulations in all 20,000 state and local jurisdictions, contact us here.

New and Proposed Regulations:

• Asheville, North Carolina: The North Carolina Court of Appeals ruled a homeowners association’s ban on short-term rentals was unreasonable and, as a result, unenforceable. (link)
• Saugatuck, Michigan: City officials are considering a 20% cap on short-term rentals in six neighborhoods as part of a years-long crackdown on STRs. (link) 
• Glendale, Arizona: City officials unanimously passed new short-term rental ordinances with harsher penalties. (link) 
• Wichita, Kansas: City council members are recommending changes to a short-term rental ordinance after a shooting at an unregistered Airbnb. (link)
• Newport, Rhode Island: A zoning amendment would allow accessory dwelling units in residential areas, but some residents are concerned about neighborhood density. (link) 

Other Noteworthy News:

• Silver medalist: Alexandria, Virginia could soon implement new rental regulations, but new data shows the city has the second highest AirBnB host rating in the state with an average of 4.9 stars. (link) 
• Homestead exemption: Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte endorsed a task force's proposed “homestead exemption” included in a report on future short-term rental regulations. (link)
• Hotline bling: Greensboro, North Carolina launched a hotline for residents to report short-term rentals after new regulations went into effect in April. (link)