News You Can Use – November 17, 2025 – TOP STORY: Galveston tightens short-term rental rules after city council vote

1) TOP STORY: Galveston, Texas — City council tightens short-term rental regulations

The Galveston City Council approved changes tightening rules for short-term rentals, adding stricter standards and enforcement tools after extensive debate among residents, rental owners, and tourism interests. Supporters say the ordinance will better protect neighborhoods, while critics warn it could hurt the local visitor economy and property rights.
Links:
– Houston Public Media
– Houston Chronicle
– The Daily News (Galveston County)

2) Riverhead, New York — Town targets illegal short-term rentals with ad ban and higher fines

Riverhead officials are moving to crack down on unpermitted short-term rentals by proposing a ban on advertising illegal listings and sharply increasing fines for violators. Town leaders say the changes are aimed at curbing repeat offenses and protecting residential neighborhoods from commercial STR activity.
Links:
– Riverhead News-Review

3) San Diego, California — Report links short-term rentals to displacement pressures

A new report from San Diego highlights tenants who have been displaced when landlords convert long-term units into short-term rentals. Housing advocates argue STRs are worsening the city’s affordability crisis, while hosts and platforms say they are complying with existing city rules.
Links:
– The San Diego Union-Tribune

4) Coeur d’Alene, Idaho — Mayor urges council to consider new vacation rental limits

Coeur d’Alene’s mayor is urging the city council to explore new restrictions on vacation rentals, citing neighborhood impacts and concerns about housing availability. The request sets up a broader discussion over how far the city should go in regulating STRs in residential areas.
Links:
– Coeur d’Alene Press

5) Lake Elmo, Minnesota — Council weighs allowing short-term rentals amid enforcement concerns

The Lake Elmo City Council is considering whether to formally allow short-term rentals while addressing gaps in compliance and enforcement. Officials are weighing how to balance potential tourism and revenue benefits with complaints about noise, parking, and zoning conflicts.
Links:
– Citizen Portal

6) Flagstaff, Arizona — City debuts public map of short-term rentals

Flagstaff officials have released a new public map showing the locations of registered short-term rentals in the city. The tool is intended to give residents and policymakers clearer insight into STR concentration and trends as state and local rules continue to evolve.
Links:
– Arizona Daily Sun

7) South Carolina — Local community debates tighter short-term rental rules

A local community in South Carolina is debating whether to tighten rules governing short-term rentals as residents raise concerns about neighborhood character and housing availability. Property owners and hosts are cautioning against overregulation, arguing STRs support tourism and local businesses.
Links:
– The State

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