News You Can Use – December 1, 2025 – TOP STORY: Arizona appeals court says Sedona can’t bar vacation rentals in mobile home parks
A typical good news/bad news day from around the country, with a good court decision out of Arizona, and a bad City Council ignoring the voter-expressed will of the people in Maryland.
1) TOP STORY: Sedona & Arizona — Appeals court limits city’s ability to ban short-term rentals in mobile home parks
An Arizona appeals court has ruled that Sedona cannot prohibit a mobile home park from operating short-term rentals, siding with the property owner and rejecting the city’s attempt to apply local STR restrictions in that setting. The decision narrows local discretion and reinforces state-level protections for vacation rentals in Arizona.
Links:
– Arizona Capitol Times
– Eastern Arizona Courier
– Arizona Daily Star / Tucson.com
– Mohave Daily News
– KJZZ
– 12News
2) Ocean City, Maryland — Officials weigh next steps and possible moratorium on short-term rentals
Ocean City officials are debating how far to go with new limits on short-term rentals, including whether to extend a moratorium while they study long-term options. Residents, rental agents, and city leaders are divided over how to balance tourism with neighborhood quality-of-life and housing concerns.
Links:
– WBOC
– OC Today Dispatch
– Coast TV
3) Sandpoint, Idaho — City scrambles to undo short-term rental cap
Sandpoint officials are moving quickly to erase a cap on short-term rentals after concerns were raised about its legality and consistency with state policy. The city is looking for alternative approaches to manage STR growth while avoiding legal challenges.
Links:
– Spokane Public Radio
4) Carson City, Nevada — Supervisors focus on short-term rentals as issue gains attention
Carson City supervisors are giving renewed attention to how short-term rentals should be handled, with discussion centering on neighborhood impacts and fair treatment of different lodging types. Future meetings are expected to shape any changes to the city’s STR rules.
Links:
– Nevada Appeal
5) Fayetteville, Arkansas — Council to consider amendments affecting short-term rentals
The Fayetteville City Council is set to consider amendments that include changes related to short-term rentals. The proposals reflect ongoing efforts to clarify regulations as STRs become a larger part of the local housing and lodging market.
Links:
– Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
6) Decatur, Alabama — City finally takes up regulating short-term rentals
Decatur officials are now formally considering regulations for short-term rentals after years of discussion. City leaders are weighing registration, zoning, and enforcement options to respond to neighborhood concerns and bring STRs into a clearer legal framework.
Links:
– The Decatur Daily
7) Eastern New Mexico — City developing new short-term rental ordinance
A city in eastern New Mexico is developing an ordinance to govern short-term rentals, aiming to set basic standards and oversight for the growing segment. Officials say the goal is to allow STRs while addressing complaints about noise, parking, and neighborhood impacts.
Links:
– Eastern New Mexico News
8) Rapid City, South Dakota — Committee pushes vacation rental ordinance forward
In Rapid City, a council committee is pushing for passage of a vacation rental homes ordinance that would more clearly regulate STRs within city limits. The proposal has sparked debate over how to balance tourism benefits with concerns from nearby residents.
Links:
– KOTA TV
9) Bullskin Township, Pennsylvania — Township adopts short-term rental resolution
Bullskin Township officials have adopted a resolution addressing short-term rentals, signaling a willingness to more actively manage STR activity. The resolution outlines local expectations for rental operators and may lay the groundwork for future ordinances.
Links:
– The Daily Courier
10) Belleville, Ontario (Canada) — City introduces new short-term accommodation by-law
Belleville is introducing a new by-law to regulate short-term accommodations, setting out licensing and operational rules for hosts. City leaders say the changes are intended to better track STRs and respond to neighborhood concerns.
Links:
– 91X FM
11) Talbot County, Maryland — Hearing draws crowd on future of short-term rentals
Residents and rental agents packed a Talbot County hearing on proposed changes to short-term rental rules. Testimony highlighted tensions between property rights, tourism revenue, and the desire to preserve community character.
Links:
– Star Democrat
12) Charlottesville, Virginia — City seeks public input on regulating short-term stays
Charlottesville is asking residents how the city should regulate short-term stays, including whole-home and room rentals. Feedback from the outreach process will help shape potential zoning and licensing proposals.
Links:
– Cville Tomorrow
13) Florida — Lawmaker proposes vacation rental pool safety bill
A Florida legislator has proposed a bill to strengthen pool safety requirements at vacation rentals, responding to concerns raised in a recent investigative report. The measure would add specific safety standards for STR pools to help prevent drownings and injuries.
Links:
– KSBY / Scripps News
14) Simi Valley, California — Opinion argues STRs should be allowed with regulation
An opinion piece in the Simi Valley Acorn argues that short-term rentals should be permitted but subject to reasonable regulation. The author contends that clear rules can address nuisance issues without banning STRs outright.
Links:
– Simi Valley Acorn
15) Franklin County, Florida — Column urges more diverse venues instead of more STRs
A column in Franklin County’s local news outlet argues the city needs a more diverse mix of venues, rather than expanding its stock of short-term rentals. The writer warns that an overreliance on STRs could undermine long-term community and economic goals.
Links:
– Franklin County News
16) Decatur & regional — Fresno and other communities continue STR debates (paywalled coverage)
The Fresno Bee is also covering local debates over short-term rentals, but the article is behind a paywall, so specific details are not available here. In general, these discussions echo familiar themes of housing affordability, neighborhood impacts, and how aggressively cities should regulate STRs.
Links:
– The Fresno Bee
Questions or concerns about how these stories might impact Newport Beach STRs? Feel free to reach out — we’re here to help.
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