The Airbnb Insider: This Week’s News & Regulations

Good morning!

It’s Monday. I know your inbox is already busier than a cleaner on checkout day, so let’s dive in.

Every week, I’ll serve up the Airbnb & STR news that matters most—think of it as your hosting cheat sheet. Some stories will make you laugh, some might make you sweat, but all of them will help you stay ahead of the game.

By the end of this email, you’ll know what’s trending, where the money’s moving, and which markets might make (or break) your next big investment.

Here’s whats going on this week:

Regulators are still playing tug-of-war with short-term rentals, but in some places, hosts are getting a big green light. Case in point: Steamboat Springs just funneled $10M from STR tax revenue into housing, infrastructure, and local development. That’s right—massive revenue, massive impact. Meanwhile, Charleston settled a lawsuit with Airbnb and VRBO, suggesting a regulatory middle ground could be forming.

Elsewhere, Pittsburgh Airbnb owners are pushing back against new restrictions, Missouri is embracing STRs with a new tax (aka permission to print money), and Airbnb just announced a Host Advisory Board to give operators a seat at the table. Oh, and a guy is suing an Airbnb host after getting shot at a rental party. Yikes.

Let’s dive in.

Headline Roundup

• Steamboat Springs puts STR tax revenue to work: $10M for housing, infrastructure, and more (Yampa Valley Bugle)

• Charleston settles lawsuit with Airbnb and VRBO, signaling regulatory compromise (Post and Courier)

• STR owners in hurricane-hit areas struggle with tourism recovery (The Assembly NC)

• Pittsburgh Airbnb owners push back against proposed STR regulations (CBS News Pittsburgh)

• Ranch owners cash in on Airbnb rentals, offering tourists a rural escape (Drovers)

• Missouri city embraces Airbnb with new STR tax, signaling local support for hosts (Yahoo News)

• Man sues Airbnb & host after being shot at a party rental (Citizen Times)

• Airbnb introduces 2025 Host Advisory Board to give hosts a voice in platform decisions (Airbnb Newsroom)

• Airbnb to announce Q4 and full-year 2024 results on Feb. 13 (Yahoo Finance)

Short-Term Rental Regulations: This Week’s Roundup
(Jan 26–Feb 2, 2025)

Let’s face it: Regulations are boring. Like reading the terms & conditions boring. 

But here’s the thing—ignoring them? That’s how you accidentally light $1 Million on fire.

The game’s shifting—some places are rolling out the red carpet, others are yanking it out from under you. Smart hosts aren’t just watching; they’re adapting, pivoting, and making moves so they don’t go from cashing checks to arguing zoning laws with a guy named Greg from City Hall.

Stay sharp, or get left behind.

New York State, USA

Date of Announcement: January 28, 2025
Impact Level: MAJOR
Regulation Category: Licensing and Zoning
Summary: The new regulations introduce stricter licensing requirements and zoning restrictions for short-term rentals across New York State to mitigate housing shortages and address community concerns.
Source: The Daily News Online

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Date of Announcement: January 30, 2025
Impact Level: MAJOR
Regulation Category: Zoning and Enforcement
Summary: Montreal has introduced a partial ban on short-term rentals, restricting them to specific tourism-designated streets and limiting their operation to the summer months (June 10 to September 10). To enforce this, the city plans to implement fines ranging from $1,000 to $4,000 and will expand its inspection team from three to ten full-time inspectors. Mayor Valérie Plante emphasized that these measures aim to return thousands of units to the long-term rental market and address the housing crisis exacerbated by illegal STR operations.
Source: Ricochet Media

Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada

Date of Announcement: January 31, 2025
Impact Level: MODERATE
Regulation Category: Licensing and Zoning
Summary: The proposed bylaws aim to implement stricter licensing requirements and designate specific zones for short-term rentals to ensure a balanced approach.
Source: Castanet

St. Joseph, Missouri, USA

Date of Announcement: January 27, 2025
Impact Level: MODERATE
Regulation Category: Licensing and Taxation
Summary: St. Joseph is considering an ordinance to regulate short-term rental platforms like Airbnb and VRBO, aiming to boost local economic development. The proposed regulations would require hosts to obtain licenses and adhere to specific taxation policies, reflecting a broader trend of municipalities leveraging short-term rentals to enhance their economies.
Source: Yahoo News

Salida, Colorado, USA

Date of Announcement: January 29, 2025
Impact Level: MODERATE
Regulation Category: Licensing and Zoning
Summary: The Salida City Council is considering new regulations for short-term rentals, including stricter licensing requirements and designated zoning areas. These measures aim to manage the growth of short-term rentals and mitigate their impact on housing affordability and neighborhood character.
Source: The Mountain Mail

Dubuque, Iowa, USA

Date of Announcement: February 1, 2025
Impact Level: MODERATE
Regulation Category: Licensing and Zoning
Summary: The Dubuque City Council is evaluating proposed regulations for short-term rentals, including licensing requirements and zoning restrictions. The initiative aims to address community concerns about neighborhood integrity and housing availability while supporting tourism.
Source: Telegraph Herald

Utah, USA

Date of Announcement: January 31, 2025
Impact Level: MODERATE
Regulation Category: Enforcement
Summary: A new bill in Utah proposes allowing local governments to use listings from platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo as evidence to enforce regulations against unlicensed short-term rentals, provided they have additional supporting information. This legislation aims to strengthen local authorities' ability to manage and regulate the growing number of STRs in the state.
Source: Salt Lake Tribune

Rio Rancho, New Mexico, USA

Date of Announcement: October 2024
Impact Level: MODERATE
Regulation Category: Licensing, Occupancy, Zoning
Summary: The Rio Rancho City Council has proposed regulatory changes to STRs, increasing rental frequency from 52 to 84 times per year, introducing a two-house buffer rule between rentals, and shortening the permit renewal period. These updates respond to community concerns about housing affordability and neighborhood stability while accommodating the annual Balloon Fiesta.
Source: YouTube

Conway, New Hampshire, USA

Date of Announcement: January 28, 2025
Impact Level: MODERATE
Regulation Category: Zoning
Summary: The proposed regulations, pending voter approval, aim to manage the growth of short-term rentals in residential zones to preserve neighborhood character.
Source: Conway Daily Sun

Bluewater, Ontario, Canada

Date of Announcement: January 29, 2025
Impact Level: MINOR
Regulation Category: Occupancy Limits
Summary: The municipality has chosen to continue enforcing current occupancy limits on short-term rentals to address community concerns.
Source: Lakeshore Advance

Rapid City, South Dakota, USA

Date of Announcement: January 28, 2025
Impact Level: MINOR
Regulation Category: No regulatory updates included
Summary: Rapid City officials are seeking public input to address issues related to short-term rental homes, aiming to balance tourism benefits with neighborhood concerns.
Source: KOTA TV

Final Takeaway

Hosting isn’t just about fresh sheets and five-star reviews. It’s about playing the game while the rules keep changing.

Stay sharp, move fast, and stack wins.

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