Local Resistance to Short-Term Rentals Goes National

As more cities grapple with the growth of short-term rentals, trends in regulation are beginning to emerge.

1 minute read

October 21, 2018, 7:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Short-Term Rentals

sitthiphong / Shutterstock

According to an article Elaine S. Povich "[m]unicipal officials are left trying to walk the line between the burgeoning short-term rental industry and competing constituencies." Those constituencies include Airbnb and other short-term rental companies, the hotel industry, Airbnb hosts, the neighbors of Airbnb hosts, commercial landlords, and the entire rental market.

As Povich puts it,"[t]raditional housing and hotel industries have struggled to adapt" to the growth of the short-term rental market.

But more local governments are taking action to set the terms of the short-term rental market. Washington, D.C., San Francisco, and New York City have taken action, for instance, and the bulk of this article digs into the specifics and the politics of short-term regulation in New York and D.C., while also giving shout-outs to San Diego, New Orleans, and Chicago.

Thursday, October 18, 2018 in Pew Stateline

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Google street view of red brick multi-story power plant building in Pittsburgh, PA.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower

A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

July 4 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Cyclist on protected bike lane in middle of street in Washington D.C. with Washington Monument obelisk visible in background.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”

The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

July 4 - Streetsblog USA

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business