This week’s roundup highlights Airbnb’s one-million-dollar investment ahead of the 2026 World Cup, new pool safety rules advancing in Florida, a North Carolina town saying no to short-term rental rules, and an important Arizona court decision defining the scope of local STR regulation. Let’s dive in.
Airbnb announced this week that it will be investing more than one million dollars into Houston, a 2026 World Cup host city, marking the company’s largest community commitment there to date. The funding will support the creation of a new Green Corridor, expanding walkable and sustainable infrastructure through central Houston. The investment also includes support for the Grow the Game initiative, which focuses on improving field access, equipment, and soccer opportunities for youth across the city. A Deloitte report tied to the announcement projects that more than 31,000 guests will stay in Houston using Airbnb during the World Cup, with their spending expected to generate roughly 372 million dollars in regional GDP. Local hosts are also projected to earn around 3,000 dollars in extra income during the event.
In response to more than 100 child drownings in the state so far in 2025, Florida is moving forward with three proposed Senate bills aimed at strengthening pool safety. Senate Bill 608, which focuses on vacation rentals, would require any vacation rental property with a pool to install an approved safety feature if the bill passes. The measure is written to take effect next July and would give the Department of Business and Professional Regulation the authority to suspend or revoke a license if a property is found to be out of compliance.
The planning board in Waynesville, North Carolina, voted this week to end its years-long discussion about potential short-term rental regulations, choosing not to move forward with any new rules. Several board members stated that additional oversight wasn’t necessary, noting that existing ordinances already address issues such as parking and public safety. Board member Dr John Mason said the proposal “smacks of over-reach in so many different ways” and added that the town should “abandon the effort and leave it alone,” underscoring the board’s unanimous decision not to pursue new regulations at this time.
The Arizona Court of Appeals voted unanimously this week to overturn Sedona’s decision to prohibit a mobile home park from renting out its units as short-term rentals. The ruling found that individual mobile homes qualify as "residential rental property" under state law and are therefore allowed to operate as vacation rentals. The court also noted that Sedona’s ban conflicted with Arizona’s statewide short-term rental statute, passed in 2016, which limits the extent to which local governments can restrict short-term rental activity. The decision clears the way for the park to operate short-term rentals and sets a strong precedent for how local governments can regulate short-term rentals across the state.
As new policies arise and communities continue to debate short-term rental regulations, expect continued movement across the vacation rental industry. Check back next week for the latest news.
