This week’s Industry News highlights a key zoning decision in Maui, Airbnb’s latest global Community Fund recipients, Faraday Future’s robotics deployment in vacation rentals, AirDNA’s 2026 investor outlook, and a new STR ordinance in Evanston, Illinois. Let’s dive in.
In continued coverage of Maui County’s vacation rental phase-out, previously reported in Industry News on June 6th, June 13th, July 4th, August 1st, August 29th, October 17th, and December 19th, the Maui Planning Commission voted Tuesday to deny the creation of two new hotel zoning districts that would have allowed thousands of short term rentals to continue operating in apartment zoned areas. The proposal was designed to lessen the impact of Bill 9, which was signed into law at the end of 2025 and will take effect on January 1st, 2029. Bill 9 will phase out thousands of vacation rentals in apartment-zoned districts over the next five years in hopes of restoring long-term housing back to the market. With the Planning Commission’s denial, a two-thirds supermajority of the nine-member Maui County Council would now be required to advance the zoning change.
Airbnb announced this week the latest recipients of its Airbnb Community Fund, with nearly $10 million in donations going to more than 130 nonprofit organizations across 25 countries. The announcement marks the fifth year of Airbnb’s larger pledge to distribute $100 million to communities worldwide by 2030. This year’s donations focus on economic empowerment, sustainable and rural tourism, environmental sustainability, and efforts aimed at ending abuse and exploitation. Airbnb says recipients were selected with input from its global Host Advisory Board, helping ensure the grants reflect priorities identified by local hosting communities around the world.
Robots are making their way into the short-term rental industry. Faraday Future announced this week that it will begin 2026 deliveries of its EAI robots on February 27th, with the first units going to Golden Hills Investment LLC, a Florida-based luxury short-term rental operator. The company says the robots are designed to provide both “functional and experiential value to guests.” Faraday Future says the deployment is part of its broader EAI strategy and is intended to demonstrate real-world applications of robotics within hospitality settings. Additional deliveries are expected throughout 2026, as Faraday Future says it plans to continue expanding its investment and presence in the vacation rental space.
AirDNA released its 2026 Short Term Rental Investor Survey this week, offering insight into how investors are viewing the market in 2026. The report describes a sector defined more by selectivity than slowdown, highlighting continued confidence in short-term rentals even as supply growth stabilizes and market conditions shift. According to AirDNA, acquisition activity is increasingly concentrated among experienced, repeat operators, while smaller and first-time investors remain more cautious. AirDNA believes higher interest rates and rising operating costs are prompting investors to be more disciplined, placing greater emphasis on data-driven decision-making, careful market selection, and realistic revenue projections. The findings point to a maturing market, with growth driven primarily by operators who understand the landscape and are taking a measured approach in 2026.
Previously reported in Industry News on August 1st, Evanston’s City Council has now passed an amended vacation rentals ordinance following months of discussion over pending license applications and criticism of inconsistent rulings. The ordinance clarifies the city’s definition of a short-term rental, establishes an appeals process for denied licenses, and increases penalties for violations. Council members also removed proposed distance and concentration limits, opting instead to have staff evaluate whether new licenses would create a negative cumulative impact on surrounding neighborhoods.
As local governments revisit short-term rental laws, investors take a more selective approach, and new technologies enter the space, the vacation rental industry continues to evolve in 2026. Check back next week for the latest news.