by Paris Achen | Jan 10, 2023 | Community Engagement, Local Government, Responsible Renting, STR Advocacy 101, Supporting Local Businesses
More than half of the housing units in the mountain town of Truckee, California, are considered vacant, according to the 2020 Census, the most recent statistics available. The properties are largely second homes that sit empty when their owners aren’t staying there or...
by Paris Achen | Oct 14, 2022 | Advocate Engagement, Leadership, Local Government, Organization, Politics & Elections, STR Advocacy 101
Today’s leading short-term rental advocates learned much of their skillset from mistakes they made along the way. Two of them, COO Alexa Nota and Director of Community Development Dana Lubner of Rent Responsibly, recently shared some of their tips and shortcuts for...
by Paris Achen | Oct 14, 2022 | Local Government, Short-Term Rental Regulation, STR Advocacy 101
When it comes to operating a short-term rental business, knowing the law-making process is a must in adequately advocating for yourself, the industry, and your community. STR laws typically come in the form of an ordinance, a law made by a local government such as a...
by Alexa Nota | May 12, 2022 | Advocate Engagement, Community Engagement, Leadership, Local Government, Organization, STR Advocacy 101
With just 8,300 short-term rentals across the entire state1, Vermont might not seem like an important state to watch. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Because the state is so small, it sometimes serves as a testbed for legislation other states could model,...
by Alexa Nota | Apr 28, 2022 | Leadership, Local Government, News, Regulatory News, Short-Term Rental Regulation, STR Advocacy 101
Originally posted on VRM Intel In 1994, the Conley family stepped onto their Emerald Isle vacation rental deck for a family photo. The deteriorated deck nails gave way under the weight of 20 people, and the deck collapsed, injuring several of them. Jim Batten, then...
by Paris Achen | Nov 29, 2021 | Advocate Engagement, Local Government, Organization, Research and Case Studies, Short-Term Rental Regulation, STR Advocacy 101
The homes of Fort Pierce, Florida, stand along a coastline kissed by turquoise-hued waves and silhouetted against spectacular, fiery orange sunsets. Winding through the palm tree-lined streets, it’s easy to see why tens of thousands of people have chosen this place as...
by Alexa Nota | Oct 13, 2021 | Advocate Engagement, Local Government, STR Advocacy 101
As short-term rental ordinances are debated in city hall, there are often several opportunities to submit public comments (also called testimonies) to decision-makers. This doesn’t mean just the City Council – the process often includes multiple committees,...
by Paris Achen | Sep 27, 2021 | Advocate Engagement, Leadership, Local Government, Politics & Elections, STR Advocacy 101
Every election season, short-term rental alliances have an opportunity to educate members on how particular ballot measures or candidates could affect property owners, business owners, the economy, and the community as a whole. Creating your own alliance voter guide...
by Paris Achen | Sep 7, 2021 | Leadership, Local Government, Short-Term Rental Regulation, STR Advocacy 101
Residents of Oregon’s largest city take pride in their identity as trailblazers. It’s evident in everything from the name of the city’s professional basketball team, the Portland Trailblazers, to a milestone ordinance in 2014 that made Portland the first city in the...
by Paris Achen | Mar 23, 2021 | Local Government, Short-Term Rental Regulation, STR Advocacy 101
When a proposed ordinance affects short-term rentals, it may be the first time many property owners interface with the local government. Knowing the terminology used in local government and the short-term rental industry can help you navigate these new waters more...