Author Archives: Tessa Zavala

What’s happening? Washington and Virginia recently enacted laws to discourage armoring structures and promote “living” shorelines. Washington State also prohibits property owners from repairing or replacing their seawalls except as a last resort and included compromise language from the state builder association, Building Industry Association of Washington. Why is this important? Seawalls tend to move […]

What’s happening? Colorado overturned its state preemption on 2nd amendment laws. Why is this important? Colorado became the 1st to overturn preemption and 1 of 8 states that allow local governments to pass stricter ordinances on firearms laws. How will this be important? Does overturning preemption feed into other preemptions, which have been on trend […]

What’s happening? Miami Beach has determined the best way to preserve its transportation infrastructure is to elevate its roadways. Some property owners near elevated roadways are suing because floodwaters made their property unusable as short term rentals. Why is this important? Property owners allege that repeated flooding will make the property inhabitable. The initial flooding […]

What’s happening? I had no idea there were formalized agreements on private property rights and space. There are and they’re entitled, respectively, Treaty On Principles Governing The Activities Of States In The Exploration And Use Of Outer Space, Including The Moon And Other Celestial Bodies, aka the Outer Space Treaty of 1967 (OST) & the […]

What’s happening? Duluth, MN is adopting new policies for rentals: Short-term permits would be valid for 21 nights a year No cap on Short term permits Cap on stays, not to exceed 7 days Full-time vacation rental permits were capped at 60  Full time vacation rentals have no caps downtown & in the business districts […]

What’s happening? Maine has a ballot proposition on the right to food. Supporters say it ensures the right to grow vegetables and raise livestock in an era when corporatization threatens local ownership of the food supply. Opponents say it endangers animals and the food supply. Why is this important? The brainchild of this proposition is […]

What’s happening? The US Restaurant Association wrote to the U.S. Conference of Mayors that extending waivers for outdoor dining is necessary for the industry’s survival. Why is this important? Land Use. Sidewalks and Parking lots are what’s being utilized for outdoor dining. Plus, 2/3 of restaurants who applied received no funding from the Restaurant Revitalization […]

What’s happening? Telluride Colorado has 2 ballot propositions this fall. (1) limits the number of short term rentals to 400 and implement a lottery system for permits. (2) cap and freeze licenses for two years and double short-term rental business license fees. Why is this important? Tourist towns are grappling with a lack of affordable […]

What’s happening? Winter Park is participating in “Short-Term Fix” (winter Park) that offers homeowners up to $20,000 for converting their Winter Park vacation homes to housing for locals. Breckenridge is participating in  “Lease to Locals” offers short-term rental owners up to $27,000 if they ink a year-long lease with local workers. Why is this important? […]

What’s happening? Gallup released polling about whether American like their 3 branches of government. Surprise! not so much. 43% like the President. 27% like Congress. 2/5 like the Supreme Court. Why is this important? When the Supreme Court issued its Kelo decision on Eminent Domain in 2005, its approval tanked to the low level it […]