Category Archives: State Policy & Legislation

States enact new laws regulating short-term vacation rentals (AZ, MA, WA – 2019)

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities City and town governments have been regulating short-term and vacation rentals for several years, especially with the growing popularity of online rental platforms such as Airbnb, HomeAway, VRBO, and others. The battle over short-term rentals is controversial, often pitting neighborhood residents against owners and investors who earn substantial profit sharing their home. Local regulation typically results in inconsistent, piecemeal regulations from town to town. Not wanting to miss out Continue ReadingStates enact new laws regulating short-term vacation rentals (AZ, MA, WA – 2019)→

Deborah Goonan, Shu Bartholomew discuss children, lemonade stands, and property rights On the Commons

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Lemonade stand children

by Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities UPDATED June 12, 2012 This week, Shu Bartholomew and I discussed a sign of positive change for children and families in HOA-governed communities in the U.S. A few weeks ago, I wrote about Texas House Bill 234. It’s common sense legislation that gives kids the freedom to set up a lemonade stand on private property, without paying for a city permit. But here’s what make HB 234 noteworthy. It Continue ReadingDeborah Goonan, Shu Bartholomew discuss children, lemonade stands, and property rights On the Commons→

HOA, Condo & Co-op legislation highlights (June 2019, CO, IN, MD, NV, WA )

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Law legislative legislature forum

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities This month: Colorado CAM licensure extension vetoed; no mandatory mediation for Indiana HOAs; developer HOA voting rights clarified in Maryland; construction defect law changes in Nevada and Washington; WUCIOA limitations. Colorado CAM Licensure extension bill vetoed by Gov. Polis Since I last updated readers on the status of HB19-1212, the bill pertaining to continuation of licensing requirements for Community Association Managers (CAMs), I have learned that Governor Jared Polis Continue ReadingHOA, Condo & Co-op legislation highlights (June 2019, CO, IN, MD, NV, WA )→

Texas kids free to sell lemonade & their HOA can’t stop them

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Lemonade in glasses with straws

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities UPDATED JUNE 12, 2019 Texas lemonade stand law applies to homeowners’ associations, too “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” It’s a familiar adage parents and grandparents use to teach children to make the best of a bad situation. So why not whip up a batch of lemonade, and sell some to the neighbors? No can do? You say your City government and your HOA won’t allow it? Well, Continue ReadingTexas kids free to sell lemonade & their HOA can’t stop them→