Las Cruces says only 35 short-term rentals fully registered ahead of July enforcement
Las Cruces says only about 35 of 725 identified short-term rental properties completed both registrations ahead of July enforcement.
The city identified 725 properties listed as short-term rentals through the end of 2025 and during the first months of 2026.
Damien Willis, Organ Mountain News
LAS CRUCES - Only about 35 properties identified as short-term rentals in Las Cruces had completed both required registration steps as the city prepares to begin enforcing a new ordinance in July, city staff told council Monday, June 1.
The city identified 725 properties that had been listed as short-term rentals through the end of 2025 and during the first months of 2026, Community Development Director Chris Faivre told City Council during a departmental update.
Faivre said the city identified 624 properties through the end of 2025 and an additional 101 properties during the first months of 2026. About 122 had registered with Visit Las Cruces, about 72 had obtained city business registrations and only about 35 had completed both steps.
The City Council adopted its short-term rental ordinance in December. Faivre said the city is preparing to begin enforcement in July.
Short-term rentals are dwellings rented without the intent of becoming a residence and are typically listed on third-party platforms including Airbnb, Booking.com and Expedia, Faivre said. The ordinance excludes hotels, motels and bed-and-breakfast businesses.
Faivre said city staff initially sent letters to property owners identified as operating short-term rentals and are now following up through phone calls and emails to bring properties into compliance.
The city also plans another round of public outreach before enforcement begins. Faivre said staff are working with Visit Las Cruces to determine whether property owners have obtained city business registrations before they complete the Visit Las Cruces registration process.
“That way we don’t see some only doing one and not doing both parts of what’s required,” Faivre said.
Damien Willis
Faivre said Codes Enforcement had not reported major incidents specific to short-term rentals as of the June 1 meeting. He said the city will continue coordinating enforcement procedures as July approaches.
Short-term rental operators must complete both registrations before enforcement begins July 1. Business registrations are available through the city’s Community Development Department, while each short-term rental unit must also be registered with Visit Las Cruces.
The June 1 meeting and all City Council meetings can be viewed on the City's YouTube channel.
Damien Willis is founder and editor of Organ Mountain News. If you have a personal story to share or a lead we should follow up on, reach out at OrganMountainNews@gmail.com or connect with him on X at @damienwillis.
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