Other gated communities have banned short term rentals all together.

@Natasha Jansen that's probably the highest risk with short-term rentals, and you probably experienced this as well in mid-2020 when they banned them in Florida temporarily.

But the third...The 5 bed is a recent target by neighbors in the municipality who have recently discovered that as much as they complain, they cannot ban STRs in the community. 

Lake Chelan and Leavenworth are great places, though STR are banned in the city limits for both those cities but the city limits are rather small so you can get into the county very quickly and still be close to the cities. 

Any signs/concerns with policy changes that would limit and/or ban STR?

Even local laws banning pitbulls do not apply to support animals. 

Is any of this related to investing in real estate, or do I like to ramble on, forever. tic nervI can't find a single meaningful and honest response to this that won't get me banned.

There are a number of MSAs that have banned COVID related evictions.

I have had zero experience with this company, but just wanted to offer my 2 cents as an agent.I looked at their site and yes, they do offer a straight MLS listing for as low as 95$, but the additional services are where they can add up to the same cost or higher than a listing agent would charge you; ie: premium help with forms- $2999, lock box $125 (some local MLS, including my local MLS, specifically BAN non-mls provided lock boxes & if reported your listing can be removed), for sale sign (in your area, SJ) $110, etc etc.Depending on the price of the house youre selling, those fees can quickly add up to be close to or more than what you'd pay a traditional listing agent. 

That's unlikely to be the case, if your city bans them.