Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Palm Springs?

**Yes**, Palm Springs requires a Vacation Rental Registration Certificate for all short-term rentals. You need to obtain this certificate annually, and it costs $1052. The city also requires safety inspections to ensure the property meets all safety standards. Refer to Chapter 5.25 for full details.

What is the TOT tax rate in Palm Springs?

**11.5% TOT** is the current transient occupancy tax rate for short-term rentals in Palm Springs. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and remitting it to the city. Be sure to check with the city's finance department for the most up-to-date information and filing procedures.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Palm Springs?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are allowed in Palm Springs but are strictly regulated. Unhosted rentals are capped at 36 guest stays per year. The city prohibits outdoor amplified music. Also, there is a limit of one property per owner to be used as a short-term rental. Refer to Chapter 5.25.

How much does an STR permit cost in Palm Springs?

**$1052** is the fee for the Vacation Rental Registration Certificate in Palm Springs. You must renew this certificate annually to legally operate a short-term rental. This fee covers the cost of registration and helps fund the city's enforcement of short-term rental regulations, per Chapter 5.25.

Can renters host on Airbnb in Palm Springs?

**No**, tenants are not allowed to host on Airbnb in Palm Springs. The regulations only allow property owners to operate short-term rentals. Renters are not permitted to sublease or rent out the property they are renting for short-term stays, according to the city's vacation rental ordinances.

Palm Springs, CA Short-Term Rental Laws

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Verified: Jan 30, 2026

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Summary

The City of Palm Springs strictly regulates vacation rentals under Chapter 5.25, requiring annual registration, safety inspections, and a one-property-per-owner limit. Unhosted rentals are capped at 36 guest stays per year, with a strict prohibition on outdoor amplified music.

Restriction Level

⛔

Strict

Score: 48 (moderate)

Why this classification:

•High permit fee: $1052
•Limited to 1 property per owner
•Tenants cannot host
•Permit required
•Reporting required
•No night cap
•No primary residence requirement

In Plain English

To host an Airbnb in Palm Springs, you must first secure a Vacation Rental Registration Certificate. You are only allowed to own one short-term rental property in the city, and if you live in an apartment, hosting is prohibited. Be aware that the city has a 'no outdoor music' policy and a cap on how many times you can rent out the home each year. You must also collect 11.5% tax from your guests and pay it to the city yourself, as Airbnb does not do this for you here.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

$1,052

Processing Time

30-45 days

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.NO OUTDOOR MUSIC: Amplified music is prohibited outside at all times; even low music can lead to a $500 fine.
2.36-STAY LIMIT: Unhosted rentals are limited to 36 guest stay contracts per calendar year.
3.OWNER LIMIT: Natural persons are limited to owning/operating only ONE vacation rental permit.
4.APARTMENT BAN: Short-term rentals are strictly prohibited in all apartment buildings.
5.NO PLATFORM REMITTANCE: Hosts must manually collect and remit 11.5% TOT; Airbnb does NOT collect this in Palm Springs.
6.ADU RESTRICTION: Accessory Dwelling Units (casitas) built after 2017 generally cannot be used as STRs.
7.IN-PERSON CHECK-IN: Owners or agents must meet guests in person within 24 hours of arrival to explain rules.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(12)

•Palm Springs: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
•Palm Springs limits hosts to a maximum of 1 STR properties per owner.
•Palm Springs: APARTMENT BAN: Short-term rentals are strictly prohibited in all apartment buildings.

Requirements(19)

•Palm Springs: A fire inspection may be required before you can operate. Schedule early as this can delay your start date.
•Palm Springs: IN-PERSON CHECK-IN: Owners or agents must meet guests in person within 24 hours of arrival to explain rules.
•Palm Springs: You must display your permit/registration number on your listing. Platforms may remove non-compliant listings.

Application Process(10)

•Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in Palm Springs: Step 1: Submit Application - Apply via the Palm Springs Vacation Rental portal with the notarized compliance form and grant deed. Documents needed: Notarized Compliance Statement, Grant Deed. Estimated time: 1 week. Cost: 1052. More info: https://www.palmspringsca.gov/government/departments/vacation-rentals-homestays/registration-renewal-and-forms Step 2: Pass Safety Inspection - Schedule and pass a city fire and safety inspection focusing on alarms, extinguishers, and pool safety. Estimated time: 2 weeks. Step 3: Obtain TOT Permit - Register for a Transient Occupancy Tax account with the Finance Department. Estimated time: 1 week. More info: https://www.palmspringsca.gov/government/departments/finance/transient-occupancy-tax-tot

Fees & Costs(1)

•Palm Springs charges a registration fee of $1052 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $526 (Fee for Homestays is lower ($526) than unhosted Vacation Rentals ($1,052). Safety inspection included.).

Taxes(2)

•Palm Springs charges a Transient Occupancy Tax of 11.5%. This applies to stays under 28 days. Hosts are responsible for collecting and remitting this tax. Note: Palm Springs requires owners to remit TOT directly to the city; Airbnb does NOT collect TOT for Palm Springs.

Limits & Restrictions(10)

•Palm Springs limits stays to a maximum of 28 nights.
•Palm Springs enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM to 8:00 AM (Strictly enforced; no outdoor music at any time).
•Palm Springs, CA occupancy calculation: 2 adults per bedroom. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
•Palm Springs: 36-STAY LIMIT: Unhosted rentals are limited to 36 guest stay contracts per calendar year.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Palm Springs requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Pool safety gate/alarm, Posted 'Good Neighbor' brochure, Exterior lighting requirements.

Penalties(6)

•Palm Springs, CA: Operating an STR in a rent-controlled unit can result in permit denial and fines. Apartments are strictly prohibited from being used as vacation rentals per Section 5.25.070.
•Palm Springs, CA: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions(3)

•Palm Springs: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
•Palm Springs exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays.

Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched for educational purposes. Details may be outdated or incomplete. Always verify requirements directly with your city/county planning department before operating a short-term rental.

Other California Markets

Los Angeles

California

Strict

The City of Los Angeles requires all short-term rental hosts to register for a Home-Sharing permit and only permits the rental of one's primary residence. Stays are capped at 120 days per year unless an Extended Home-Sharing permit is obtained, and rentals in RSO-regulated buildings or newer ADUs are strictly prohibited.

Permit requiredNight limitsPrimary residence

0.1% total tax

Anaheim

California

Prohibited

Short-term rentals in Anaheim are strictly limited to approximately 277 'pre-moratorium' operators who were grandfathered in 2019. The city currently prohibits the issuance of any new STR permits. Allowed operators must follow rigid 'Good Neighbor' policies, enforce a 3-night minimum stay, and pay a 15% Transient Occupancy Tax.

Permit required

15.0% total tax

Mammoth Lakes

California

Moderate

Short-term rentals are heavily regulated in Mammoth Lakes and generally restricted to multi-family and resort zones (RMF-2, Resort, etc.). Hosts must obtain an STR Certificate and a Business Tax Certificate, and pay a total TOT rate of 13%. Stays of 31 days or longer are exempt from these regulations.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Big Bear Lake

California

Strict

The City of Big Bear Lake regulates short-term rentals under Chapter 5.44, requiring an annual license, rigorous safety inspections, and a strict guest limit of 2 per bedroom plus 2. Owners are limited to 2 licenses total and must remit a 9% combined TOT and TBID tax quarterly.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Palm Springs

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(12)

Requirements(19)

Application Process(10)

Fees & Costs(1)

Taxes(2)

Limits & Restrictions(10)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(6)

Exemptions(3)

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Anaheim

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Palm Springs

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

Frequently Asked Questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Palm Springs?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Palm Springs?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Palm Springs?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Palm Springs?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Palm Springs?

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Other California Markets

Los Angeles

Anaheim

Mammoth Lakes

Big Bear Lake