How Palm Springs Handles Short-Term Rentals: A Practical Guide
Palm Springs maintains 136 local ordinances across all categories, and 8 of those deal specifically with short-term rentals. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Palm Springs falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Night Caps
Palm Springs caps whole-home STR bookings at 32 rental contracts per calendar year in single-family residential districts, one of California's strictest limits.
Key details: Night Cap: 32-contract cap per calendar year. Booking Count: Each booking counts once. Owner-Occupied: Class A often exempt. Estate Zones: May require 28-night minimum stays. Purpose: Aims to preserve residential.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Palm Springs code enforcement](https://www.palmspringsca.gov/government/departments/vacation-rentals) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
Compared to other cities, Palm Springs takes a harder line on night caps. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.
Taxes & Fees
Palm Springs charges 13.5% Transient Occupancy Tax plus a 1% Tourism Business Improvement District assessment on STRs, with annual registration fees.
Key details: 13.5% Transient Occupancy: 13.5% Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT). Plus: Plus 1% Tourism BID assessment. Monthly Tot Returns: Monthly TOT returns required. Platforms (airbnb/vrbo) Often: Platforms (Airbnb/Vrbo) often collect TOT automatically. Non: Non-payment triggers penalties and permit risk.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Palm Springs code enforcement](https://www.palmspringsca.gov/government/departments/finance) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
Compared to other cities, Palm Springs takes a harder line on taxes & fees. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.
Noise Rules
Palm Springs has one of California's strictest STR noise regimes. Ordinance 1918 requires 24-hour response to complaints via the 760-322-8383 hotline and enforces a two-strike system.
Key details: 24/7 Quiet Enjoyment: 24/7 Quiet Enjoyment Hotline: 760-322-8383. Local Contact must: Local contact must respond within 45-60 minutes. Quiet Hours 10: Quiet hours 10 p.m.-8 a.m.. Two-strike System Suspends: Two-strike system suspends permit. Outdoor Amplified Audio: Outdoor amplified audio banned evenings.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Palm Springs code enforcement](https://www.palmspringsca.gov/government/departments/vacation-rentals) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
Compared to other cities, Palm Springs takes a harder line on noise rules. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.
Registration Rules
Every Palm Springs STR must register annually with the Finance Department, obtain a vacation rental permit under Ord. 1918, and post the permit number in all listings.
Key details: Annual Registration With: Annual registration with Finance Department. Class A Owneroccupied: Class A (owner-occupied) vs Class B (absentee). Permit Number Must: Permit number must appear in all online listings. City Conducts Platform: City conducts platform compliance sweeps. Two Strikes Suspend: Two strikes suspend permit; serious violations revoke.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Palm Springs code enforcement](https://www.palmspringsca.gov/government/departments/vacation-rentals) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
This is one of the stricter rules in Palm Springs's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.
Insurance Requirements
Palm Springs requires vacation rental operators to carry liability insurance, typically at least $500,000 per occurrence, naming the rental activity.
Key details: Liability Insurance Required: Liability insurance required for all vacation rentals. Typical Minimum $500000: Typical minimum $500,000 per occurrence. Homeowner Policies Usually: Homeowner policies usually exclude STR activity. Platform Coverage (Aircover): Platform coverage (AirCover) supplements, not replaces. Proof Required Registration: Proof required at registration and renewal.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Palm Springs code enforcement](https://www.palmspringsca.gov/government/departments/vacation-rentals) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
Parking Rules
Palm Springs caps STR guest parking to on-site spaces and prohibits overflow onto neighborhood streets, with strike enforcement under Ch. 5.25.
Key details: On-site Parking: On-site parking required, typically 1 space per bedroom. Overflow Street: Overflow street parking can trigger a strike. Rvs And: RVs and trailers generally prohibited. Parking Plan: Parking plan must be posted in house manual. Hoas May: HOAs may layer stricter rules.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Palm Springs code enforcement](https://www.palmspringsca.gov/government/departments/vacation-rentals) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
This is one of the stricter rules in Palm Springs's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.
Occupancy Limits
Palm Springs caps STR occupancy at two adults per bedroom plus two additional guests, with separate daytime event limits under Ch. 5.25.
Key details: Formula: 2 Adults: Formula: 2 adults per bedroom + 2 additional overnight. Daytime cap Higher: Daytime cap higher but still limited. Children Under a: Children under a specified age often exempt. Over-occupancy is a: Over-occupancy is a common strike trigger. Limit must be: Limit must be posted in listing and house manual.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Palm Springs code enforcement](https://www.palmspringsca.gov/government/departments/vacation-rentals) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Palm Springs actively enforces its occupancy limits requirements.
Permit Requirements
Palm Springs requires Vacation Rental Registration Certificates under Ordinance 2075/2118. Annual fee is $1,046 ($523 for Junior permits). A 20% neighborhood cap limits permits per area, with waitlists for capped neighborhoods.
Key details: Ordinance: 2075 / 2118. Annual Fee: $1,046 (or $523 Jr). Contracts/Year: 26 max (6 for Junior). Neighborhood Cap: 20% maximum.
Operating without registration: $5,000 fine and permanent disqualification. Three violations in 12 months: 2-year permit suspension. Violations tracked per property.
This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Palm Springs actively enforces its permit requirements requirements.
The Bottom Line
Palm Springs is tougher than many cities when it comes to short-term rentals. Out of the 8 rules covered here, 7 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Palm Springs, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.
All of the above reflects Palm Springs's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.