Palm Desert, CA Short-Term Rentals: Repeat Violator Strikes (2026)

Section 5.10.120 of the Palm Desert Municipal Code applies to any violation of the short-term rental chapter committed by a guest, an owner or the operator. Every violation lets the city manager attach additional conditions to that rental unit, and every violation is grounds to modify, suspend or revoke the short-term rental permit and any affiliated licenses or permits. Before the city manager acts on a revocation, the host, operator or owner gets 10 days' written notice of a hearing where they must show cause why the permit should not be revoked. The notice of the decision can be served personally or by mail.

The strike count runs through administrative citations issued to the property owner under Chapter 8.81 (Administrative Citations). The first citation carries a fine of up to $1,000. A second citation for the same offense within a twelve-month period of the date of the first offense carries up to $3,000. The third citation within twelve months of the first offense carries up to $5,000 and an immediate two-year revocation of the permit. The city can also issue an infraction citation on the same day to guests, hosts or operators, and the infraction ladder uses the same $1,000, $3,000 and $5,000 caps for first, second and third convictions of the same offense within twelve months, with the criminal penalties of Chapter 1.08 attached.

Revocation is not a clean slate. The city manager will not issue a new permit after a revocation unless satisfied that the former holder will comply with the chapter and that the unit meets Section 5.10.070. While a permit is suspended, revoked or otherwise not validly in effect, using the dwelling as a short-term rental is prohibited. Running a rental without a valid permit skips the ladder: $5,000 for the first citation and each additional one, plus the city's right to refuse any new or renewed permit for that property or for that host or operator anywhere else in the City of Palm Desert. The chapter also declares a violation a public nuisance, subject to Chapter 9.24 (Noise Control) and Chapter 9.25 (Multiple Responses to Loud or Unruly Parties, Gatherings or Other Similar Events).