Hemet, CA Short-Term Rentals: Taxes & Fees (2026)

Section 18-709(10) makes tax compliance a standard condition of every short-term lodging permit. " If the owner uses an agent to collect and remit the tax, subsection (b) keeps the owner responsible for making sure the agent actually pays it. Subsection (c) covers hosting platforms: if the administrative services director directs a platform in writing to collect the tax, the owner must still ensure the platform remits it and, when filing a return, must give the city copies of receipts showing the rental date, the hosting platform's name, the tax amount collected, and proof it was remitted.

Getting into the system costs money before a single reservation books: Section 18-707 requires a fee established by resolution of the city council with every application for a new annual permit, a renewal, a reinstatement, or a transfer, capped at no more than necessary to defer the city's administrative and answering-service costs. Owners must also carry a current city business license and short-term lodging permit at all times under Section 18-709(13), and every advertisement for the unit must display the city-issued permit number and disclose the transient occupancy tax amount to the guest before the booking is completed, under Section 18-709(14).

Falling behind on the tax carries real teeth: Section 18-706 lets the city deny a renewal, reinstatement, or transfer application outright if the owner owes unpaid transient occupancy tax, a penalty, a fine, or an inspection cost, and Section 18-714(1)e allows the city to revoke the permit entirely for failing to collect and remit the tax as required.