Palm Springs Short-Term Rental Regulations
| Permit | ✓ Required — Vacation Rental Registration Certificate ($1,046) — See below for other permit types |
| Primary Residence | Varies by permit type |
| Annual Day Limit | 6–26 days (varies by permit type) |
| Tax Rate | 12.5% |
| Max Penalty | $5,000 per violation (plus potential permanent license revocation) |
| Insurance | Not required |
New to short-term rentals? Jump to the compliance checklist →
Permit & Licensing
- Vacation Rental Registration Certificate — Owner not present during rental. Up to 26 contracts/year for new permittees ($1,046/year).
- Homeshare Registration Certificate — Primary residence required — limited to 6 days/year ($523/year)
- Junior Vacation Rental Registration Certificate — Reduced-fee permit limited to 6 rental contracts/year (50% of standard registration fee).
Vacation Rental Registration Certificate
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Initial cost | $1,046 |
| Renewal | $1,046 / 1 year |
This permit type does not require primary residence.
Homeshare Registration Certificate
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Initial cost | $523 |
| Renewal | $523 / 1 year |
The property must be your primary residence. This means investment properties are not eligible for this permit type.
Junior Vacation Rental Registration Certificate
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Initial cost | $1,046 |
| Renewal | $1,046 / 1 year |
This permit type does not require primary residence.
Application Process
Obtain Vacation Rental/Homeshare Registration Certificate and TOT permit. Online payment through GovOS (since July 1, 2024). Annual renewal required.
Note: Document requirements vary by permit type. See individual permit sections above for eligibility details.
Tax Obligations
| Tax | Rate | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) | 11.5% | City of Palm Springs |
| Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) | 1% | City of Palm Springs |
Combined rate: 12.5% of gross rental income.
Collection: Self-remit. Operators file monthly TOT returns directly with the City of Palm Springs via GovOS online portal.
Filing: Monthly. File with City of Palm Springs via GovOS even if no rental activity occurred.
Rental Limits
Palm Springs annual day limit: 6–26 days (varies by permit type). Each individual stay must be 28 days or fewer per stay.
Zoning & Restrictions
Neighborhood density cap of 20% of residential dwelling units per neighborhood. New applications not accepted in neighborhoods at or above 20%.
Insurance & Safety
Insurance
Palm Springs does not require short-term rental operators to carry specific insurance. Standard homeowner policies often exclude short-term rental activity, so many hosts obtain dedicated short-term rental or landlord liability coverage.
Safety & Operating Requirements
- No outside amplified noise (music) allowed at any Vacation Rental or Homeshare property while being rented
- Music must be fully contained within the property at all times
- Property must comply with all applicable codes regarding fire, building and safety, health and safety
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Administrative citations: $1,000 (first violation), $2,000 (second violation within 12 months), $5,000 (third or subsequent violation within 12 months); permanent ineligibility possible for serious violations
Compliance Checklist
Follow these steps to legally operate a short-term rental in Palm Springs:
- Determine your permit type. Palm Springs has 3 permit types. Identify which applies to your property (Vacation Rental Registration Certificate, Homeshare Registration Certificate, Junior Vacation Rental Registration Certificate).
- Meet safety requirements. No outside amplified noise (music) allowed at any Vacation Rental or Homeshare property while being rented. Music must be fully contained within the property at all times. Property must comply with all applicable codes regarding fire, building and safety, health and safety.
- Apply for your STR permit. Submit application. Fees vary by type: Vacation Rental Registration Certificate $1,046; Homeshare Registration Certificate $523; Junior Vacation Rental Registration Certificate $1,046. See permit types above to determine which applies.
- Register for tax accounts. Set up hotel occupancy tax accounts with the city tax authority.
- Collect and remit taxes. 12.5% on all bookings.
- Renew annually. Renewal fees vary by permit type ($1,046 / $523). See permit types above.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do you need a permit to run an Airbnb in Palm Springs?
- Yes. Palm Springs requires a short-term rental permit to operate an Airbnb or Vrbo, and there are 3 permit types — one requires the property to be your primary residence, and another allows non-owner-occupied (investment) use. See the permit types above to find which applies to your property.
- How much does a short-term rental permit cost in Palm Springs?
- Permit costs in Palm Springs vary by type: Vacation Rental Registration Certificate $1,046; Homeshare Registration Certificate $523; Junior Vacation Rental Registration Certificate $1,046.
- Does Palm Springs require a short-term rental to be your primary residence?
- It depends on the permit type. At least one Palm Springs permit requires the property to be your primary residence, while another allows non-owner-occupied (investment) use — see the permit types above.
- How many days a year can you short-term rent in Palm Springs?
- Palm Springs's annual rental limit depends on the situation: 6–26 days (varies by permit type).
- What taxes do you pay on a short-term rental in Palm Springs?
- Short-term rental stays in Palm Springs are subject to a combined 12.5% in lodging taxes. This combines 11.5% Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) + 1% Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID). The host is responsible for collecting and remitting them.
- What happens if you run a short-term rental without a permit in Palm Springs?
- Operating without a permit can cost up to $5,000 per violation (plus potential permanent license revocation).
Tools for Short-Term Rental Hosts
AdServices that help hosts handle the legal, management, pricing, and cleaning side of a short-term rental.