Palm Desert, California Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: Are STRs allowed in Palm Desert, CA?

Yes. Short‑term rentals are allowed in Palm Desert, subject to the city’s zoning rules, permitting, safety and operational requirements, and transient occupancy tax (TOT) obligations. Rentals of fewer than twenty‑seven (27) consecutive days require a City STR permit. A separate Transient Occupancy Tax Operator Permit is also required to collect and remit TOT. The City is launching a new online permitting system on October 27, 2025; permit fees are scheduled to update at that time.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Palm Desert?

Palm Desert hosts earn a median $27,211/year with $285 ADR and 53% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $41,289+ per year.

See the full Palm Desert market breakdown

Market entry: How to start an STR business in Palm Desert

Confirm zoning eligibility before purchase or lease. Some zones allow both “on‑site owner” and “off‑site owner” STRs; others restrict operation to on‑site owners only.
Secure homeowner association (HOA) approval in planned residential communities (HPR, PR) if the owner will not reside on‑site.
Obtain a Short‑Term Rental (STR) permit for stays under 27 days; obtain a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Operator Permit and set up collection/remittance procedures.
Comply with fire/life‑safety requirements, display the city‑issued permit number in all advertisements, maintain a 24‑hour local contact, and adhere to advertising and conduct standards.
Monitor changes: a new online permitting system and fee schedule take effect on October 27, 2025.

Permits, licenses, and required documentation

Short‑Term Rental (STR) Permit (city)
- Required to rent a dwelling for fewer than 27 consecutive days.
- City is deploying an online permitting portal starting October 27, 2025; use the city’s STR portal and documentation for current fees and application steps.
Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Operator Permit
- Required to collect and remit the City’s TOT. The City’s lodging tax rate is 11% and there is a 1% assessment by the Greater Palm Springs Tourism Business Improvement District (GPS TBID).
Business license
- Required per the City’s business license program (processed through the Business License division).
Safety and compliance
- City fire/life‑safety requirements (e.g., smoke/CO alarms, emergency information, posted rules) and contact/response standards as specified by city code.
HOA documentation (where applicable)
- HOAs in planned residential zones (HPR, PR) may require explicit written approval for off‑site owner STRs.

Palm Desert zoning rules and owner‑residency requirements

Short‑term rentals are prohibited in R1 and R2 zones, except for on‑site owner STR permits. STRs are allowed in the following districts:

DEO (Downtown Edge Transition Overlay): Contact City staff to confirm eligibility.
RE (Residential Zone): Allowed for on‑site or off‑site owners.
HPR (Hillside Planned Residential): Allowed with an HOA approval letter or for on‑site owners.
PR (Planned Residential): Allowed with an HOA approval letter or for on‑site owners.
R3 (Residential Multiple Family): Allowed for on‑site or off‑site owners.

Note: If a property sits in an overlay or unique area, contact the Planning Department for case‑specific confirmation.

Operational rules, taxes, and enforcement

Minimum stay and definition
- STRs are rentals of fewer than 27 consecutive days and require a city permit.
Taxes
- 11% TOT to the City; 1% assessment to the Greater Palm Springs Tourism Business Improvement District (GPS TBID).
- A TOT Operator Permit is required to collect and remit taxes.
Advertising and permit display
- Include the city STR permit number in all advertisements.
Contact and complaint management
- Provide a 24‑hour local contact and respond to guest issues/neighbor complaints promptly.
Events
- Weddings, parties, conferences, and similar events are generally prohibited under STR rules unless a separate event permit is obtained.
HOA and community rules
- In planned residential zones (HPR, PR), HOA approval is required for off‑site owner STRs. Hosts must follow any HOA parking, quiet hours, occupancy, and amenity policies.
Penalties and enforcement
- The City enforces compliance through its code compliance program; violations can result in fines, penalties, permit suspension, or revocation.

State‑level regulations that affect your STR (California)

Transient Occupancy Tax at the state level
- California does not impose a statewide transient occupancy tax. Cities and counties set their own rates (e.g., Palm Desert’s 11% TOT).
State short‑term rental framework
- California has no statewide licensing scheme for short‑term rentals. Municipalities regulate STRs through local ordinances and business licensing. Certain statutory topics intersect with STR operations:
  - Advertising truth‑in‑advertising and permit disclosure (city‑specific).
  - Health and safety, fire code, and habitability standards (state and local).
  - Nuisance, noise, and public health provisions.
  - Consumer protection and fair advertising practices.
Civil Code provisions (HOAs)
- California Civil Code § 4746 and § 4745 affect an HOA’s ability to ban STRs, with nuances regarding on‑site owner use and definitional specificity. Even where HOA bans are limited by statute, most governing documents still regulate STRs (occupancy, parking, quiet enjoyment). Always obtain written HOA confirmation for off‑site owner STRs.

Note: State statutes and city ordinances can change; consult the City’s municipal code portal and local counsel for updates.

Contact information for Palm Desert’s STR authority

City of Palm Desert – Short‑Term Rentals
- Website: www.palmdesert.gov/our-city/departments/planning/short-term-rentals
City Contact Portal (phone, email, departments)
- www.palmdesert.gov/our-city/contact-us
Permit Center / Development Services Center (DSC)
- www.palmdesert.gov/our-city/departments/planning/palm-desert-permit-center
- Business License and Planning support through the Business License division and Permit Center.
Municipal Code (access ordinances and fee schedules)
- ecode360.com/PA4981
Engage Palm Desert – permitting fees and updates (Oct 27, 2025 changes)
- www.engagepalmdesert.com/user-fee

Quick reference: links and source pages

City STR landing page and zoning overview
- www.palmdesert.gov/residents/short-term-rentals
- www.palmdesert.gov/departments/str-allowable-zoning-district
Palm Desert Municipal Code (STR, TOT, permits)
- Title 5, Chapter 5.10 – Short‑Term Rentals: library.qcode.us/lib/palm_desert_ca/pub/municipal_code/item/title_5-chapter_5_10?view=all
- Title 3, Chapter 3.28 – Transient Occupancy Tax: library.qcode.us/lib/palm_desert_ca/pub/municipal_code/item/title_3-chapter_3_28
Rent Responsibly – Palm Desert STR information
- www.rentresponsibly.org/ca/palm-desert/
Regional overview (Coachella Valley) – helpful context
- www.geoffreymoore.com/blog/stvr-rules-in-the-coachella-valley.html

Investor checklist

Confirm zoning (R1/R2 prohibited except for on‑site owner; HPR/PR need HOA approval for off‑site owners).
Secure TOT Operator Permit and set up tax remittance (11% + 1% GPS TBID).
Apply for STR permit via city portal (fee changes effective Oct 27, 2025).
Display permit number in all ads; add 24‑hour contact details.
Align property with fire/life‑safety and posted rules; document compliance.
Integrate HOA rules (parking, occupancy, events) and obtain written approval if required.
Plan for enforcement response and maintain good neighbor relations.

Next step

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Ask the AI Advisor about Palm Desert

Palm Desert is a city in Riverside County, California, situated in the Coachella Valley about 15 miles southeast of Palm Springs. With a population of approximately 51,000, it carries the relaxed, sun-soaked character of a desert resort town, framed by mountains and laced with palm-lined streets, golf courses, and low-slung neighborhoods. The city is best known as a shopping, dining, and outdoor recreation hub, and it serves as a popular gateway to Joshua Tree National Park and the broader desert landscapes where the Mojave and Colorado regions meet. Palm Desert lies about 125 miles southeast of Los Angeles, a drive of roughly two to two and a half hours via Interstate 10.

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens sits within the city limits and offers a walk-through experience of desert ecosystems from around the world. Visitors can see giraffes, wolves, cheetahs, and other wildlife native to arid regions, along with extensive cactus and succulent gardens. The attraction is just a few minutes' drive from anywhere in central Palm Desert. (The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens)

Joshua Tree National Park, the signature natural draw of the region, spans nearly 800,000 acres of iconic terrain where twisted Joshua trees, granite piles, and wide-open vistas define the landscape. The closest entrance from Palm Desert is the Cottonwood Visitor Center area in the park's southern section, about a 45-minute drive; the busier north entrance near the town of Joshua Tree is roughly an hour away. (Joshua Tree National Park)

El Paseo is Palm Desert's signature shopping and dining street, often described as the "Rodeo Drive of the Desert" for its concentration of upscale boutiques, galleries, and restaurants. The street runs through the southern part of the city and is within a short drive of nearly every neighborhood, making it a natural evening out for visitors.

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, located in the neighboring city of Palm Springs, climbs from the desert floor to the alpine forests of Mt. San Jacinto. The roughly ten-minute ride reaches an elevation of more than 8,500 feet and offers sweeping views, hiking, and even snow play in winter. The tram's lower station is about a 20-minute drive west of Palm Desert. (Palm Springs Aerial Tramway)

Together, these draws — along with dozens of nearby golf courses, the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, and longer day trips to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park — make Palm Desert a versatile base for short-term rentals. The combination of reliable sunshine, walkable resort amenities, and proximity to both high-end leisure and iconic national park scenery appeals to a wide range of visitors year-round.