Executive Overview

Short-term rentals are explicitly prohibited throughout Rancho Mirage, California. As of July 1, 2022, all short-term rental activity has been banned citywide across every zoning district. The city defines a short-term rental as any "dwelling unit, in whole or in part, rented for a period of twenty-seven consecutive calendar days or less, for transient dwelling, lodging, sleeping, or special event purposes, regardless of home-sharing or subletting arrangements." This prohibition includes not only actual rentals but also advertising, offering for rent, or agreeing to rent a property for short-term stays, even if no actual occupancy occurs.

Starting a Short-Term Rental Business in Rancho Mirage

It is not possible to legally start a short-term rental business in Rancho Mirage. The city implemented a comprehensive ban that prohibits all forms of short-term rentals, including:

• Renting an entire dwelling unit for 27 days or less
• Home-sharing arrangements where the owner rents out rooms while residing in the property
• Subletting rooms within a longer-term rental agreement
• Renting detached structures such as casitas
• Renting amenities like pools on a short-term basis

The ban represents a complete prohibition rather than a regulatory framework with permits and restrictions. There are no legal pathways to operate short-term rentals in the city, as the municipal code explicitly states that "operation of short-term rentals is prohibited in every zone of the city."

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

No permits, licenses, or specific guidelines exist for short-term rental operations in Rancho Mirage. The city does not issue any STR permits, business licenses specifically for short-term rentals, or provide registration processes for such operations. The ban eliminated all previous regulatory frameworks that may have existed.

Any attempt to list, advertise, or operate a short-term rental property violates city ordinance, regardless of whether proper documentation exists. Property owners cannot obtain legal authorization to rent their properties for less than 28 days under any circumstances.

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

City-Level Regulations (Rancho Mirage)

The prohibition is codified in Rancho Mirage Municipal Code Section 17.30.270(B), which states: "Operation of short-term rentals is prohibited in every zone of the city. Operation of a short-term rental includes advertising, offering for rent, or agreeing to rent, a short-term rental, regardless of whether a person actually occupies the short-term rental."

Key regulatory aspects include:

• Scope of Prohibition: The ban applies to all dwelling units across all zoning districts within city boundaries
• Definition Coverage: The prohibition covers any rental period of 27 consecutive calendar days or less
• Advertising Restrictions: Even listing properties for short-term stays without actual rentals constitutes a violation
• Partial Rentals: The ban includes renting portions of dwellings (rooms, casitas) for short periods
• Amenity Rentals: Short-term rental of property amenities like pools is also prohibited
• Home-Sharing Ban: Renting rooms while the owner occupies the property is specifically prohibited
• Subletting Restrictions: Short-term subletting of rooms within longer-term leases violates the ordinance

County-Level Regulations (Riverside County)

While Rancho Mirage has its own municipal ban, Riverside County also maintains short-term rental regulations for unincorporated areas. However, these county regulations do not apply within Rancho Mirage city limits, as municipal ordinances take precedence within incorporated cities.

State-Level Regulations (California)

California state law does not prohibit short-term rentals at the state level. Instead, the state allows local municipalities to regulate short-term rentals through local ordinances. The legal framework places primary regulatory authority with individual cities and counties, resulting in varied approaches across different jurisdictions.

Enforcement and Penalties

The city takes a strong enforcement approach to the short-term rental ban:

Financial Penalties:

• First violation: $5,000 citation to property owner
• Subsequent violations: $10,000 citation for each occurrence
• Citations can be issued to property owners, property managers, occupants, or other responsible persons

Additional Legal Remedies:

• Property liens
• Civil injunctions
• Criminal prosecution

The city actively investigates suspected violations through code compliance officers who respond to resident complaints and proactive monitoring efforts.

Contact Information for Local Authority

Code Compliance Department

• Phone: (760) 770-3220 (Regular business hours: Monday-Friday, 8 AM - 5 PM)
• Email: code@ranchomirageca.gov
• Address: City of Rancho Mirage, 69825 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270

General City Information:

• Phone: (760) 324-4511
• Website: ranchomirageca.gov

Residents are encouraged to report suspected short-term rental violations by calling the code compliance hotline during regular business hours and providing the property address and details about the alleged violation.

Legal History and Context

The current ban resulted from a multi-year legal battle that concluded in 2024. The city implemented the prohibition in October 2021, with it taking effect July 1, 2022. A group of vacation rental owners challenged the ban through litigation, but ultimately dropped their lawsuits in April 2024 due to escalating costs, with both sides spending over $1 million on legal proceedings. The city's position was upheld, confirming the ban remains in effect and enforceable.

The ordinance replaced a previous regulatory framework that had allowed short-term rentals within certain homeowners' associations with HOA approval. The ban was implemented in response to resident complaints about neighborhood disruptions related to short-term rental properties.

Source Links

• Rancho Mirage Official Short-Term Rentals Page
• Rancho Mirage Municipal Code - Short-Term Rental Ordinance
• Desert Sun - Ban Stays in Place After Lawsuits
• Avalara - Rancho Mirage Bans Short-Term Rentals Analysis
• Geoffrey Moore - Coachella Valley STVR Rules Overview

Investment Recommendation: Given the comprehensive prohibition of short-term rentals in Rancho Mirage, real estate investors should consider alternative investment strategies in the area, such as long-term residential rentals, commercial property investments, or exploring short-term rental opportunities in neighboring Coachella Valley cities with more permissive regulations.