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When deciding whether to become an Airbnb host, it is important for you to understand the laws in your city. As a platform and market place we do not provide legal advice, but we want to give you some useful links that may help you better understand laws and regulations in Palm Springs. This list is not exhaustive, but it should give you a good start in understanding your local laws. If you have questions, contact the Planning Services Department, the Building & Safety Department, or other city agencies directly, or consult a local lawyer or tax professional.

• Vacation Rental Ordinance and Regulations. Palm Springs has an ordinance that sets out requirements related to registration, operational requirements, and procedures if you use a third party to operate or manage your listing. The City also requires hosts to include transient occupancy tax permit number in their Airbnb listing and other advertisements. You can review the ordinance in Chapter 5.25 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code and can access the permit number listing requirement on the City’s Vacation Rentals website.
• The Zoning Code. The Palm Springs Zoning Code regulates uses in Palm Springs. You should consult the Zoning Code to see if your listing is consistent with zoning requirements or use definitions. Important terms include accessory use; dwelling; dwelling unit; guest dwelling; guest house; guest room; hotel; residence; transient; and short-term transient.
• Registration Permit and Vacation Rental Certificate. Palm Springs requires vacation rental operators to apply for and receive both a transient occupancy registration permit and a vacation rental certificate. You can access both applications from links on the City’s Vacation Rentals website.
• Building and Housing Standards. Palm Springs enforces rules and regulations specifying minimum construction, design, and maintenance standards for buildings, including regulations on habitability, health, and safety. Certain rules and regulations applicable to residential and non-residential uses may be relevant to your listing. Please review Title 8 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code or contact the Building & Safety Department for more information.
• Business License. Palm Springs requires hosts to apply for and obtain a business license, and pay a business license tax. Please review the city’s website for more information on starting a business and applying for a business license. The city may review the application for compliance with city rules and regulations before issuing a license.
• Transient Occupancy Tax. Palm Springs may assess transient lodging taxes on hotels, inns, vacation homes or houses, and other short-term rentals. A "short-term rental" is defined as a guest stay of 28 days or less. More information about the transient occupancy tax is available at the City's website. The County of Riverside may also assess transient lodging taxes on guest stays of 30 days or less. More information can be found in the County's municipal code (Chapter 4.16).
• Other Rules. It's also important to understand and abide by other contracts or rules that bind you, such as leases, condo board or co-op rules, HOA rules, or rules established by tenant organizations. Please read your lease agreement and check with your landlord if applicable.

We are committed to working with local officials to help them understand how Airbnb benefits our community. Where needed, we will continue to advocate for changes that will allow regular people to rent out their own homes.