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Is Airbnb legal in Palm Springs, California?

Investor-friendly permit — with contract caps. Palm Springs welcomes investor STRs with no owner-occupancy requirement, but caps you at 26 rental contracts per year and limits new certificates to 20% of homes per neighborhood.

Showing the researched rules for Palm Springs, CA below. Type your Palm Springs address to jump to the verdict.

Legal with permit

Investor-friendly permit — with contract caps

Palm Springs welcomes investor STRs with no owner-occupancy requirement, but caps you at 26 rental contracts per year and limits new certificates to 20% of homes per neighborhood.

Permit and costs

Permit
Vacation Rental Registration Certificate
Issued by
City of Palm Springs
Cost
$1,046 / year
Renewal
Annual

Key limits

Rental contracts
Max 26 per year
Neighborhood cap
20% of homes per neighborhood
One certificate per owner
Business entities cannot hold one
Property type
Single-family homes only

Taxes

Transient occupancy tax
11.5% + 1% tourism assessment

Registration checklist

  1. 1
    Request an activation code
    Contact the Dept. of Special Program Compliance to start.
  2. 2
    Apply online
    Owner signature, TOT registration, $500k+ STR liability insurance, safety inspection, local contact, city knowledge test.
  3. 3
    Wait for written approval
    No advertising until the written approval is issued.

What could change this verdict

Your HOA
HOAs and CC&Rs can ban STRs entirely — you must attest none apply.
Homeshare option
Renting part of your own home has a cheaper $261 certificate with different rules.

Sources

Palm Springs STR rules

Rules researched October 2026. They change, so verify with the city before you buy.

Want this verified for your exact address?

$75 per address
  • Verdict for your parcel, not just the city
  • Permit name, fee, and renewal schedule
  • Night caps, occupancy rules, and key limits
  • Tax rates and a step-by-step checklist

Free during early access. Run the free address check

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Verify before you buy. Rules change often and vary by zoning, HOA, and building type. This is a research starting point, not legal advice. Always confirm with the city's planning or business-license office before signing anything.