I-Team investigates vacation rentals in Palm Springs
A new vacation rental ordinance aimed at keeping the peace is now in effect in Palm Springs.
City leaders hope the new rules will address noise and other issues while protecting property rights and an industry that’s pumping millions of dollars into city hall.
The ordinance is already having some impact with vacation rental compliance officers patrolling city streets and responding to hotline calls.
There were 20 calls the first weekend of June and two citations issued for noise.
City Manager David Ready says, “It’s our goal to make sure we have peace and quiet in the neighborhoods in addition to being allowed to have vacation rentals.”
Opponents disagree.
Mark Owens of Protect Our Neighborhoods would like a much more restrictive ordinance, if not a complete ban.
His group is suing the city, arguing that it’s a zoning issue.
“Our city general plan and our current zoning don’t allow for the commercialization of single family residences,” Owens says.
The new rules limit property owners to 36 rental contracts each year.
The general manager of Vacation Palm Springs, Ian Patterson, calls that restrictive.
There are about 2,100 vacation rentals in Palm Springs.
Some neighborhoods have clusters, where 20 percent of the homes or more, are vacation rentals.
Some homeowners complain about non-stop parties, while others say they haven’t had any problems.
The industry accounts for a sizeable chunk of the city’s budget.
It’s estimated that vacation rentals account for $7 million in transient occupancy taxes for the fiscal year.
Supporters like Patterson believe the economic impact may be much larger than that.
The fight is far from over.
The Protect Our Neighborhoods lawsuit is still moving through the courts. Another group will be working to get the issue on the ballot in Palm Springs.
Ready hopes the city will win people over by enforcing the new rules and restoring the peace.
So far this year, Ready says eight vacation rentals have been suspended.
A postcard is going out to all residents to make sure everyone knows the rules.
It also includes the 24-hour hotline, 760-322-8383.
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