A look at both sides of the Measure C debate

On June 5, Palm Springs residents will have a choice whether to create a prohibition on vacation rentals through Measure C. A yes vote means no short-term rentals and a no vote means yes, short terms rentals will continue to be regulated under the current ordinance.

“He does it, they do it, they do it, I’m surrounded by it..all the time…every weekend,” said Palm Springs resident Bob Lyle. Lyle has lived in his Palm Springs home for five years and says short term rental guests are a constant issue.

“I don’t know my neighbors,” said Lyle, “I don’t have people that I can..say I’m gonna go away for a weekend and say keep an eye on my house. I don’t know anybody “

Meanwhile, Erich Redder is voting NO on measure C and says he loves using his home as a short term rental to cover $200,000 worth of renovation expenses to his home.

“You know its probably going to take a few years to recoup the amount of money i spent renovating this home,” said Redder, “and getting it to the point that it’s at.”

However, Palm Springs Neighbors 4 Neighbors who support YES on measure C say short term rentals are hurting Palm Springs communities.

“People want their community back we have people that have no neighbors at all,” said PSN4N campaign manager, Rob Grimm, “they live around 5 or 6… half the block is vacation rentals.”

Palm Springs City Council, who publicly support NO on measure C, first created a city ordinance to regular short term rentals in 2008.

“We tried to come up with something that no other city has done,” said Palm Springs city councilman Geoff Kors, “we wanted to find a balance a way to allow people to still rent out their homes but in a way that minimizes impacts on neighbors.”

Establish in March 2017, Palm Springs ordinance 1918 has several requirements for short term rental owners and their guests. The ordinance includes a noise limit, occupancy limit, charges owners $900 for a permit that funds an enforcement department. For more info on Palm Springs Ordinance 1918 click here.

“Really a good thing, says Erich Redder, “it’s a good thing for the city, it’s a good thing for our neighbors and it’s really good for our guests.”

An economic impact study, paid for by the city of Palm Springs, lists the potential financial impact of losing short term rentals to be around $10.5 million. A large portion of that coming from the transient occupancy tax that every short term rental guest must pay. For more info on the study click here.

“It’s estimated that about ten and a half million dollars from the city’s budget would go away,” said councilman Geoff Kors, “that is about 10 percent of our budget, and no one has yet suggested, what cuts should be made, to make up for that.”

However, Rob Grimm disagrees with the number in the economic report. “If you look at the city impact statement everything in it is could be, would be, if, should. It’s projected, they have nothing to back up that figure.”

Big business is making an impact in campaign funding. A new letter from Palm Springs Neighbors 4 Neighbors revealed online travel giant Expedia donated $200,000 to We Love Palm Springs, who support NO on measure C.

“Not surprising that those with thousands of employees that work in vacation rentals who this is their business their livelihood are going to be investing to make sure they continue operating,” said councilman Geoff Kors.

After the vote on June 5th, Geoff Kors believes the fight over short term rentals could continue, in court.

“I would expect a lawsuit,” said Kors, “I would expect both sides will litigate. I don’t think this will be the end of it from that point of view.”