Changes are Coming for Short-Term Rentals in the Desert. Landlords, tenants, and surrounding homeowners will have to wait until September 13th to determine if the proposed changes to short-term rentals throughout Riverside County will go into effect.
According to an article in the Desert Sun, “Short-term rental owners in Idyllwild and other unincorporated parts of Riverside County may soon have to limit their number of overnight guests, install outdoor noise monitors and pay higher fees.” As the short-term rentals spike from 268 in 2016 to 1,084+ in July 2022, officials have been working to change the current short-term ordinance. In addition, many are renting without permits, so the number could triple for July.
Suggestions to the Ordinance
Suggestions to change the current short-term rental ordinance include “mandatory property inspections for those seeking a short-term rental certificate, new fines for violators and what Hildebrand has called a “three-strikes-and-you’re-out” rule where permits could be revoked after a third violation.” Initial fees suggested to increase from $250 to $740, with an annual renewal increase from $100 to $540. (Desert Sun)
Additional items which may add to the current ordinance could be establishing a limit of two people per bedroom + one extra person with a maximum of 10 occupants. In addition, larger rentals could apply for a 16-person maximum occupancy.
Riverside County isn’t the only one suffering from out-of-control short-term rentals, San Bernadino County imposed a 45-day pause on new short-term rentals in Joshua Tree, and other communities throughout Coachella Valley have sought to curb the rental surge.
Although there are no changes at this time, if you rent out your Desert home, you’ll want to stay tuned.