City Watch
Short-term rental rules in Palm Desert, CA
How Palm Desert regulates short-term rentals: the rules that apply, their sources, and pending changes.
Rules here limit which homes may operate as short-term rentals, how many, where, or for how many nights a year.
- residential-zone exclusion — off-site (absentee whole-home) STR barred from the R1 and R2 zones
- absentee whole-home permits limited to estate (RE/DEO) and HOA-approved planned communities
- HPR-zone off-site permits sunset, permanently ceasing December 31 2026
- owner-occupied on-site permit required in standard residential zones; STR permit plus city TOT
Based on: Palm Desert Municipal Code Ch. 5.10 (Short-Term Rentals); amended by Ord. No. 1417 (10-10-2024)
Summary of the rule
Per the City of Palm Desert 'Allowable Zoning District For Short-Term Rentals' page (PDMC Ch. 5.10): short-term rentals are 'prohibited within the R1 and R2 zones, excluding On-Site Owner STR Permits'; the RE zone is 'Eligible for On-site or Off-site Owners'; PR/HPR off-site requires an 'HOA approval letter.' Ord. No. 1417 (adopted 10-10-2024, PDMC § 5.10.080): existing HPR off-site permits 'shall terminate, and such uses permanently cease operation, by December 31, 2026,' and 'a new off-site short-term rental permit within the HPR zone will not be issued.' Off-site (absentee whole-home) STR is thus excluded from the R1/R2 residential zones.
View the ordinance source ↗✓ Verified
Last reviewed Sep 22, 2026 · Sources · Report an error
Pending legislation
Monitoring Palm Desert · system last checked Oct 25, 2026
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City Watch provides good-faith summaries of publicly available information as of the review date shown. Rules, enforcement, and permit availability can change, and summaries may contain errors or omissions. Ratings describe the general regulatory environment; they do not establish whether a particular property or stay is permitted. This is general information, not legal advice. Before buying, listing, or hosting, verify applicable requirements with the responsible authorities and review any HOA, condominium, deed, or lease restrictions.