Short-Term Rental Information
- A property owner wanting a new short-term rental license and permit is restricted to a 29-night minimum throughout the year with the exception of the tennis tournament which allows for a 7-night minimum, one week preceding and ending three days after conclusion of the tennis tournament.
- There is an exception in the municipal code that allows a Homeowner's Association to opt-out of the City's minimum stay regulation only - see Opt-out Form Letter and HOA Opt-Out Map below. Property owner's still need to get a short-term rental license/permit, pay the quarterly transient occupancy tax and abide by all other regulations of the ordinance.
- Grandfathered short-term rental licenses/permits that signed up in July 2015 are now permanently expired.
Documents
- Application for Short-term Rental
- Short-term Rental Ordinance 710
- Opt-out Form Letter for Common Interest Developments/Homeowners Association - only the information in brackets is editable.
- HOA Opt-Out Map
- Short Term Quarterly TOT Form
Additional Information
Vacation Rental Hotline: (760) 834-7788
If you are experiencing problems from a property you suspect to be a short-term rental, please call the Vacation Rental Hotline to report the nuisance. Please have the address available to assist the process. If the property has an active Short Term Rental Permit then hotline staff will make contact with the vacation rental emergency contact and Indian Wells Police Department if necessary. PLEASE NOTE: if disturbance occurs outside of City Hall work hours complaint will not be received if not left with the hotline operator.
City Ordinance provides the vacation rental operator one hour to stop the nuisance. After that point in time, the Indian Wells Police Department will make contact with the property.
City Ordinance requires all renters be provided a Good Neighbor Brochure with their rental agreement. The Good Neighbor Brochure provides brief information to renters to reinforce regulations to ensure their stay does not cause neighborhood disruption.
Transient Occupancy Tax Remittance Form
Short-term rentals are required to collect a Transient Occupancy Tax (“TOT”) on all nights of stay. Effective January 1, 2019 the City’s TOT rate increased to 12.25%. The TOT rate needs to be added on the nightly rental rate charged. TOT collection is the responsibility of the property owner. Remittance of TOT collected and this TOT Remittance Form are due to the City no later than 30-days after the end of each quarter ending March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31.
The form provided above helps to calculate the amount of TOT due. Failure to remit TOT and form can result in a fine, citation, and even suspension of your license to operate.
TOT return forms are required to be submitted to the City quarterly even if there is no tax due (note rented). If the "PAYABLE BY" date falls on a weekend or Holiday, payment is due and payable by the next business day to avoid penalties.
Model Short-term Rental Agreement
The short-term residential rental industry has grown exponentially in recent years. As a result, many property owners who otherwise would not have considered renting their properties have chosen to do so. To assist compliance with City regulations, the provided Model Vacation Rental Agreement provides owners the legal protection necessary.
There is no requirement to use this Model Short-term Rental Agreement. However, please be advised that the City’s Short-term Rental Ordinance requires certain provisions to be included in your rental agreement. If using your own agreement form, please review closely for compliance with City regulations.
Noise is the most commonly cited disturbance with vacation rentals. Loud, disturbing noise is prohibited in Indian Wells between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. The Adopted Noise Ordinance provides Indian Wells Law Enforcement great flexibility to determine if a property is causing a disturbance in a neighborhood.