Citizens' Ballot Initiative in Palm Springs, CA: Residents Want to Vote on Short-Term Rental (STR) Limits

Palm Springs, CA, November 15, 2017 (Newswire.com) -  ​This morning, the local citizens group, Palm Springs Neighbors For Neighborhoods, delivered a petition to city hall to limit short-term rentals (STRs) in residential neighborhoods.  The group gathered over 5,600 signatures, nearly double the amount required to qualify it for an upcoming election.  The petition now goes to Riverside County for signature verification.   

The group believes the city has failed residents in its primary role: to protect the safety and quality of life of its residents and maintain the integrity of its residential neighborhoods.  It has done so by allowing the commercialization of its single-family neighborhoods.

"The proliferation of these de-facto motels is destroying our neighborhoods, block by block. We are all just one 'FOR SALE' sign away from having a full-time motel next door to us."

Stephen Rose, Spokesperson

A “yes” vote on this ballot measure will limit absentee-owner rentals to a minimum of 28 days or more per stay in residential R1-zoned single-family neighborhoods.   Short-term rental owners will have two years to adjust their business model or relocate their vacation rental business to an area of the city zoned for mixed-use or commercial business.   

Late last year, immediately after passage of a new vacation rental ordinance, a group of out-of-town business interests funded a referendum in order to kill the ordinance.  In response, the city made concessions to accommodate their demands.  Residents with opposing views were left out of those negotiations.

The result was a re-crafted ordinance that could allow for rentals every night of the year. The number of allowed bookings increased, limits on the number of guests were relaxed, as were lot size requirements for large 5+ bedroom rental homes.

“The proliferation of these de-facto motels is destroying our neighborhoods, block by block,” says Stephen Rose, the group’s spokesperson.   "This initiative will give residents a voice in the future of their neighborhoods. We are all just one ‘FOR SALE’ sign away from having a full-time motel next door to us.”

"The Palm Springs STR rate is among the highest per-capita in the country," according to Rose.   “That said, city data shows over 80% of STR owners do not live in Palm Springs.  They are not local residents just trying to make “ends meet” as online booking services would like us to think.”

“It is not the responsibility of residential neighborhoods to generate business tax revenue.  Money isn’t everything.  We all need somewhere safe and secure to call our home; that is what living in a neighborhood, with real neighbors, is all about.”

Reach media contact Robert Grimm at (760) 464-1724 or [email protected]

Source: Palm Springs Neighbors for Neighborhoods psn4n.org