ORD 631 STVR Chapter 3.25 Amendments - Sections 3.25.020, 3.25.030 & 3.25.070ORDINANCE NO. 631
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTIONS
3.25.020, 3.25.030, AND 3.25.070 OF CHAPTER 3.25 OF
THE LA QUINTA MUNICIPAL CODE RELATED TO
SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTALS
WHEREAS, Chapter 3.25 of the La Quinta Municipal Code (LQMC) relates to
short-term vacation rentals, including permitted uses, short-term vacation rental process
and permitting procedures, requirements, violations, fines, etc.; and
WHEREAS, the City has the authority to regulate residential uses, including short-
term vacation rental uses, operating within the City; and
WHEREAS, the proposed amendments to Section 3.25.020 — Purpose are
intended to list common "secondary effects" to which the regulations of Chapter 3.25 are
intended to limit or prevent; and
WHEREAS, the proposed amendments to Section 3.25.030 — Definitions are:
(1) Intended to "parse out" the elements of the current definition of a "short-term
vacation rental unit" to clarify that an STVR unit is any privately owned residential
dwelling rented for transient use and occupied by any person (s) for a period of 30
consecutive calendar days or less; and
(2) Add a definition for "Long-term rental;" and
(3) Provide a conforming amendment to the definition of "subtenant;" and
(4) Provide other miscellaneous conforming amendments throughout the rest of the
definitions; and
WHEREAS, the proposed amendments to Section 3.25.070 — Operational
requirements and standard conditions are intended to consolidate provisions, remove
unnecessary detail, and clarify terms.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of La Quinta does ordain as
follows..
SECTION 1. Chapter 3.25 shall be amended as written in "Exhibit A" attached
hereto and incorporated herein by this reference.
SECTION 2. EFFECTIVE DATE: This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect
thirty (30) days after its adoption.
Ordinance No. 631
Chapter 3.25 Short -Term Vacation Rentals — Amending Sections 3.25.020, 3.25.030, and 3.25.070
Adopted: April 7, 2026
Page 2 of 3
SECTION 3. POSTING: The City Clerk shall, within 15 days after passage of this
Ordinance, cause it to be posted in at least three public places designated by resolution
of the City Council, shall certify to the adoption and posting of this Ordinance, and shall
cause this Ordinance and its certification, together with proof of posting to be entered into
the permanent record of Ordinances of the City of La Quinta.
SECTION 4. CORRECTIVE AMENDMENTS: the City Council does hereby grant
the City Clerk the ability to make minor amendments and corrections of typographical or
clerical errors to "Exhibit A" to ensure consistency of all approved text amendments prior
to the publication in the La Quinta Municipal Code.
SECTION 5. SEVERABILITY: If any section, subsection, subdivision, sentence,
clause, phrase, or portion of this Ordinance is, for any reason, held to be invalid or
unconstitutional by the decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall
not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance. The City Council hereby
declares that it would have adopted this Ordinance and each and every section,
subsection, subdivision, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion thereof, irrespective of the
fact that any one or more section, subsections, subdivisions, sentences, clauses,
phrases, or portions thereof be declared unconstitutional.
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED, at a regular meeting of the La Quinta City
Council held this 7th day of April 2026, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Fitzpatrick, McGarrey, Pena, Sanchez, and Mayor Evans
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
LINDA EVANS, Mayor
City of La Quinta, California
ATTEST:
i4a
MONIKA RAD11VA, Clerk
City of La Quinta, California
Ordinance No. 631
Chapter 3.25 Short -Term Vacation Rentals — Amending Sections 3.25.020, 3.25.030, and 3.25.070
Adopted: April 7, 2026
Page 3 of 3
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
l/ v C _
c
WILLIAM H. IHRKE, City Attorney
City of La Quinta, California
Title 3 - REVENUE AND FINANCE EXHIBIT A
Chapter 3.25 SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTALS
Chapter 3.25 SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTALS
3.25.020 Purpose.
A. The purpose of this chapter is to establish regulations for the use of privately owned residential dwellings as
short-term vacation rentals that ensure the collection and payment of transient occupancy taxes (TOT) as
provided in Chapter 3.24 of this code, and minimize the negative secondary effects of such use on
surrounding residential neighborhoods. Among other secondary effects to be limited, this chapter is
intended to:
1. Prevent the circumvention by any owner of a dwelling (or any real property) in the city from operating a
short-term vacation rental (STVR), without properly obtaining a permit and license required by this
chapter, by claiming to have a rental arrangement longer than thirty (30) days but nonetheless
collecting rent from a tenant or subtenant who occupies a residence for thirty (30) consecutive calendar
days or less;
2. Require sufficient parking so that neighboring dwellings and other property uses are not unduly
adversely impacted by the use of a residential dwelling on a short-term basis as a short-term vacation
rental;
3. Impose strict obligations on occupants of short-term vacation rental units to limit excessive outside or
ambient noise that would unduly interfere with the use and enjoyment of neighboring dwellings or
other property owners;
4. Prevent conversion of rooms, without required permitting or licensing as set forth in this chapter and
this code, from a non -bedroom use to bedroom use for the purpose of increasing the maximum
allowed number of occupants using a short-term vacation rental unit;
5. Maintain the residential character of the city's residential zones and neighborhoods by avoiding
transitory uses which are not properly permitted pursuant to this chapter; and
6. Prohibit any property from being used as a short-term vacation rental unless such use is allowed within
an area of the city and properly permitted pursuant to this chapter.
B. This chapter is not intended to provide any owner of residential property with the right or privilege to violate
any private conditions, covenants and restrictions applicable to the owner's property that may prohibit the
use of such owner's residential property for short-term vacation rental purposes as defined in this chapter.
C. The requirements of this chapter shall be presumed to apply to any residential dwelling that has received a
short-term vacation rental permit. A rebuttable presumption arises that, whenever there is an occupant(s),
paying rent or not, of a residential dwelling that has received a short-term vacation rental permit, the
requirements of this chapter shall apply, including but not limited to any suspension or other modifications
imposed on a short-term vacation rental permit as set forth in this chapter. The city manager or authorized
designee shall have the authority to implement any necessary or appropriate policies and procedures to
apply the rebuttable presumption set forth in this section.
(Ord. 619 § 1, Exh. A, 12-17-2024; Ord. No. 607, Exh. A, 12-5-2023; Ord. 590 § 1(Exh. A), 3-16-2021; Ord. 586 §
1(Exh. A), 12-15-2020; Ord. 572 § 1, 2018; Ord. 563 § 1, 2017; Ord. 501 § 2, 2012)
La Quinta, California, Municipal Code Created: 2026-01-28 09:56:34 [EST]
(Supp. No. 7, Update 3)
Page 1 of 8
3.25.030 Definitions.
For purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meaning respectively ascribed to
them by this section:
"Advertise," "advertisement," "advertising, "publish," and "publication" mean any and all means, whether verbal or
written, through any media whatsoever whether in use prior to, at the time of, or after the enactment of the
ordinance adding this definition, used for conveying to any member or members of the public the ability or
availability to rent a short-term vacation rental unit as defined in this section, or used for conveying to any
member or members of the public a notice of an intention to rent a short-term vacation rental unit as defined in
this section. For purposes of this definition, the following media are listed as examples, which are not and shall not
be construed as exhaustive: verbal or written announcements by proclamation or outcry, newspaper
advertisement, magazine advertisement, handbill, written or printed notice, printed or poster display, billboard
display, e-mail or other electronic/digital messaging platform, electronic commerce/commercial Internet websites,
and any and all other electronic media, television, radio, satellite -based, or Internet website.
"Applicable laws, rules and regulations" means any laws, rules, regulations and codes (whether local, state or
federal) pertaining to the use and occupancy of a privately owned dwelling unit as a short-term vacation rental.
"Applicant" means the owner of the short-term vacation rental unit.
"Authorized agent or representative" means a designated agent or representative who is appointed by the owner
and is also responsible for compliance with this chapter with respect to the short-term vacation rental unit.
"Booking transaction" means any reservation or payment service provided by a person or entity who facilitates a
home -sharing or vacation rental (including short-term vacation rental) transaction between a prospective
occupant and an owner or owner's authorized agent or representative.
"City manager" means that person acting in the capacity of the city manager for the City of La Quinta or authorized
designee.
"Declaration of non-use" means the declaration described in Section 3.25.050.
"Dwelling" has the same meaning as set forth in Section 9.280.030 (or successor provision, as may be amended
from time to time) of this code; "dwelling" does not include any impermanent, transitory, or mobile means of
temporary lodging, including but not limited to mobile homes, recreational vehicles (RVs), car trailers, and camping
tents.
"Estate home" is defined as a single-family detached residence with five (5) or more bedrooms, subject to
evaluation criteria and inspection of the property pursuant to Section 3.25.060(D)(1). An estate home is a sub -type
of short-term vacation rental unit and shall be subject to a general short-term vacation rental permit, primary
residence short-term vacation rental permit, or homeshare short-term vacation rental permit, as applicable,
pursuant to this chapter.
"General short-term vacation rental permit" is a type of short-term vacation rental permit that is neither a
homeshare short-term vacation rental permit nor a primary residence short-term vacation rental permit.
"Good guest brochure" and "Good neighbor brochure" mean a document prepared by the city that summarizes the
general rules of conduct, consideration, and respect, including, without limitation, provisions of this code and
other applicable laws, rules or regulations pertaining to the use and occupancy of short-term vacation rental units.
"Homeshare short-term vacation rental permit" is a type of short-term vacation rental permit whereby the owner
hosts visitors in the owner's dwelling, for compensation, for periods of thirty (30) consecutive calendar days or
less, while the owner lives on -site and in the dwelling, throughout the visiting occupant's stay.
(Supp. No. 7, Update 3)
Created: 2026-01-28 09:56:34 [EST]
Page 2 of 8
"Hosting platform" means a person or entity who participates in the home -sharing or vacation rental (including
short-term vacation rental) business by collecting or receiving a fee, directly or indirectly through an agent or
intermediary, for conducting a booking transaction using any medium of facilitation, including but not limited to
the Internet.
"Large lot" means a single "parcel," as defined in Section 9.280.030 (or successor provision, as may be amended
from time to time) of this code, that meets all of the criteria set forth in subsection (A) of Section 3.25.057.
"Local contact person" means the person designated by the owner or the owner's authorized agent or
representative who shall be available twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week with the ability to
respond to the location within thirty (30) minutes for the purpose of: (1) taking remedial action to resolve any
complaints; and (2) responding to complaints regarding the condition, operation, or conduct of occupants of the
short-term vacation rental unit. A designated local contact person must obtain a business license otherwise
required by Sections 3.24.060 and 3.28.020 (or successor provisions, as may be amended from time to time) of this
code.
"Long-term rental," solely for purposes of this chapter, means any rental that is not a short-term vacation rental,
as defined in this chapter.
"Management company" means any individual or entity, whether for profit or nonprofit, and regardless of entity
type, such as a limited liability company, corporation, or sole proprietorship, that is retained by an owner to be the
owner's authorized agent or representative, or is the owner of a short-term vacation rental unit subject to this
chapter, and is engaged in or represents itself to be engaged in the business of managing real property.
"Multi -unit lock -off STVR unit" means a specific design and construction of a single-family detached dwelling or
multi -family attached unit(s) dwelling, which construction is designed to allow sections of such dwelling to be
locked -off and separated into individual stand-alone units and meets one (1) or more of the exemptions set forth
in Section 3.25.055. The design and construction of a multi -unit lock -off STVR unit provides at a minimum for:
a) Independent living facilities within the space secured by a lock -off door(s),
b) Separate access to the exterior area(s) and public right-of-way without the need to enter or walk
through the primary living area of the dwelling or other lock -off STVR units, and
c) Permanent provisions for sleeping and sanitation (bathroom) within the space secured by a lock -off
door(s).
Examples of multi -unit lock -off STVR units include a dwelling that has "hotel- or motel -like" exterior access door(s)
and interior security door(s) that can be secured from either side between two (2) stand-alone units where each
stand-alone unit has the ability to secure itself from the other adjacent unit; or, a two (2)-story dwelling (such as a
two (2)-story duplex) in which the first floor and second floor are separate lock -off STVR units, and the first and
second floors each have their own independent exterior access to the exterior areas and public right-of-way. A
multi -unit lock -off STVR unit is a sub -type of short-term vacation rental unit and shall be subject to a general short-
term vacation rental permit or primary residence short-term vacation rental permit, as applicable, pursuant to this
chapter.
"Notice of permit modification, suspension or revocation" means the notice the city may issue to an applicant,
authorized agent or representative, local contact person, occupant, owner, responsible person, or any other
person or entity authorized to be issued such notice under this code for a short-term vacation rental unit, upon a
determination by the city of a violation of this chapter or other provisions of this code relating to authorized uses
of property subject to this chapter.
"Occupant" means any person(s) occupying the dwelling at any time.
"Owner" means the person(s) or entity(ies) that hold(s) legal and/or equitable title to the subject short-term
vacation rental unit.
(Supp. No. 7, Update 3)
Created: 2026-01-28 09:56:34 [EST]
Page 3 of 8
"Primary residence" means a dwelling where an owner spends the majority of the calendar year on the property
used as a short-term vacation rental unit, and the property is identified in the Riverside County assessor's record as
the owner's primary residence.
"Primary residence short-term vacation rental permit" is a type of short-term vacation rental permit whereby the
short-term vacation rental unit is the owner's primary residence, as defined herein in this section.
"Property" means a residential legal lot of record on which a short-term vacation rental unit is located.
"Qualified and certified large lot" has the meaning as set forth in Section 3.25.057.
"Rent" has the same meaning as set forth in Section 3.24.020 (or successor provision, as may be amended from
time to time) of this code.
"Rental agreement" means a written or verbal agreement for use and occupancy of a privately owned residential
dwelling, including a dwelling that has been issued a short-term vacation rental permit or a dwelling that may have
a short-term vacation rental permit which has been or is under suspension.
"Responsible person" means the signatory of a rental agreement for the rental, use and occupancy of a short-term
vacation rental unit, or any person(s) occupying the short-term vacation rental unit without a rental agreement but
with the permission of the owner(s), owner's authorized agent(s) or representative(s), or local contact(s) who is at
least twenty-one (21) years of age, and who is legally responsible for ensuring that all occupants of the short-term
vacation rental unit and/or their guests comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations pertaining to the use
and occupancy of the subject short-term vacation rental unit.
"Short-term vacation rental permit" means a permit that permits the use of a privately owned residential dwelling
as a short-term vacation rental unit pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, and which incorporates by
consolidation a transient occupancy permit and a business license otherwise required by Sections 3.24.060 and
3.28.020 (or successor provisions, as may be amended from time to time) of this code. A short-term vacation
rental permit is one (1) of the following types: (1) general short-term vacation rental permit, (2) primary residence
short-term vacation rental permit, or (3) homeshare short-term vacation rental permit, as defined in this section.
"Short-term vacation rental" and "short-term rental" mean any privately owned residential dwelling rented for
transient use for a period of thirty (30) consecutive calendar days or less. When calculating thirty (30) consecutive
calendar days or less, count portions of calendar days as full days.
"Short-term vacation rental unit" means any privately owned residential dwelling rented for transient use for a
period of thirty (30) consecutive calendar days or less. For purposes of this definition: (a) "residential dwelling"
includes, but is not limited to, a single-family detached or multiple -family attached unit, apartment house,
condominium, cooperative apartment, duplex, or any portion of such dwellings or property or yard features
appurtenant thereto (b) "transient use" includes, but is not limited to, dwelling or lodging purposes, such as
overnight sleeping purposes; and (c) when calculating thirty (30) consecutive calendar days or less, count portions
of calendar days as full days. For avoidance of doubt, the existence of a dwelling with a lawful occupant who has a
rental agreement for more than thirty (30) consecutive days shall not be conclusive that a short-term vacation
rental permit is not required if any other occupant is a subtenant, tenant, or transient, using that dwelling for a
transient use for a period of thirty (30) consecutive days or less (see subsection (T) of Section 3.25.070).
"STVR" may be used by city officials as an abbreviation for "short-term vacation rental."
"Subtenant" means any person subject to, or claiming to be subject to, an arrangement in which a privately owned
residential dwelling, rented to a lawful occupant, is in turn sub -rented or sub -leased by that lawful occupant to
another person or third party, where said arrangement allows for the use and/or occupancy of the dwelling,
whether or not said arrangement is with or without a rental agreement, and whether or not the lawful occupant
still occupies the residential dwelling.
"Suspension" means that short-term vacation rental permit that is suspended pursuant to Section 3.25.090.
(Supp. No. 7, Update 3)
Created: 2026-01-28 09:56:34 [EST]
Page 4 of 8
"Tenant" or "transient," means any person, including any subtenant, who seeks to rent or who does rent, or who
occupies or seeks to occupy, or has a right to occupy, a privately owned residential dwelling, for thirty (30)
consecutive calendar days or less.
(Ord. 619 § 1, Exh. A, 12-17-2024; Ord. No. 607, Exh. A, 12-5-2023; Ord. 595 § 1(Exh. A), 6-15-2021; Ord. 590 §
1(Exh. A), 3-16-2021; Ord. 586 § 1(Exh. A), 12-15-2020; Ord. 572 § 1, 2018; Ord. 563 § 1, 2017; Ord. 501 § 2, 2012)
3.25.070 Operational requirements and standard conditions.
A. The owner and/or owner's authorized agent or representative shall use reasonably prudent business
practices to ensure that the short-term vacation rental unit is used in a manner that complies with all
applicable laws, rules and regulations pertaining to the use and occupancy of the subject short-term vacation
rental unit.
1. An estate home may be established for short-term vacation rental use subject to evaluation and
inspection of the property pursuant to Section 3.25.060(D)(1).
2. An estate home established for short-term vacation rental use is required to be equipped with a noise
monitoring device(s) that is operable at all times.
B. The responsible person(s) shall be an occupant(s) of the short-term vacation rental unit for which he, she or
they signed a rental agreement for such rental, use and occupancy. The responsible person(s) shall also be
responsible for any person(s) occupying the short-term vacation rental unit without a rental agreement with
the permission of the owner(s), owner's authorized agent(s) or representative(s), or local contact(s) and their
guests. The responsible person(s) shall be legally responsible for ensuring that all occupants of the short-
term vacation rental unit and/or their guests comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations pertaining
to the use and occupancy of the subject short-term vacation rental unit. The responsible person(s) shall not
sub -rent or sub -lease the short-term vacation rental unit to a subtenant. No non -permanent improvements
to the property, such as tents, trailers, or other mobile units, may be used as short-term vacation rentals.
The total number of occupants, including the responsible person(s) and children regardless of age, allowed to
occupy any given short-term vacation rental unit may be within the ranges set forth in the table below. By
the issuance of a short-term vacation rental permit, the city or its authorized designees, including police,
shall have the right to conduct a count of all persons occupying the short-term vacation rental unit in
response to a complaint or any other legal grounds to conduct an inspection resulting from the use of the
short-term vacation rental unit, and the failure to allow the city or its authorized designees the ability to
conduct such a count may constitute a violation of this chapter. The city council may by resolution further
restrict occupancy levels provided those restrictions are within the occupancy ranges set forth below.
Number of Bedrooms
Total of Overnight* Occupants
Total Daytime** Occupants (Including
Number of Overnight Occupants)
0—Studio
2
2-8
1
2-4
2-8
2
4-6
4-8
3
6-8
6-12
4
8-10
8-16
5
10-12
10-18
6
12-14
12-20
7
14
14-20
8
16
16-22
9
18
18-24
*Overnight (10:01 p.m.-6:59 a.m.)
(Supp. No. 7, Update 3)
Created: 2026-01-28 09:56:34 [EST]
Page 5 of 8
"Daytime (7:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.)
C. The person(s) listed as the local contact person in the short-term vacation rental unit's online registration
profile shall be available twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week, with the ability to respond
to the location within thirty (30) minutes to complaints regarding the condition, operation, or conduct of
occupants of the short-term vacation rental unit or their guests. The person(s) listed as a local contact person
shall be able to respond personally to the location, or to contact the owner or the owner's authorized agent
or representative to respond personally to the location, within thirty (30) minutes of notification or
attempted notification by the city or its authorized short-term vacation rental designated hotline service
provider. No provision in this section shall obligate the city or its authorized short-term vacation rental
designated hotline service provider to attempt to contact any person or entity other than the person(s) listed
as the local contact person.
D. The owner, the owner's authorized agent or representative and/or the owner's designated local contact
person shall use reasonably prudent business practices to ensure that the occupants and/or guests of the
short-term vacation rental unit do not create unreasonable or unlawful noise or disturbances, engage in
disorderly conduct, or violate any applicable law, rule or regulation pertaining to the use and occupancy of
the subject short-term vacation rental unit.
E. Occupants of the short-term vacation rental unit shall comply with the standards and regulations for
allowable noise at the property in accordance with Sections 9.100.210 and 11.08.040 (or successor provision,
as may be amended from time to time) of this code. No radio receiver, musical instrument, phonograph,
compact disk player, loudspeaker, karaoke machine, sound amplifier, or any machine, device or equipment
that produces or reproduces any sound shall be used outside or be audible from the outside of any short-
term vacation rental unit between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Pacific Standard Time. Observations
of noise related violations shall be made by the city or its authorized designee from any location at which a
city official or authorized designee may lawfully be, including but not limited to any public right-of-way, any
city -owned public property, and any private property to which the city or its authorized designee has been
granted access.
F. Prior to occupancy of a short-term vacation rental unit, the owner(s) or the owner's authorized agent(s) or
representative(s) and/or the owner's designated local contact person shall:
1. Obtain the contact information of the responsible person;
2. Provide copies of all electronically distributed short-term vacation rental information from the city,
including the good guest brochure to the responsible person and each occupant of the short-term
vacation rental unit, and post a copy of the short-term vacation rental permit and a copy of the good
guest brochure in a conspicuous location within the short-term vacation rental unit, in a manner that
allows for the information to be viewed in its entirety; and require such responsible person to execute
a formal acknowledgement that he/she/they is/are legally responsible for compliance by all occupants
of the short-term vacation rental unit and their guests with all applicable laws, rules and regulations
pertaining to the use and occupancy of the short-term vacation rental unit. This information shall be
maintained by the owner or the owner's authorized agent or representative for a period of three (3)
years and be made readily available upon request of any officer of the city responsible for the
enforcement of any provision of this code or any other applicable law, rule or regulation pertaining to
the use and occupancy of the short-term vacation rental unit.
G. The owner, the owner's authorized agent or representative and/or the owner's designated local contact
person shall, upon notification or attempted notification that the responsible person and/or any occupant
and/or guest of the short-term vacation rental unit has created unreasonable or unlawful noise or
disturbances, engaged in disorderly conduct, or committed violations of any applicable law, rule or
regulation pertaining to the use and occupancy of the subject short-term vacation rental unit, promptly
respond within thirty (30) minutes to immediately halt and prevent a recurrence of such conduct by the
(Supp. No. 7, Update 3)
Created: 2026-01-28 09:56:34 [EST]
Page 6 of 8
responsible person and/or any occupants and/or guests. Failure of the owner, the owner's authorized agent
or representative and/or the owner's designated local contact person to respond to calls or complaints
regarding the condition, operation, or conduct of occupants and/or guests of the short-term vacation rental
unit within thirty (30) minutes, shall be subject to all administrative, legal and equitable remedies available
to the city.
H. The owner of a short-term vacation rental unit that has a valid homeshare short-term vacation rental permit
shall occupy the dwelling during the transient stay. A violation of any provision of this chapter, this code, or
any other applicable federal, state, or local laws or codes, by the owner, owner's authorized agent or
representative and/or the owner's designated local contact person shall be subject to all administrative, legal
and equitable remedies available to the city.
I. Trash and refuse shall not be left or stored within public view, except in proper containers for the purpose of
collection by the city's authorized waste hauler on scheduled trash collection days. The owner, the owner's
authorized agent or representative shall use reasonably prudent business practices to ensure compliance
with all the provisions of Chapter 6.04 (Solid Waste Collection and Disposal) (or successor provision, as may
be amended from time to time) of this code.
J. Signs may be posted on the premises to advertise the availability of the short-term vacation rental unit as
provided for in Chapter 9.160 (Signs) (or successor provision, as may be amended from time to time) of this
code.
K. Reserved.
L. Unless otherwise provided in this chapter, the owner and/or the owner's authorized agent or representative
shall comply with all provisions of Chapter 3.24 concerning transient occupancy taxes, including, but not
limited to, submission of a monthly return in accordance with Section 3.24.080 (or successor provisions, as
may be amended from time to time) of this code, which shall be filed monthly even if the short-term
vacation rental unit was not rented during each such month.
M. Guesthouses, detached from the primary residential dwelling on the property, or the primary residential
dwelling on the property, may be rented pursuant to this chapter as long as the guesthouse and the primary
residential dwelling are rented to one (1) party; provided, however, that this Subsection (M) does not apply
to multi -unit lock -off STVR units.
N. The owner and/or the owner's authorized agent or representative shall post the number of authorized
bedrooms, the current short-term vacation rental permit number, and whether the short-term vacation
rental unit is permitted as a "Homeshare," as defined in this chapter, at the beginning or top of any
advertisement that promotes the availability or existence of a short-term vacation rental unit; provided,
however, this requirement may be satisfied if a hosting platform used by the owner and/or owner's
authorized agent or representative provides a designated field(s) to post the number of authorized
bedrooms and the current short-term vacation rental permit number for the short-term vacation rental unit.
In the instance of audio -only advertising of the same, the short-term vacation rental permit number and the
number of authorized bedrooms, and whether the short-term vacation rental unit is permitted as a
"Homeshare" shall be read as part of the advertisement.
0. The owner and/or owner's authorized agent or representative shall operate a short-term vacation rental unit
in compliance with any other permits or licenses that apply to the property, including, but not limited to, any
permit or license needed to operate a special event pursuant to Section 9.60.170 (or successor provision, as
may be amended from time to time) of this code. The city may limit the number of special event permits
issued per year on residential dwellings pursuant to Section 9.60.170 (or successor provision, as may be
amended from time to time).
P. The city manager, or designee, shall have the authority to impose additional conditions on the use of any
given short-term vacation rental unit to ensure that any potential secondary effects unique to the subject
(Supp. No. 7, Update 3)
Created: 2026-01-28 09:56:34 [EST]
Page 7 of 8
short-term vacation rental unit are avoided or adequately mitigated, including, but not limited to, a
mitigating condition that would require the installation of a noise monitoring device to keep time -stamped
noise level data from the property that will be made available to the city upon city's reasonable request.
Q. The standard conditions set forth herein may be modified by the city manager, or designee, upon request of
the owner or the owner's authorized agent or representative based on site -specific circumstances for the
purpose of allowing reasonable accommodation of a short-term vacation rental unit. All requests must be in
writing and shall identify how the strict application of the standard conditions creates an unreasonable
hardship to a property such that, if the requirement is not modified, reasonable use of the property as a
short-term vacation rental unit would not be allowed. Any hardships identified must relate to physical
constraints to the subject site and shall not be self-induced or economic. Any modifications of the standard
conditions shall not further exacerbate an already existing problem.
R. On -site parking shall be on an approved driveway, garage, and/or carport areas only; this section does not
impose restrictions on public street parking regulations. Recreational vehicles may be parked in accordance
with the provisions set forth in Section 9.60.130 (or successor provision, as may be amended from time to
time) of this code.
S. No "apartment," "apartment building," or "apartment project," as defined in Section 9.280.030 (or successor
provision, as may be amended from time to time) of this code shall be eligible to apply for or obtain a short-
term vacation rental permit.
A privately owned residential dwelling, regardless of whether it is permitted or not as a short-term vacation
rental unit, rented for a period of thirty one (31) consecutive calendar days or more, counting portions of
calendar days as full days, by any person(s), with or without a rental agreement, that is subsequently sub -
rented or sub -leased to a Subtenant for a period of thirty (30) consecutive days or less, counting portions of
calendar days as full days, constitutes use of the privately owned residential dwelling as a short-term
vacation rental unit and is subject to the provisions of this chapter. This Subsection (T) is declaratory of
existing law under this chapter.
(Ord. 619 § 1, Exh. A, 12-17-2024; Ord. No. 608, § 1, 12-5-2023; Ord. No. 607, Exh. A, 12-5-2023; Ord. 590 § 1(Exh.
A), 3-16-2021; Ord. 586 § 1(Exh. A), 12-15-2020; Ord. 577 § 1, 2019; Ord. 572 § 1, 2018; Ord. 563 § 1, 2017; Ord.
501§2,2012)
(Supp. No. 7, Update 3)
Created: 2026-01-28 09:56:34 [EST]
Page 8 of 8
Ordinance No. 631
Chapter 3.25 Short -Term Vacation Rentals — Amending Sections 3.25.020, 3.25.030, and 3.25.070
Adopted: April 7, 2026
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE) ss.
CITY OF LA QUINTA )
I, MONIKA RADEVA, City Clerk of the City of La Quinta, California, do hereby certify the
foregoing to be a full, true, and correct copy of Ordinance No. 631 which was introduced
at a regular meeting on the 17th day of March 2026, and was adopted at a regular meeting
held on the 7th day of April 2026, not being less than 5 days after the date of introduction
thereof.
I further certify that the foregoing Ordinance was posted in three places within the City of
La Quinta as specified in the Rules of Procedure adopted by City Council Resolution No.
2022-027.
_* 4
MONIKA RADEVA, Uty Clerk
City of La Quinta, California
DECLARATION OF POSTING
I, MONIKA RADEVA, City Clerk of the City of La Quinta, California, do hereby certify that
the foregoing ordinance was posted on April 8, 2026, pursuant to Council Resolution.
-jul
MONIKA RA15EVX, City Clerk
City of La Quinta, California