Local & Community
Palm Springs Considering Extending Ban on Vacation Rental Another Month
PALM SPRINGS (CNS) – As Palm Springs continues to stare down an estimated $78 million in lost tax revenue through next fiscal year due to COVID- 19, the City Council Thursday will consider extending a temporary ban on all vacation rentals and hotel stays not related to the coronavirus response for another month.
The ban, which has been in place for nearly two months, is set to sunset at the end of May, but city staff are recommending the mandate be lengthened to the last day of June due to uncertainties with the state’s timeline for reopening.
A similar requirement was nixed at the county level earlier this month, making Palm Springs eligible to jumpstart its mostly tourism-based economy if it decides to lift the ban that has been in place since March 24.
The city’s order applies to all temporary lodging, including hotels and vacation rentals like Airbnb, unless those rentals are being used for “migration and containment measures related to the spread” of COVID-19, according to the city.
Violators can be fined $5,000 for a first offense, which increases to $10,000 and $25,000 for second and third offenses, respectively, the order reads.
City staff recommend extending the order for another month, unless Gov. Gavin Newsom moves California into stage 3 of California’s Resilience Roadmap sooner. The state’s four-stage reopening plan concludes with stage 4, representing the lifting of Newsom’s stay-at-home order — which has been in place since March 19 — and the reopening of higher risk businesses such as sports arenas and concert halls.
California is currently in the beginning of stage 2, with stage 3 including the reopening of “hospitality” services, “which would appear to include hotels and other short-term lodging,” according to the report.
“However, the State is not yet at Stage 3, and the Governor has given no clear date at which he believes the State will be there. Therefore, it would seem prudent to extend the City’s short term lodging prohibition through the end of June. Should the State move to Stage 3 sooner, the City could rescind or modify this order,” the report reads.
The council’s possible decision to keep hotels and local Airbnbs mostly shuttered comes as Palm Springs continues to confront an estimated $78 million in lost tax revenue due to COVID-19. The number includes estimated revenues for next fiscal year, which ends on June 30, 2021.
This includes diminished sales tax revenue, as well as lost money normally generated through the city’s transient occupancy tax, also known as a room or bed tax, which is collected through hotels or other short-term lodging facilities.
Thursday’s City Council meeting will start at 3 p.m. instead of the normal 6 p.m. time due to an anticipated lengthy meeting attributed to budgetary discussions, according to city officials.
By: NBC Palm Springs
May 20, 2020
Latest Instagram Posts
A highly anticipated hearing in the People vs. William Rodriguez case was postponed for a second time today after the prosecution used a legal move to request a new judge for the hearing. Today a judge was expected to rule whether or not to dismiss Rodriguez’s murder charge after he struck and killed 60 year old Christina Barrington in Cathedral City. Tune in to our 5,6 and 11 p.m newscasts as our @newsbyalondra has all the latest details.
🎭 Kevin Mann is back with “Mann on the Aisle,” reviewing Cat on a Hot Tin Roof at The Bent Theatre! 🐈🔥 How does this classic Tennessee Williams drama hold up on the local stage? Kevin shares his take on the performances, the production and what audiences can expect. Watch the latest review from NBC Palm Springs! #NBCPalmSprings #MannOnTheAisle #CatOnAHotTinRoof #TheaterReview #CoachellaValley #LocalTheater
🚧 Tropical Storm Rachel left its mark on Highway 111. Caltrans crews are working on a $4.2 million emergency repair project near North Shore after flooding and washouts damaged the roadway along the Salton Sea. Repairs are underway weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. between Crooker Drive and Vanderveer Road. There’s no word yet on when the work will be complete. #SaltonSea #Highway111 #TropicalStormRachel #Caltrans #CoachellaValley
☕️ Social Time: dressing up for Halloween this year? If so, what’s your costume?
More than 1,000 runners and walkers took on the “World’s Toughest 6K” at the 39th annual Palm Springs Aerial Tram Road Challenge! 🏃♀️🏃♂️ Cathedral City’s Amelio Chio claimed the overall win in 28:08, while Jade Belzberg took first place in the women’s division with a time of 30:42. Local athletes from across the Coachella Valley also made their mark on the challenging course! #PalmSprings #TramRoadChallenge #CoachellaValley #Running #RoadRace NBCPalmSprings
Who makes the NBC Top 3, winner will be announced Sunday night on NBC Palm Springs, with the player who makes the number one spot winning a $250 prize from @hondaofthedesert! Comment below if it will be 1) Damian Walls extending the play for the TD, 2) Aiden Pope with the 100 yard pick-six, 3) Adam Tremper breaking tackles for the TD, 4) Trey Boulton snagging the contested catch, or 5) Devin Session with the TD throw on the run #hondaofthedesert #fnl #fridaynightlights #fyp #highschoolfootball
We’re in Palm Desert this morning as demonstrators gather for the No Kings rally, joining a nationwide day of protests and calls for political accountability. We’re talking with people at the rally about why they’re here and what they hope their voices will accomplish. Events are taking place across the country, with organizers also encouraging voter participation ahead of the election. Follow NBC Palm Springs for more voices and scenes from today’s rally. #NBCPalmSprings #PalmDesert #NoKings #CoachellaValley #Protest CommunityVoices
We’re in Cathedral City this morning for the No Kings: Vote Early event, joining communities across the country focused on getting voters to the polls. We’re talking with people here about why they came out and what motivated them to participate. Nearly 3,000 events are taking place nationwide to encourage early voting and civic engagement. Stay with NBC Palm Springs for local voices and perspectives from today’s event. #NBCPalmSprings #CathedralCity #NoKings #VoteEarly #CoachellaValley CommunityVoices
“NO KINGS: VOTE EARLY”: Residents gathered at Palm Springs City Hall for the “No Kings: Vote Early” event, sharing what brought them out and why making their voices heard matters. #NoKings #PalmSprings #CoachellaValley #VoteEarly #civicengagement
Meet Gavin, aka “Banana Boy”! The Coachella Valley Firebirds fan favorite stopped by Very Caliente to share how his love of Fortnite inspired his iconic Peely costume — and his signature dance to “Peanut Butter Jelly Time” on the jumbotron. And yes, we finally got to see the face behind the banana! #NBCPalmSprings #VeryCaliente #CVFirebirds #BananaBoy #CoachellaValley