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CITY OF LA QUINTA

City of La Quinta - Short-Term Vacation Rental Program
Frequently Asked Questions

1)    What is a Short-Term Vacation Rental (STVR)?

 

An STVR is a legally permitted dwelling rented for periods of 30 consecutive days or less, counting portions of calendar days as full days. The dwelling can be rented entirely or limited to one or more rooms.

 

2)    Is an STVR permit required?

 

Yes, an STVR permit and business license, issued by the City of La Quinta, are required prior to advertising and renting the dwelling for periods of 30 consecutive days or less.

 

3)    What STVR permit types are available?

 

The following STVR permit types are available:

1)  Homeshare – a dwelling rented as an STVR unit in which the owner lives on-site and in the dwelling throughout the visitor(s) stay.

 

2)  Primary Residence – a dwelling rented as an STVR unit which is the owner’s primary residence; however, the owner does not reside in the dwelling during the visitor(s) stay.

 

3)  General STVR – a dwelling rented as an STVR unit which is the owner’s secondary residence or investment property; and the owner does not reside in the dwelling during the visitor(s) stay.

 

4)  Estate Home – a dwelling rented as an STVR unit which has 5 or more bedrooms*

 *Estate Home can be a subtype of any of the 3 STVR permit types listed above.

 

4)    Can I apply for an STVR permit now?

 

Effective May 20, 2021, the issuance of new STVR permits is prohibited pursuant to Section 3.25.055 of the La Quinta Municipal Code.

 

Specific limited exceptions to this ban apply as follows:

 

1)  Properties located within the Tourist and Village Commercial zones.

 

2) Properties located within a residential project which is subject to a development agreement or subject to a condition(s) of approval tied to any entitlement approved by the City where STVRs are an intended use authorized under the CC&Rs.

 

3)  Properties located within the SilverRock Resort Specific Plan and the Estates at Griffin Lake Specific Plan.

 

4)  Homeshare STVR permits

 

5)    Who needs to apply for an STVR permit?

 

Any property owner who wishes to rent their dwelling for a period of 30 consecutive days or less is required to apply for an STVR permit.

 

6)    How much does an STVR permit cost?

 

a.    Homeshare STVR Permit (less than 5 bedrooms) – $300

 

b.    Homeshare STVR Permit (Estate Home – 5 bedrooms or more) – $550

 

c.    Primary Residence STVR Permit (less than 5 bedrooms) – $750

 

d.    Primary Residence STVR Permit (Estate Home – 5 bedrooms or more) – $1,250

 

e.    Primary Residence STVR Permit – Multi-Unit Lock-Off – $750

 

f.     General STVR Permit (less than 5 bedrooms) – $1,000

 

g.    General STVR Permit (Estate Home – 5 bedroom or more) – $1,250

 

h.    General STVR Permit – Multi-Unit Lock-Off – $1,000

 

i.      General STVR Permit (subject to mitigation fee*; less than 5 bedrooms) – $300

 

j.      General STVR Permit (subject to mitigation fee*; Estate Home – 5 bedrooms or more) –$550

 

k.    General STVR Permit (subject to mitigation fee*; Multi-Unit Lock-Off) – $550

 

l.    Inspection – if a special inspection is required, it will be billed in half-hour increments using the billing rate of the department conducting the inspection.

 

(Note: inspection fees do not apply to Estate Home STVR permits because an inspection is required and the inspection fee is included in the STVR permit fee.)

 

m.  Technology Enhancement Fee – 5% of STVR permit fee (applies to all permit types)

 

* A residential dwelling within a residential project subject to a mitigation fee, paid annually to the city to offset revenue losses caused by the development of the residential project, pursuant to a development agreement with the city, or pursuant to a condition of approval(s) attached to any entitlement approved by the city (including but not limited to a specific plan, subdivision map, or site development permit), pursuant to which STVRs are a permitted use.


7)    Is a business license required to operate an STVR?

 

Yes, the property owner must obtain a City of La Quinta issued business license before an STVR permit will be issued. A business license is also required for the local contact person, and the management company if applicable.

8)    What is the cost of a business license?

 

The business license annual fee is based on the estimated yearly gross earnings for the STVR unit.

9)    How do I begin the STVR permit application process?

 

1)  Email City staff at VacationLQ@LaQuintaCA.gov with the property address to confirm that the property is eligible for an STVR permit.

 

2)  Following the confirmation of eligibility, staff will request a copy of the recorded grant deed to be emailed to VacationLQ@LaQuintaCA.gov to confirm ownership and to create a property account. 

 

3)  Once a property account is created, instructions on how to create a sign-in and obtain access to the property account to complete the STVR permit and business license applications will be provided via email.

 

10) Is there any other documents required to be submitted with the STVR permit application?

 

Yes, you will be prompted to provide a scan of a current Driver’s License or Government issued Identification Card to have on file as part of the application.

 

11) When do I need to renew my STVR permit and business license?

 

An STVR permit and business license shall be valid for one (1) year and must be renewed annually to remain valid. Renewal applications for the STVR permit and business license shall be submitted before their expiration date. Failure to submit a renewal application before the expiration date may result in the STVR permit and business license being terminated.

 

12) What if I do not get an STVR permit?

 

Operating an STVR unit without a valid STVR permit and business license issued by the City of La Quinta is subject to fines.

1)    1st Violation - $1,500

2)    2nd Violation - $3,000

3)    3rd Violation or more - $5,000

 

In conjunction with the fine, the owner will be prohibited all time from being eligible to be issued an STVR permit.

 

13) What are the STVR advertisement requirements?

 

Each advertisement must list the 6-digit STVR permit number and the number of authorized bedrooms at the top or the beginning of the ad, or within a specifically designated field for this information on the advertisement listing.

 

Only the authorized number of bedrooms as approved by the City can be listed on the ad. The permitted bedroom count can be found on the STVR permit downloadable and printable from the property account online portal.

 

14) What is Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT)?

 

TOT is a 10% rental tax collected on short-term rental income. The rental income subject to TOT is inclusive of all fees charged to guests, including but not limited to daily/nightly rental rate, cleaning fees, pool heating fees, etc.

 

TOT is generally applicable to hotel and bed and breakfast stays; and it is sometimes referred to as a bed tax, tourist tax, hotel tax, or lodging tax. These tax rates can vary by city and state.

 

15) What is Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID)?

 

Effective July 1, 2021, all STVR units are subject to pay a 1% TBID assessment on all rental stays of 27 days or less. The City collects the TBID assessment, on behalf of the Greater Palm Springs Tourism Business Improvement District (GPSTBID), at the same time as the 10% monthly TOT is remitted.

 

Visit www.visitgreaterpalmsprings.com/2020-tbid/ for more information.

 

Please note, for rental stays of 28 days up to 30 days, no TBID is due and a Non-TBID TOT form must be requested by contacting VacationLQ@LaQuintaCA.gov.

 

16) When is TOT & TBID due?

 

TOT and TBID must be reported and paid monthly, with payments due no later than 30 days after the end of a reporting month. A completed TOT form is required and must be submitted each month through the property account online portal even for periods with no rental activity for the STVR unit. All outstanding TOT and TBID must be paid prior to an STVR permit is renewed.

 

17) Is there a penalty for late TOT payments?

 

A penalty and interest fee are charged for delinquent remittances at a rate of 10.5% on both the TOT and TBID.

 

18) Does my STVR permit apply to multiple properties?

 

No, STVR permits are issued and valid for one property only.

 

19) Is my STVR permit transferable to another property?

 

No, STVR permits cannot be transferred to another property.

 

20) Is my STVR permit transferable to a new owner if I sell my property?

 

No, STVR permits are closed upon the sale of a property and cannot be transferred to a new owner.

 

21) Do I have to display my permit and the good guest brochure; and if so, when and where?

 

Yes, the STVR permit and the good guest brochure must be posted in a conspicuous place within the STVR unit at all times.

 

22) How do I update information on my STVR permit and property account?

 

All information on the STVR permit and property account must be up-to-date at all times.

 

Upon any changes, such as change of an owner’s authorized agent or representative, local contact, ownership, etc., please contact City staff at VacationLQ@LaQuintaCA.gov or (760) 777-7091 to have the appropriate forms added to the property account so that the owner or owner’s authorized agent can update the information through the online portal.

 

Failure to update this information may result in violation of the City’s STVR program regulations, including but not limited to, a suspension or revocation of the STVR permit, until all information is updated.

 

23) What happens if I am not in compliance with the STVR program regulations pursuant to La Quinta Municipal Code Chapter 3.25?

 

Violation(s) for non-compliancemay result in citation(s) and respective fines, as well as a suspension or revocation of the STVR permit and business license.

 

Please reference La Quinta Municipal Code Chapter 3.25.090 for details on violations and related fines which can be accessed using the link provided below:

https://library.municode.com/ca/la_quinta/codes/municipal_code?nodeId=TIT3REFI_CH3.25SHRMVARE_3.25.090VI

 

24) How many occupants can stay in an STVR unit?

 

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.); **Daytime (7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.)

 

25) What payment methods are accepted?

 

The City accepts payments through the property account online portal via debit or credit cards, such as Visa, Mastercard, and Discover. Please note all debit and credit card transactions are subject to a service processing fee of 3% on the transaction amount with a minimum fee of $0.50 cents per transaction, which is not greater than the City’s cost of acceptance.

 

eChecks are also accepted through the property account online portal and are subject to a service processing fee of $1 dollar per transaction, which is not greater than the City’s cost of acceptance.

 

26) Is my payment method saved in the system?

 

No, for security purposes, payment method information is not retained in the system, and will need to be entered each time a payment is made through the property account online portal.

 

27) How do I amend a TOT payment?

 

Please submit a written request by emailing VacationLQ@LaQuintaCA.gov notifying the City you need to file an amended TOT reporting. In the email please include:

 

1)    The 6-digit STVR permit number and owner(s) name

 

2)    Time period (month and year) that needs to be amend (i.e. Jan. 2025 form due Feb. 28, 2025)

 

3)    If the original TOT reporting resulted in overpayment or underpayment.

 

Once the City receives the written request, the account will be reviewed and further instructions will be provided.

 

28) I need to close my account. What do I do?

 

1)  Log into the STVR unit property account via the online portal and verify that all TOT tasks are completed.

 

2)  Email the City at VacationLQ@LaQuintaCA.gov and include the following information:

a.    Closure date (i.e. date of sale)

 

b.    Reason you are closing the account (i.e. no longer short-term renting, property sold, etc.).

 

3)  City staff will confirm the closure of the account following the verification that all necessary TOT tasks have been completed.

 

29) Can I manage multiple properties with one login?

 

Yes, to do so log into the property account, click on “Add Accounts” under “Manage Your Account(s).” 

 

The 6-digit STVR permit number and an activation code are required to connect to an existing STVR unit property account.

 

30) Can an STVR unit property account have more than one user?

 

Yes, each STVR unit property account can have an unlimited number of users. Each user is required to provide the 6-digit STVR permit number and the activation code to gain access to an existing STVR unit property account.

 

31) How do I add a new user(s) to an STVR unit property account?

 

New users must create an account through the online permitting system using the following link and the steps below:  https://laquinta.munirevs.com.

 

1)  Click the "Register here!" link under "New Users," and follow the instructions as prompted by the system.

 

2) To connect to an existing STVR unit property account, each user must have the 6-digit STVR permit number and activation code. Please contact the City at VacationLQ@LaQuintaCA.gov for this information and authorization to be added to an existing STVR permit.

 

32) Where are my tax forms? My Business Center is empty.

 

Tax forms are made available on the 1st day of the month following the last day of the tax period. For example, the January 2025 tax forms will be available in the Business Center on February 1, 2025. If there are no tax forms as expected, please email staff for assistance at VacationLQ@LaQuintaCA.gov.

 

33) How do I submit a zero-tax return through STVR unit property account?

 

1)  Click on the TOT task listed in the Business Center.

 

2)  Download and fill out the "No Rental Activity Certification" form that is linked within the "Document Uploader" screen.

 

3)  Once the completed “No Rental Activity Certification” form is uploaded as the monthly upload, enter "0" on lines 1-3 on the TOT form, along with the applicable name, title, and date at the bottom of the form.

 

4)  To complete the zero balance, check out, click "Submit,” "Payment Method,” and "Complete Transaction" to complete the task.

 

34) I forgot my password. What do I do?

 

From the log-in page, click the “Forgot your password?” link and follow the instructions that will be emailed to the user’s registered email address.

 

35) How will I receive alerts and reminders when TOT and renewal tasks need to be completed?

 

All alerts are emailed to the email address(es) associated with the STVR unit property account used to submit applications and to complete the monthly TOT tasks.


Once an user is logged in the system, all open tasks that need to be completed will be listed in the Business Center.

 

 

GovOS Technical Assistance:

blt.str.support@govos.com; (888) 751-1911


When contacting support, be sure to include the jurisdiction (La Quinta) and the STVR unit property account number in all emails or voicemails. This will help us assist you as promptly as possible.

Thank you!