Palm Springs · Renting & eviction
Renting in Palm Springs: the rules that apply
Palm Springs limits rent increases on units under its 1979 and 1990 (Measure H) rent control laws and requires relocation pay for approved conversions and mobile home park closures. Eviction reasons follow state law, and vacation rentals and homesharing need a city registration certificate.
Key points
- Rent increases: Measure H units: total increases since September 1979 are limited to 3/4 of the CPI increase; no more than 1 increase per 12 months.
- Just cause: Palm Springs has no just-cause rule of its own; state law requires a just cause to end a covered unit's tenancy after 12 months.
- Relocation pay: In Palm Springs, city-approved conversions of rental multifamily housing require 3 months' rent per tenant, plus 1 month for each year over 3 years.
- Rent increase notice: Rent increase notice: at least 60 days on Measure H units and 90 days under the original rent control chapter (city rules).
- Short-term rentals: Palm Springs vacation rentals need a registration certificate, renewed every year; ADUs and junior ADUs may not be rented for less than 30 days.
- Hotel tax: Palm Springs' hotel tax is 11.5% of the rent, or 13.5% at group meeting hotels instead of the general rate.
Each rule below is marked Palm Springs code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Rent increases
Palm Springs code Measure H units: total increases since September 1979 are limited to 3/4 of the CPI increase; no more than 1 increase per 12 months.
All 4 Palm Springs rules on rent increases, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Eviction and just cause
CA state law Palm Springs has no rule of its own on this, so California law applies. Just cause required: After 12 months of lawful occupancy, the owner may terminate only for a just cause stated in the notice (Civ. Code § 1946.2(a)). Just-cause eviction in California — the full state rule →
Relocation payments
Palm Springs code In Palm Springs, city-approved conversions of rental multifamily housing require 3 months' rent per tenant, plus 1 month for each year over 3 years.
All 8 Palm Springs rules on relocation payments, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Notices
Palm Springs code Rent increase notice: at least 60 days on Measure H units and 90 days under the original rent control chapter (city rules).
All 7 Palm Springs rules on notices, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Security deposits
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CA state law Underneath, California law still applies. Security deposit cap: One month's rent, on top of the first month's rent (Civ. Code § 1950.5(c)(1), (c)(6)). Deposit return deadline: 21 calendar days after the tenant moves out, with an itemized statement of any deductions (Civ. Code § 1950.5(h)(1)). California security deposit law — the full state rule →
Retaliation
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CA state law Underneath, California law still applies. Retaliation protection period: For 180 days after a tenant complains about habitability (to the landlord or an agency), the landlord may not evict, raise rent or cut services in retaliation (Civ. Code § 1942.5(a), (b)). Retaliatory eviction in California — the full state rule →
Harassment and lockouts
CA state law Palm Springs has no rule of its own on this, so California law applies. Lockouts and self-help eviction banned: A landlord may not change locks, remove doors or windows, or remove the tenant's belongings to force a tenant out (Civ. Code § 789.3(b)). Utility shutoffs banned: A landlord may not cut off water, heat, electricity, gas or other utilities to force a tenant out (Civ. Code § 789.3(a)). Tenant harassment and lockouts in California — the full state rule →
Repairs and habitability
CA state law Palm Springs has no rule of its own on this, so California law applies. Duty to keep the unit habitable: The landlord must deliver a unit fit to live in and repair conditions that make it untenantable (Civ. Code § 1941). Repair and deduct: A tenant may make a repair the landlord neglects and deduct the cost from rent, up to one month's rent, no more than twice in any 12 months (Civ. Code § 1942(a)). Habitability and repair-and-deduct — the full state rule →
Landlord entry
CA state law Palm Springs has no rule of its own on this, so California law applies. Landlord entry notice: Reasonable written notice, presumed to be 24 hours, and entry only during normal business hours (Civ. Code § 1954(d)(1), (e)). Landlord entry notice in California — the full state rule →
Short-term rentals
Palm Springs code Palm Springs vacation rentals need a registration certificate, renewed every year; ADUs and junior ADUs may not be rented for less than 30 days.
All 10 Palm Springs rules on short-term rentals, with the code text →
Hotel and short-term rental tax
Palm Springs code Palm Springs' hotel tax is 11.5% of the rent, or 13.5% at group meeting hotels instead of the general rate.
All 4 Palm Springs rules on hotel and short-term rental tax, with the code text →
Other Palm Springs rules on this
Palm Springs's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Rent Control (§ 4.08.130) — mobile home park conversions only
- Tenant Relocation and Protection Requirements (Ch. 5.85)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Does a landlord in Palm Springs need a reason to evict?
Palm Springs has no just-cause rule of its own; state law requires a just cause to end a covered unit's tenancy after 12 months.
How much can a Palm Springs landlord charge for a security deposit?
Palm Springs's code: 1 month's rent. (Unfurnished rentals.) (§ 4.10.030); 2 months’ rent. (Furnished rentals. State law now caps most landlords’ deposits lower than this, and the state cap still applies.) (§ 4.10.030). State law: One month's rent, on top of the first month's rent (Civ. Code § 1950.5(c)(1), (c)(6)).
General information, not legal advice.
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