The definitions set forth in this section shall govern the meaning and construction of the words and phrases used in this chapter, except where the context of such words and phrases clearly indicates a different meaning or construction.
APPLICABLE LAWS, RULES AND REGULATIONS. 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 rental.
APPLICANT. The owner of the short-term rental.
BEDROOM. An area of a short-term rental normally occupied and being heated or cooled by any equipment for human habitation, which consists of four walls to the ceiling, at least one of which is located along an exterior wall with a window, and contains a built-in closet.
CLUSTER or COMPOUND. Any two or more short-term rentals that operate on a unified or shared basis where occupants of such short-term rentals have exclusive access to more than one short-term rental and/or the facilities of such short-term rentals, including by way of example, a swimming pool, tennis court, or cooking facilities.
COACHELLA VALLEY. The territory within the boundaries of the cities of Desert Hot Springs, Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio, Coachella, and the unincorporated area of Riverside County that is within the territorial boundaries of the Palm Springs and Desert Sands Unified School District, and that portion of the Coachella Valley Unified School District located within Riverside County, as such boundaries may be adjusted from time to time as allowed for under the law.
CONTRACT. A written agreement or evidence of any tenancy that allows or provides for the short-term rental of property.
HOSTING PLATFORM. A person or entity that participates in the short-term 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. HOSTING PLATFORMS usually, though not necessarily, conduct booking transactions through an internet-based platform that allows an operator or owner to advertise a rental unit on a website provided by the HOSTING PLATFORM and potential renters to arrange use and payment, whether the renter pays rent directly to the operator, owner or the HOSTING PLATFORM.
LOCAL CONTACT PERSON. The person designated by the owner who shall be available 24 hours per day, seven days per week for the purpose of: (1) responding in person to the short-term rental within 30 minutes to complaints regarding the condition, operation, or conduct of occupants of the short-term rental unit; and (2) taking remedial action to resolve any such complaints. The LOCAL CONTACT PERSON must reside in the Coachella Valley.
MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING. Any complex, structure or a portion of a structure zoned, used and/or designated as rental dwellings and that includes two or more independent dwelling units. This includes, but is not limited to, duplexes, triplexes, quadriplex, apartments, and townhouses.
OCCUPANT. An individual of any age that is present on the property during the duration of the short-term rental contracted stay. An OCCUPANT may also be a responsible person. Persons hired by the owner to perform bona fide cleaning, maintenance, landscaping, construction, repair or similar services on the property will not be considered to be OCCUPANTS, provided said persons are solely engaged in activities directly related to the services for which they were hired.
OWNER. The person(s), corporation(s) or other legal entity(ies) that hold(s) legal and/or equitable title to the property used as a short-term rental.
PERMIT and RENEWAL PERMIT. A permit that allows the use of a privately owned residential dwelling unit as a short-term rental pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
PERMIT ADMINISTRATOR. The Finance Director or such other city employee as may be designated by the City Manager to administer the provisions of this chapter.
PROPERTY. A residential legal lot of record on which a short-term rental is located.
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE. A vehicle intended for temporary occupancy, with or without a motor, including without limitation any automobile, motorhome, travel trailer, truck campers, camping trailers, park trailers, fifth wheel trailers, house cars, trailer coaches, slide in or pop up campers, truck campers, tent trailers and any boat or house boat.
RESPONSIBLE PERSON. The signatory on the contract for a short-term rental and/or any person(s) occupying the short-term rental without a contract and whom is legally responsible for ensuring that all occupants of the short-term rental comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations pertaining to the use and occupancy of the subject short-term rental unit.
SHORT-TERM RENTAL. Any privately owned residential dwelling, as defined by the city's zoning ordinance, that is offered for rent and/or rented by the owner to another party with or without a contract for occupancy, dwelling, lodging, or sleeping purposes for a period of not more than 30 consecutive calendar days in exchange for any form of monetary or non-monetary consideration, including but not limited to trade, fee, swap or any other consideration in lieu of cash payment. The term "dwelling" does not include any impermanent, transitory, or mobile means of temporary lodging that is located on the same property as the SHORT-TERM RENTAL, including but not limited to a vehicle parked on the property, storage sheds, mobile homes, recreational vehicles (RVs), car trailers, boats or similar watercrafts, or any temporary structure, including but not limited to camping tents and tree houses.
(Ord. 1766, passed 12-14-21)