Photo credit: Patrick Pelster licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
by Daniel Fink, MD, Chair, The Quiet Coalition
The headline in the print version of the Los Angeles Times is “The party police are watching you,” but the Times is really writing about noise police.
Palm Springs has been a getaway location since the early twentieth century, and as the Times notes:
Is now a year-round tourist draw thanks to its art scene, progressive sensibilities, and poolside vibes. Big annual events, such as the Coachella Valley Music and Art Festival and the Stagecoach country music festival, both in nearby Indio, as well as several tennis and golf championships, bring in thousands of additional visitors.
In 2017, Palm Springs adopted regulations for short-term rentals, including prohibiting generating music or loud noise that can be heard beyond the property line. The fine for the first violation is a hefty $500, escalating to $1,000 for the second violation and $1,500 for the third. After the third citation in a 12-month period, the city suspends the landlord’s rental permit for two years. Since average nightly rentals are $700 with rentals during the various events going as high as $1,700, landlords have an incentive to make sure their short-term tenants follow the rules. The rules also extend to parking, with only one car allowed for each bedroom in a rented house.
Palm Springs is serious about protecting the rights of homeowners to peace and quiet.
We urge other cities to emulate Palm Springs’ example.
