Oooooh, this is the step you wish didn’t exist, isn’t it? Yeah, but it’s the law. Bummer. Anyways, so once escrow closes, where do you go, and what do you need? As soon as you own the home and BEFORE you list as an STR (short term rental under 30 days) you must head over to the city and officially declare the property as a registered vacation rental in the Town of Joshua Tree (or Yucca Valley or 29 Palms if you’re doing your homework). How and where is that? Simple.

The first step is knowing where to go and what to bring. If the Airbnb is located in the town of Joshua Tree, you will need to bring your documents to the county offices. You can download a Special Use permit application for Short Term Rentals at http://www.sbcounty.gov then click Code Enforcement, then Applications, and scroll down. Click the link to download and fill out.

The second step is gathering all of your information and putting it all on record. As noted on the application, you will be required to pay $600 in permitting fees, a complete Plot Plan of the property and its usage, and a completed Uniform Transient Occupancy Tax form (TOT) brought in all together. The Code Enforcements Division will take up to two weeks to approve your application and grant your legal permission to operate as a special use/ small hotel rental.

From there you will be guided through the rest of the process for your unique property and carry on from there. Joshua Tree, in particular, is a very small town short on many city services buildings so be sure to know the numbers and departments of the county you will need, just in case. The application form will contain them and most of the rules and legal requirements you are required to have in your STR dwelling so read the ENTIRETY of the form and follow every guideline correctly.

All of your monies, forms, and documents required are to be turned in at the address listed on the application. The phone numbers if you have any questions are also included there, including information for tax forms. Your property will be subjected to an inspection as well prior to operation and final approval.

Once the county has cleared you to go, you’re all set! Time to call your real estate agent, that’s me, and get to making some money!!