Desert Hot Springs · Renting & eviction
Renting in Desert Hot Springs: the rules that apply
Desert Hot Springs has no rent control or just-cause rule of its own, so state law sets rent caps and eviction reasons for covered units, and notice periods. City rules cover vacation rental permits, a hotel tax and relocation when the city finds a unit endangers tenants' immediate health and safety.
Key points
- Rent increases: Desert Hot Springs has no rent control; state law caps increases on covered units at 8.1% from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.
- Just cause: The city has no just-cause rule; state law: after 12 months, a tenancy in a covered unit ends only for a just cause.
- Relocation pay: State law: 1 month's rent for no-fault evictions in covered units; city rules cover units the city finds endanger tenants' immediate health and safety.
- Notices: The city has no notice rule; state law: 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, 30 if under 1 year.
- Vacation rentals: City rule: vacation rentals need a permit and business license; at most 4% of developed housing parcels; none within 500 feet of another.
- Hotel tax: City rule: the hotel and short-term rental tax is 12% of the rent, collected from each guest with the rent.
Each rule below is marked Desert Hot Springs code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Rent increases
CA state law Desert Hot Springs has no rule of its own on this, so California law applies. Rent cap right now: 8.1% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027 (5% plus 3.1% inflation) (Civ. Code § 1947.12(a)(1), (g)). California's statewide rent cap — the full state rule →
Eviction and just cause
CA state law Desert Hot 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
Desert Hot Springs code State law: 1 month's rent for no-fault evictions in covered units; city rules cover units the city finds endanger tenants' immediate health and safety.
Notices
We found no Desert Hot Springs rule on this in the Desert Hot Springs Municipal Code (checked October 2026). The state rule below applies.
| Notice of a rent increase | At least 30 days' notice for an increase of 10% or less; at least 90 days for an increase of more than 10% Applies: The 10% is measured against the rent charged at any time in the 12 months before the increase, counting all increases in that period together. |
|---|---|
| Notice to end a month-to-month tenancy (landlord) | 60 days' notice; 30 days if the tenant has lived there less than one year Applies: Where the unit is covered by just cause (Civ. Code § 1946.2) or a local ordinance, the notice must also state a qualifying cause. |
| Notice to end a month-to-month tenancy (tenant) | At least as long as the rental period (one month for a month-to-month tenancy) |
| 30-day notice when the unit is sold to an owner-occupant | 30 days' notice when a separately sellable unit is in escrow to a natural person who will live there for at least a year Applies: Notice within 120 days of opening escrow, given once, and all § 1946.1(d) conditions met. |
| Notice to pay rent or quit | 3 days, not counting Saturdays, Sundays and judicial holidays, stating the amount due and how to pay Applies: May be served any time within one year after the rent became due. |
| Notice to cure a lease violation or quit | 3 days, not counting Saturdays, Sundays and judicial holidays, to perform the broken lease term or leave |
| No fee for serving notices | A landlord may not charge the tenant a fee for serving or posting a notice |
Security deposits
CA state law Desert Hot Springs has no rule of its own on this, so California law 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
CA state law Desert Hot Springs has no rule of its own on this, so California law 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 Desert Hot 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 Desert Hot 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 Desert Hot 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
Desert Hot Springs code City rule: vacation rentals need a permit and business license; at most 4% of developed housing parcels; none within 500 feet of another.
All 4 Desert Hot Springs rules on short-term rentals, with the code text →
Hotel and short-term rental tax
| Tax rate |
|
|---|---|
| Who collects it |
|
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How much can rent go up in Desert Hot Springs?
Desert Hot Springs has no rent control; state law caps increases on covered units at 8.1% from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.
Does a landlord in Desert Hot Springs need a reason to evict?
The city has no just-cause rule; state law: after 12 months, a tenancy in a covered unit ends only for a just cause.
How much notice does a Desert Hot Springs landlord have to give?
The city has no notice rule; state law: 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, 30 if under 1 year.
How much can a Desert Hot Springs landlord charge for a security deposit?
Desert Hot Springs has no local rule on this that we found (checked October 2026); state law applies: One month's rent, on top of the first month's rent (Civ. Code § 1950.5(c)(1), (c)(6)).
What is the hotel tax on short-term rentals in Desert Hot Springs?
City rule: the hotel and short-term rental tax is 12% of the rent, collected from each guest with the rent.
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a specific Desert Hot Springs property
Ask GoCodebook how these rules apply to your address and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question