Smith Noncompliant with Short-term Rental Law

Anyse Smith Fails to Comply with Palm Desert’s Short-term Rental Law

PALM DESERT — Anyse Smith, a candidate for Palm Desert City in District 3, is currently in violation of the city’s short-term rental law, according to Riverside County Code Enforcement.

Anyse Smith, 38, has been advertising what she calls the family home at 71730 Jaguar Way as vacation rental on Airbnb.com without the proper rental permit, according to Felisa Cardona, Public Information Officer for Riverside County’s Transportation and Land Management Agency.

The 7-bedroom, 11-bed and 5-bath property rents for $97,737 per month, according to the Airbnb advertisement.

“The property in question is an open and pending case and the property still needs to undergo an inspection before a short-term rental certificate could be issued,” according to Felisa Cardona, Public Information Officer for Riverside County’s Transportation and Land Management Agency. “Code Enforcement has not issued any fines regarding this property. Code Enforcement works with property owners to help bring their properties into compliance with the County’s short-term rental ordinance.”

In July, Cardona acknowledged the department receiving one complaint for that address at the call center and a case was opened on July 11. Owners may be served with a cease-and-desist order from Code Enforcement to end unpermitted operations and the property could be subject to $1,000 fine per day, Cardona said.

An STR certificate costs $740 with an annual renewal fee of $540.

Smith is challenging incumbent Councilmember Gina Nestande, Stephen Nelson is also vying for the seat.

Smith had not returned two requests for comment before publication of this story.