Welcome to the JTVRA
Joshua Tree Gateway Communities Vacation Rentals Association
Vacation Rental (short term rental) hosts and full time managers are invited to join participate in the Joshua Tree Gateway Communities Vacation Rentals Association. We work together as a community to inform hosts of resources, best practices, good neighbor etiquette and desert etiquette to share with guests.
Our Facebook discussion group is only open to currently active owners and full time managers/hosts/co-hosts of vacation rentals in the Morongo Basin also known as the Joshua Tree Gateway Communities.
To be added, go to the Facebook page and send a message to the page for info:
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Joshua Tree Gateway Communities Vacation Rentals Association Page
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If you aren't currently a host or full time manager of an active vacation rental, are looking for resources for creating a rental or if you have services to offer to vacation rental owners and managers you can join the Joshua Tree Vacation Rentals Resource group.
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Joshua Tree Vacation Rentals Resource
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Airbnb Ambassador Referral Link - support the JTVRA
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If you haven’t created a listing yet please use this referral link for Airbnb that will give you $60 when you start hosting and welcome your first guest. You will be connected with a local Airbnb Ambassador that will help guide you through the listing process and share their knowledge of local hosting practices. The JTVRA also gets a bonus which will go to running the JTVRA group and STR advocacy. A portion will be donated to a local non-profit like the Mojave Desert Land Trust. Great all around. Thanks!
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Read and sign up for the e-newsletter
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JTGC Vacation Rentals Association Newsletter
Latest STR Updates
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Unincorporated areas of San Bernardino County
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Application for Short Term Residential Rental Special Use Permit .
Short-term Residential Rental Standards
Short Term Rental (STR) Application and Inspection/Operational Requirements​
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Short-term residential rental unit permit requirement summary and owner acknowledgement
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City of Twentynine Palms
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Twentynine Palms Short Term Rental Application
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Town of Yucca Valley
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Yucca Valley Short Term Vacation Rental Application​
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Recreational (Rec) / Homestead Cabins
County bulletin on process for converting a Rec Cabin to a Single Family Dwelling
For hosts of accommodations which do not have an Occupancy Permit issued (designated as Single Family Residential (SFR) on the tax roll or Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU)) ie. Recreational (homestead) Cabins - a Short Term Rental Special Use Permit is not available at this time and cannot be applied for. County reps have said that in a next phase they will be working on considering the possibility of allowing rental of these types of accommodations. More information will be posted as it comes out.
Many people are buying homestead cabins also known as recreational (rec) cabins for the purposes of offering them as a vacation rental. Do extensive research before starting your project as these properties. Because of revisions in building and safety requirements, these may not be qualify to be given a STR permit if they do not have an occupancy permit. Substantial upgrades to foundation footing, insulation and other aspects of the structure would need to be brought up to current code requirements in order to be given an occupancy permit if the structure isn't already designated SFR.
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There is a Facebook group
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County Land Use Rec Cabin Information Bulletin
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County FAQ about homestead/recreational cabins
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Alternative Accommodations - trailers, yurts, etc.
For hosts of accommodations which do not have an Occupancy Permit issued (designated as Single Family Residential (SFR) on the tax roll or Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU)) ie. Recreational (homestead) Cabins and alternative accommodations (ie. trailers, RVs, yurts, teepees, domes, etc.) - a Short Term Rental Special Use Permit is not available at this time and cannot be applied for. County reps have said that in a next phase they will be working on considering the possibility of allowing rental of these types of accommodations. More information will be posted as it comes out.
The renting out of homestead/rec cabins (which have not been give single family residential - SFR designation), trailers, RV's, yurts, teepees, tiny homes, etc. are currently not allowed under current County code. If an alternative accommodation is operating on a parcel that does have a land use designation (ie SFR), typically with an existing permitted dwelling, there is currently an unofficial moratorium on enforcement in effect from County. This allows these accommodation offerings to operate as long as they are operated without danger to health or safety or complaints of neighborhood nuisance. This is in effect until a decision is reached by County if these will be allowed or not. If the parcel does not have a designation (ie raw land), then it is at risk of being cited with a cease and desist order by Code Enforcement.
If you are currently operating one of the types of accommodations it is very important to get connected asap. Please send an email describing your situation to hello@joshuatreevra.com requesting to get notified of and involved with establishing reasonable regulations for these types of accommodations.
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RESOURCES
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Joshua Tree Gateway Communities Tourism Committee
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The Joshua Tree Gateway Communities Tourism Committee is under the Desert Region Tourism Agency and was established to promote local events, showcase unique attractions and identify locations that would enhance the experiences of visitors. It is headquartered in the California Welcome Center in Yucca Valley. If you are interested in learn gin more about promoting tourism in the Morongo Basin please contact staff at the California Welcome Center.
Share this link with your guests:
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https://californiawelcomecenter.com
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Support your Chamber of Commerce
All vacation rental owners are encouraged to join their local and possibly neighboring Chambers to support local business and community
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Morongo Valley Chamber of Commerce
Twentynine Palms Chamber of Commerce
Yucca Valley Chamber of Commerce
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Joshua Tree Chamber of Commerce (currently inactive)
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San Bernardino Fire Regulations
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Here is a flyer with the general regulations for the county: https://cms.sbcounty.gov/portals/58/Documents/Programs/OutdoorFireRequirements.pdf
NOTE: ALL open fires (except for fires fueled solely by natural gas or propane) must be extinguished during Red Flag or Fire Weather Watch Conditions, when local winds exceed 10 miles per hour, or when directed by Fire Department personnel.
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Check this website regularly for Red Flag or Fire Weather Watch Conditions. Morongo Basin is in Division 5: https://www.sbcfire.org/status/burn.aspx
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LOCAL VACATION RENTAL NEWS
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Hi-Desert Star articles tagged with Vacation Home Rentals
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Z107.7 News list on Vacation Home Rentals
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Officials Are Cracking Down On Airbnbs In Joshua Tree
February 12, 2020 :: LAist.com
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Joshua Tree Airbnb regulations :: Apple Podcasts :: Stitcher player
February 11, 2020 :: Forward to 35:00 :: Take Two with A Martinez, 89.3 KPCC
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In Joshua Tree, the county is cracking down on vacation rentals, sparking a backlash
February 10, 2020 :: LA Times
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JUST UNDER 3 MILLION VISITORS TO JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK IN 2019
January 21, 2020 Z107.7 News
Short-term rentals in San Bernardino County desert need permits by end of March
By Sandra Emerson November 13, 2019
County Expands & Intensifies Short-Term Rental Rules From Mountains To The Desert
SB Sentinel Posted on November 8, 2019 by Venturi
San Bernardino County’s short-term rental rules call for permits, parking and maintenance
By Sandra Emerson November 6, 2019
Short-term rental ordinance will go to Board of Supervisors
By Jené Estrada Hi-Desert Star Sep 6, 2019
San Bernardino County rules on short-term rentals in mountains, desert move forward
By Sandra Emerson
September 5, 2019
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San Bernardino County Grapples With Short Term Rental Rules for Mountains and Desert
August 8, 2019 :: SBSun
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Short Term Rental Ordinance Draft
Mountain News - December 26, 2018
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Is this yurt allowed? Alternative rentals wait on county
By Stacy Moore Hi-Desert Star Nov 28, 2018
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How San Bernardino County will benefit when Airbnb starts taxing Lake Arrowhead, Joshua Tree users
By Brian Whitehead | San Bernardino Sun August 1, 2018
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Vacation-home rental owners must pay up for permits
Hi-Desert Star, December 15, 2017
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Yucca Valley To Institute Permit Requirement & Fees On Short Term Rentals
San Bernardino County Sentinel, December 2, 2017
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Yucca Valley gets contract company to deal with vacation home rentals
By Stacy Moore, Hi-Desert Star Nov 10, 2017
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Yucca Valley will require permits and taxes from vacation rentals
Hi-Desert Star, September 20, 2017
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YUCCA VALLEY TOWN COUNCIL APPROVES SHORT-TERM RENTAL CODE
By Z107.7 News, on September 20th, 2017
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YUCCA VALLEY TOWN COUNCIL MARATHON MEETING ON VACATION HOME RENTALS
By Z107.7 News, on July 19th, 2017
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Quiet hours and age limits: Yucca Valley drafts rules for vacation rentals
By Hi-Desert Star, May 26, 2017
How to love thy Airbnb neighbor
By Hi-Desert Star, April 28, 2017
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MORONGO BASIN MAC HEARS COUNTY PLANS TO REGULATE SHORT TERM RENTALS
By Z107.7 News, on April 11th, 2017
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COUNTY DRAFTING ORDINANCE TO REGULATE VACATION HOME RENTALS
By Z107.7 News, on April 4th, 2017
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YUCCA VALLEY TOWN COUNCIL DISCUSSES VACATION HOME RENTALS
By Z107.7 News, on March 8th, 2017
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Hipcamps pop up in Joshua Tree
By Leah Sanson Hi-Desert Star Jul 20, 2016
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(Twentynine Palms) Council says yes to vacation home rentals
Desert Trail, February 11, 2015
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