Short Term Rental
Management

Surge offers local full service vacation rental management for busy vacation rental owners and Airbnb hosts in Palm Springs, California

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Palm Springs, California Short Term Rental Overview

Airbnb Market
Palm Springs presents an exceptional short-term rental investment opportunity driven by its year-round tourism demand, with occupancy rates consistently exceeding 75% and average daily rates ranging from $200-400 depending on property type and season. The city's strategic positioning as a desert resort destination attracts high-spending visitors seeking luxury accommodations, particularly during peak winter months when northern markets experience harsh weather, creating a reliable revenue stream that can generate 15-25% higher returns compared to traditional long-term rentals. Property owners benefit from Palm Springs' limited hotel inventory relative to demand, allowing well-positioned Airbnb properties to command premium pricing while maintaining strong booking velocity throughout the calendar year. The market's resilience is further strengthened by diverse visitor segments including corporate retreats, wedding parties, festival attendees, and leisure travelers, which reduces seasonal volatility and creates multiple revenue optimization opportunities through dynamic pricing strategies that can maximize annual gross rental yields to 8-12% of property value.
Short Term Rental Regulations
Palm Springs has implemented strict short-term rental regulations that require property owners to obtain proper permits, comply with zoning restrictions, pay transient occupancy taxes, and adhere to specific operational requirements including noise ordinances, parking limitations, and guest capacity restrictions—violations can result in hefty fines, legal action, and the revocation of rental privileges that could cost you thousands in lost revenue and legal fees. The city's regulations are constantly evolving, with frequent updates to permit requirements, tax rates, and compliance standards that can be overwhelming to navigate as an individual property owner, especially when you consider the complex interplay between municipal codes, HOA restrictions, and state laws. However, when you partner with a professional short-term rental management service, you can rest assured that all licensing requirements, permit renewals, tax filings, and legal compliance issues are handled expertly on your behalf, allowing you to enjoy the income from your investment property without the stress and risk of inadvertent violations that could jeopardize your rental business.
Occupancy Rates
Palm Springs experiences distinct seasonal patterns with peak occupancy rates typically occurring during the winter months from November through April, when visitors escape colder climates to enjoy the desert's warm, dry weather, with December through March representing the highest demand period. The shoulder seasons of May and October offer moderate occupancy rates as temperatures remain pleasant, while the summer months from June through September see significantly lower occupancy due to extreme heat that can exceed 110°F, creating the most challenging period for maintaining bookings. Professional revenue management becomes crucial during these fluctuations, requiring dynamic pricing strategies that maximize rates during peak winter demand while offering competitive pricing during the slower summer months to attract heat-tolerant guests and longer-term stays. Successful Airbnb operators in Palm Springs must implement sophisticated pricing algorithms that account for local events like Coachella, Desert Trip, and various film festivals, while also adjusting rates based on real-time market conditions, competitor pricing, and seasonal demand patterns to optimize revenue throughout the year and prevent extended vacancy periods during the traditionally slow summer season.
Vacation Rental Management
Managing a vacation rental in Palm Springs presents unique operational challenges that can quickly overwhelm property owners and damage their investment returns. The desert climate creates constant maintenance demands, from HVAC systems working overtime against 120°F summer heat to pool equipment requiring frequent servicing and landscaping struggling against harsh sun and occasional sandstorms. Guest turnover in this market is relentless, with same-day bookings common and travelers expecting immediate responses to inquiries at all hours, often from different time zones, making 24/7 communication management exhausting for individual owners. The competitive Palm Springs market means guests have high expectations for luxury amenities and flawless experiences, where a single maintenance issue like a broken air conditioner, dirty pool, or unresponsive host can result in devastating reviews that tank your property's ranking on booking platforms. Coordinating cleaning crews, maintenance technicians, and guest communications while managing pricing optimization and marketing across multiple platforms becomes a full-time job that most property owners cannot sustain while maintaining the consistent 5-star service standards necessary for premium rates and repeat bookings. Full-service property management transforms these overwhelming operational burdens into truly passive income by providing professional systems, local expertise, and round-the-clock support that protects your reputation and maximizes revenue in this demanding but lucrative market.
Attractions and Amenities
Palm Springs attracts visitors primarily to four major draws: the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway that ascends to Mount San Jacinto State Park, the vibrant downtown district centered around Palm Canyon Drive with its mid-century modern architecture and shopping, the numerous world-class golf courses including PGA West and Indian Wells Golf Resort, and the natural desert hot springs and spas throughout the Coachella Valley. To maximize revenue from guests visiting these attractions, properties must offer specific amenities including early morning shuttle service or convenient parking for tramway visitors, poolside relaxation areas and outdoor entertainment spaces for guests exploring the walkable downtown scene, golf club storage and cleaning facilities plus early tee-time breakfast options for golf enthusiasts, and most critically, resort-style pools, hot tubs, and spa-like bathrooms that complement the desert wellness experience that draws many visitors to the area's natural hot springs and luxury spas.

Why choose Surge?

Surge is local Airbnb management that’s reliable, affordable and the best for your property.
Cost
Guest communications
Host Communications
Insurance
Contract
Cost
Starting at 15% fee
Guest communications
Guest response within 10 minutes, 24 hours a day
Host Communications
Designated host call in phone line
Insurance
Full damage protection for every reservation
Contract
No annual agreements
Other Property Mangers
Cost
25-40% fee
Guest communications
Sporadic guest communications
Host Communications
Bot response assistants
Insurance
Unreliable insurance coverage
Contract
Contract lock-ins

Understand Your STR Income

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Surge is geared towards maximizing potential

Be at ease with the knowledge that your vacation rental is being optimized to its fullest potential.
30%
In gross revenue
150 M
Potential guests
4.9
Superhost status
7+
Booking platforms
1
Property manager
The house was great. It accommodated our large group nicely. The owner was responsive and checked in on us throughout the trip. The gate around the home added privacy and security. The beds were comfortable as well. Extra linen, towels and washcloths. We are looking to book this home in the future!
Airbnb Guest Hosted by Surge
Head of Design, Layers
We really appreciated Surge. He was responsive, attentive, and went above to make sure our stay was seamless. You can tell he takes pride in providing a clean/organized place. Everyone loved the pool table and shuffleboard. This place is also very close to great restaurants. The place we went to had the best catfish. Would definitely rent from Surge again!!
Airbnb Guest Hosted by Surge
Head of Design, Layers
Our group really enjoyed our long weekend stay here! The property was very clean and spacious but also provided some privacy to accommodate our large family. Surge was responsive when we reached out to them and also accommodated an early check-in. We felt secure given that the property was gated and had smart locks on both entry doors. We strongly recommend this property and would love to stay here again!
Airbnb Guest Hosted by Surge
Head of Design, Layers
My family and I were here for my daughter’s graduation from UofH. Surge was very upfront, kept us informed and accommodating. The place was clean and fit my entire family comfortably. We have already made plans to come back. Great location, private and safe environment. Would highly recommend! Thank you Surge for making this stay memorable and stress free for our family!
Airbnb Guest Hosted by Surge
Head of Design, Layers
Great stay that accommodated all our needs for a successful for trip to Houston, i hope to Book in the coming future.
Airbnb Guest Hosted by Surge
Head of Design, Layers
The host was great, he responded quickly when needed and checked in on us from time to time throughout the whole day. He was awesome and the place was great for my family of 16. Definitely will book with him in the future.
Airbnb Guest Hosted by Surge
Head of Design, Layers

Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know about the product and billing.
Does Surge Property Management allow pets in its short term rentals?
Surge Property Management leaves that decision to the property owner. While allowing pets can be a big perk for some guests, Surge does not have any requirements for the property owner to allow it. Service animals are a different case. Surge is prohibited to refuse a reservation, charge pet fees, hold guests to different rules, apply differential treatment or use discriminatory language if a guest is accompanied by a service animal. A guests service animal must not be out of control, un-housebroken, left alone at the listing without prior approval, allowed into areas that are considered unauthorized by the guest and allowed in a public space without being harnessed, leashed, or tethered and not under the guests control.
Do I get access to an owner portal?
Surge Property Management has a tech leading owner portal to keep its property owners in the loop, instead of on the outside looking in. In the owner portal you can reserve days for personal use, see pending reservations, nightly pricing rates, owner statements, expense receipts, guest messaging and more!
Do you screen the guests that are staying in my property?
Our intelligent Guest Screening technology allows us to screen vacation rental guests before they enter your property, making it easier to keep bad guests out. We proactively assess the risk posed by each guest, through legal, non-discriminatory checks. Guests will be asked to submit some personal details including their name, date of birth, physical home address and contact details. We then verify by having the guest take a live selfie and submit a photo of their ID(either a drivers license or passport). This information will then be processed to determine the true identity of your guest, including whether the ID is fraudulent and if the provided details match those on the ID. This process will generate a risk report for us to review before the guest arrives.
Do you provide insurance for guest damages?
We partner with the premier provider of short term rental protection also offering guest screening and comprehensive insurance coverage. Our partner brings confidence and peace of mind to both Surge Property Management and its clients(homeowners). Our third party partner has protected over 60 billion in homeowner liability coverage and 1 million guest nights. Ask your Surge sales representative for more details.
What happens if there is guest damage to my property?
Each guest is required to make a $500 security deposit. Any damage above $500 we are able to document, submit, and follow a claim through on your behalf with our short term rental insurance partner covering up to $5,000,000.
How does Surge compare to a national provider like Vacasa?
While both Surge and Vacasa both have a full service model designed to be hands off from the property owner, Surge stands out above the rest by being more intentional and selective with the properties we decide to accept into our management portfolio. This allows us to give the required attention to the properties we manage instead of just "setting it and forgetting it" like the other property managers do. Once you go onboard with them you just become another number.
Does Surge handle the maintenance of the vacation rental?
Yes, Surge is able to handle any property maintenance(including hot tub & pool) for your property. We have a large network of service providers, additionally, if you have a preferred vendor we can assign and coordinate maintenance with them as well.
What services does Surge Property Management offer?

Surge is a full-service property manager and provides the following service to property owners:

  • Listing creating and management across multiple channels
  • Calendar management
  • Cleaning
  • Laundry
  • Restocking
  • Maintenance
  • Dynamic Pricing
  • Lock automation
  • Guest Portal
  • Owners Portal
  • Listing optimization
  • Photography
  • 24/7 guest communication
  • Check-in/out support
  • and more!
Is Surge Property Management a Superhost on Airbnb?
Yes, Surge Property Management is a Superhost on AirBNB. Airbnb defines a Superhost as a Host who goes above and beyond to provide excellent hospitality. Guests can easily identify a Superhost from the badge that appears on their Airbnb listing and profile. Superhosts have more visibility and earning potential.
How and when do I get paid?
Surge Property Management initiates ACH payment to its property owners once a month by the 10th day of the next month. Along with the ACH deposit sent to you, you also receive a highly detailed statement for review.
Are there any hidden fees?
Surge Property Management has the most transparent pricing in the industry. Our property owners are our Partners in business which is why we hold transparency at a very high standard. With your monthly statements you will be able to trace every dollar from when the guest paid for their reservation to when it was deposited into your bank account. Contact your Surge sales rep for a personal walk through of our statement structure.
Can I still use my property?
Yes of course. The biggest perk of a vacation rental is still retaining personal use of the property for your personal use. Inside of our Owner’s Portal you can reserve days for personal use.
How do you market my property?

We list your property on the major platforms like Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com, Google Vacation rentals and more! We also allow direct bookings very popular among returning guests. Our integration technology is second to none and was awarded the following:

  • Airbnb Preferred + Software Partner
  • VRBO Elite Partner
  • Booking.com Premier Connectivity Partner
How do you handle complaints or disputes?
We aim to resolve issues quickly and fairly, protecting both the guests and the property owner’s interests. We mediate disputes and ensure a smooth resolution process.
How do I get started with your service?
Contact us to schedule a consultation. We'll discuss your property, our services, and how we can help you achieve your rental goals.
How do you handle waste management?
We coordinate with local services to ensure proper waste disposal and recycling, maintaining cleanliness and environmental responsibility.
What safety measures do you implement?
We ensure the property has functional smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, and complies with all local safety regulations.
What does Surge’s full service property management mean?
Surge's comprehensive property management service allows property owners to be completely hands-off with the daily operations of their Airbnb properties. Surge takes care of all the daily tasks, including listings, guest interactions, cleanings, restocking, and maintenance, ensuring a stress-free experience for the property owner.

Still have questions?

Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Please chat to our friendly team.
Get in touch
(713) 853-9573