Current permit-cap status, minimum-stay requirements, owner-occupancy rules, and jurisdiction breakdown for short-term rentals in Joshua Tree. Every field is cited to a primary source below. Always verify the specific parcel with the operating jurisdiction before writing an offer.
Joshua Tree sits in unincorporated San Bernardino County, which limits STRs to one per parcel under two acres and two permits per person county-wide.
Have a specific property in mind? Analyze it with a $99 report →Joshua Tree STRs are governed by San Bernardino County Code Chapter 84.28 and only allowed in the county's Mountain and Desert Regions. Occupancy is 4 guests for a studio/1BR plus 2 per additional bedroom, capped at 12 total. The 1-STR-per-parcel-under-2-acres rule combined with the 2-STR-per-person county-wide cap effectively closes off portfolio buildouts. New-application fee is $1,144 (effective July 1, 2025) with $550 annual renewal. Buyers should confirm the parcel already holds an active STR permit before writing an offer; transferability rules and any 45-day pauses since the 2022 interim urgency ordinance should be re-verified at closing.
Short-term rentals in Joshua Tree are classified as restricted as of 2026-08-16. Joshua Tree sits in unincorporated San Bernardino County, which limits STRs to one per parcel under two acres and two permits per person county-wide.
Yes. Per Chapter 84.28 amendments: max 1 STR permit on parcels under 2 acres, 2 STR permits on parcels 2+ acres, and no individual/entity may hold more than 2 STR permits county-wide.
The primary source does not specify a minimum stay for short-term rentals.
Joshua Tree does not require owner-occupancy for short-term rental operators as of 2026-08-16. Verify the specific parcel with the operating jurisdiction before offering, as owner-occupancy rules interact with zoning overlays.
Contact the operating jurisdiction directly using the primary-source links published on this page. Zoning, HOA restrictions, and pending regulatory changes are parcel-specific and can override the citywide profile above. DepreciMax's $99 property report separately sizes the Year-1 §168(k) bonus depreciation deduction for a specific address, once regulatory clearance is confirmed.
Once you've verified the regulatory profile of a listing you're considering, run a $99 DepreciMax property report to size the actual Year-1 §168(k) bonus depreciation deduction. The report analyzes the listing photos to classify finishes as 5-year personal property, 15-year land improvements, or 39-year structural — producing a line-item estimate closely calibrated to a formal cost seg study.
Use the DepreciMax STR Regulations Database for the full top-50 market fleet — every market cited to a primary jurisdiction source, updated quarterly.
Not legal or tax advice. Short-term rental regulations change frequently and vary by parcel, zone, and HOA. The information on this page is a summary of publicly available primary sources as of 2026-08-16. Before acting — buying, listing, or operating a short-term rental in Joshua Tree — verify current rules with the operating jurisdiction and consult a local attorney and CPA.