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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 4 - Flores PacketADMINISTRATIVE APPEALS BOARD STAFF REPORT DATE: August 13, 2025 SUBJECT: APPEAL OF THE ADMINISTATIVE CITATION A8879 AND ADMINISTRATIVE DECISION OF A TWO-YEAR SUSPENSION OF THE VACATION RENTAL REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 3112 CAMBRIDGE CT. N., PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA. BY: Department of Special Program Compliance SUMMARY An appeal of administrative citation A8879 issued in the amount of $500 and the two-year suspension of the Vacation Rental Registration Certificate #045092 for the property located at 3112 Cambridge Ct. N., Palm Springs, California. RECOMMENDATION: 1)Open the Appeal Hearing and accept public testimony. 2) Adopt Resolution No. ______, A RESOLUTION OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE APPEALS BOARD OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, ON THE APPEAL OF THE ADMINISTATIVE CITATION A8879 AND ADMINISTRATIVE DECISION OF A TWO-YEAR SUSPENSION OF THE VACATION RENTAL REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 3112 CAMBRIDGE CT. N., PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA. Background The property located at 3112 Cambridge Ct. N., Palm Springs, California is a registered Vacation Rental with Vacation Rental Registration Certificate #045092. The start date was May 2, 2024. Vacation Rental Ordinance 1918 became in effect April 2017 and later amended and restated in November 2022 with Ordinance 2075. The previous and current Vacation Rental Ordinance details rules that guests renting a Vacation Rental for a period of 28 consecutive days or less must follow; Regulations that owners must follow relating to each stay that is 28 consecutive days or less and that upon the third violation in any twelve-month period, the City Manager shall suspend the Vacation Registration Certificate for two (2) years. Item 4 - Page 1 Administrative Appeals Board Staff Report August 13, 2025-- Page 2 Vacation Rental Appeal – 3112 Cambridge Ct. N, Palm Springs Palm Springs Municipal Code (PSMC) chapter 5.25 section 070(g) states that notwithstanding the provisions of Section 11.74.043, any radio receiver, musical instrument, phonograph, loudspeaker, sound amplifier, or any machine or device for the producing or reproducing of any sound shall be conducted within a fully enclosed vacation rental unit and shall not be audible at the property line of the vacation rental. PSMC chapter 5.25 section 070(e) states that during the rental term each vacation rental unit is rented, the owner, his or her agent, and/or the local contact person designated by the owner, after being contacted by the enforcement official, shall be available 24 hours per day, seven days per week, for the purpose of: (1) responding by telephone within 15 minutes of complaints from or through the hotline; and (2) responding in-person within 30 minutes to any additional or successive complaints regarding the condition, operation, or conduct of occupants of the vacation rental. PSMC chapter 5.25 section 090(b) states that upon the third violation in any twelve-month period, the city manager shall suspend the vacation registration certificate for two years. Administrative Regulation dated August 2017, states under procedure A(3) that appeals of the third administrative citation and the suspension of the Vacation Rental Registration Certificate will be heard by the Administrative Appeals Board according to PSMC Chapter 2.50. STAFF ANALYSIS First Citation – A6738 – August 17, 2024 On August 17, 2024, the City of Palm Springs Code Compliance Division responded to a complaint received from the city’s police dispatch regarding music at the Vacation Rental property located at 3112 Cambridge Ct. N. Code Compliance Supervisor Nabhan and Code Officer Carver arrived at the property at 7:48 PM and observed music audible at the property line. Citation A6738 was issued for violation of PSMC 5.25.070(g). The officer report is included as ATTACHMENT 4. The citation was paid in full on September 16, 2024. There was no appeal requested by the person who received the citation. Findings:  Music audible at the property line of the Vacation Rental. Second Citation – A6516 – May 15, 2025 On May 15, 2025, the City of Palm Springs Code Compliance Division responded to a complaint received from the city’s Vacation Rental Hotline regarding music at the Vacation Rental property located at 3112 Cambridge Ct. N. Code Officers Guerrero and Gonzalez arrived at the property at 7:34 PM and observed music audible at the property line. Citation A6515 was issued for violation of PSMC 5.25.070(g). The officer report is included as ATTACHMENT 5. There was no appeal requested by the person who received the citation. Item 4 - Page 2 Administrative Appeals Board Staff Report August 13, 2025-- Page 3 Vacation Rental Appeal – 3112 Cambridge Ct. N, Palm Springs Findings:  Music audible at the property line of the Vacation Rental. Third Citation – A8879 – May 18, 2025 The City of Palm Springs Vacation Rental 24-Hour Hotline received a call regarding the above property on 5/15/2025 at approximately 7:24 p.m. regarding outdoor music being played. Code Compliance Officers were dispatched to investigate and arrived at the property at 7:34 p.m. Upon arrival, a violation for music beyond the property line was observed. Officers contacted the guests at the front door, who were uncooperative. At 7:50 p.m., the assigned officer attempted to reach the listed local contact, Liliana Aragon Duarte, by phone multiple times, but the line appeared to be disconnected. A second attempt to reach someone was made at 7:55 p.m. through multiple calls to the property owner, Sugey Flores, which line was also disconnected. Additionally, an email was sent to Ms. Flores on Friday, 05/16/2025, requesting a call back; however, no response was received. As a result, both the local contact and the property owner failed to respond to the Code Compliance Officer, as neither returned the call within the required fifteen minutes nor arrived at the property within thirty minutes. The citation is included as ATTACHMENT 6. Citation A8879 was issued for violation of PSMC 5.25.070(e) Findings:  The owner, agent and/or the local person designated by the owner failed to respond. Pursuant to PSMC 5.25.090(b), “Upon the third violation in any twelve-month period, the City Manager shall suspend the Vacation Registration Certificate for two (2) years”. Pursuant to Administrative Regulation dated 8/2017, appeals of the third administrative citation and the suspension of the Vacation Rental Registration Certificate will be heard by the Administrative Appeals Board according to PSMC Chapter 2.50. Based on the three (3) administrative citations issued in a twelve-month period, the Vacation Rental Certificate was suspended for a period of two-years for the period June 23, 2025, through June23, 2027. ATTACHMENT 7. The table below shows citations issued as of August 6, 2025. DATE OF VIOLATION CITATION  NUMBER  VIOLATION PSMC  8/17/24 A6738 Music Audible at Property Line 5.25.070(g)  5/15/25 A6516 Music Audible at Property Line 5.25.070(g)  5/18/25 A8879 Failure to Respond 5.25.070(e)  6/7/25 A8883 Music Audible at Property Line 5.25.070(g)  7/4/25 A8888 Music Audible at Property Line 5.25.070(g)  7/4/25 AB0774 Operating w/out certificate 5.25.040(a)  Item 4 - Page 3 Administrative Appeals Board Staff Report August 13, 2025-- Page 4 Vacation Rental Appeal – 3112 Cambridge Ct. N, Palm Springs Additional Citations Three citations have been issued after the third citation A8879 issued on May 18, 2025.  Citation A8883 – Music audible at the property line, violation of 5.25.070(g) ATTACHMENT 8  Citation A8888 – Music audible at the property line, violation of 5.25.070(g) ATTACHMENT 9  Citation AB0774 – Operating without a certificate, violation of 5.25.040(a) ATTACHEMENT 10 The following Palm Springs Municipal Code sections and Regulations are applicable to this matter. The Palm Springs Municipal Code, Vacation Rentals §5.25.070 – Operational Requirements and Standard Conditions: (g) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 11.74.043, any radio receiver, musical instrument, phonograph, loudspeaker, sound amplifier, or any machine or device for the producing or reproducing of any sound shall be conducted within a fully enclosed vacation rental unit and shall not be audible at the property line of the vacation rental. (e) “During the rental term each vacation rental unit is rented, the owner, his or her agent, and/or the local contact person designated by the owner, after being contacted by the enforcement official, shall be available 24 hours per day, seven days per week, for the purpose of: (1) responding by telephone within 15 minutes of complaints from or through the hotline; and (2) responding in-person within 30 minutes to any additional or successive complaints regarding the condition, operation, or conduct of occupants of the vacation rental”. The Palm Springs Municipal Code §5.25.090 – Violations (b) “Upon the third violation in any twelve-month period, the City Manager shall suspend the Vacation Registration Certificate for two (2) years”. ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATION “Violation Count for Purposes of Suspending a Vacation Rental Certificate”- Effective 8/2017 Procedure: A. Section 5.25.090(b) specifies, “Upon the third violation in any twelve (12) month period, the City Manager shall suspend the Vacation Rental Item 4 - Page 4 Administrative Appeals Board Staff Report August 13, 2025-- Page 5 Vacation Rental Appeal – 3112 Cambridge Ct. N, Palm Springs Certificate for two (2) years.” Following is a clarification of how violations are counted. 1. Administrative citations for violations of Chapter 5.25 issued to the Vacation Rental guest, Owner, or Owner’s agent prior to April 16, 2017, will count towards the calculation of the three (3) violations in any twelve (12) month 0period for suspending the Vacation Rental Certificate for such property in accordance with Section 5.25.090(b). 2. There will be no suspension unless at least one (1) violation occurs under new Ordinance No. 1918. 3. Appeals of the third administrative citation and the suspension of the Vacation Rental Registration Certificate will be heard by the Administrative Appeals Board according to PSMC Chapter 2.50. Administrative Regulation “Authority for the Issuance of Administrative Citations” dated 08/2017 reads as follows: “Vacation Rental Enforcement Officials are hereby authorized to issue, an Administrative Citation for the violation of the provision of Chapter 5.25 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code without first complying with the pre-citation or courtesy notice requirements contained in PSMC Section 1.06.030.” Patrick Clifford Assistant Director Department of Special Program Compliance Attachments: Resolution no. _____ 1 Notice of Appeal Hearing 2 Administrative Citation Appeal Letter 3 Administrative Citation A6738 and officer report 4 Administrative Citation A6516 and officer report 5 Administrative Citation A8879 6 Suspension Letter 7 Administrative Citation A8883 and officer report 8 Administrative Citation A8888 and officer report 9 Administrative Citation AB0774 10 Item 4 - Page 5                     ATTACHMENT 1  Item 4 - Page 6 RESOLUTION NO. ___ A RESOLUTION OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE APPEALS BOARD OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, ON THE APPEAL OF THE ADMINISTATIVE CITATION A8879 AND ADMINISTRATIVE DECISION OF A TWO-YEAR SUSPENSION OF THE VACATION RENTAL REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 3112 CAMBRIDGE CT. N., PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA. Jurisdiction: This administrative hearing is conducted in accordance with Palm Springs Municipal Code 2.50 which confers jurisdiction upon the Administrative Appeals Board. WHEREAS the City investigated a complaint and found the property 3112 Cambridge Ct. N, Palm Springs, California to be in violation pursuant to Section 5.25.070(g) on August 17, 2024, and issued administrative citation A6738; and WHEREAS the City investigated a complaint and found the property 3112 Cambridge Ct. N, Palm Springs, California to be in violation pursuant to Section 5.25.070(g) on May 15, 2025, and issued administrative citation A6516; and WHEREAS The owner, agent, and/or the local contact designated by the owner failed to respond to the enforcement official regarding a complaint investigated on May 15, 2025, by the City concerning the property located at 3112 Cambridge Ct. N, Palm Springs, California. WHEREAS Following the investigation conducted on May 15, 2025, the owner was found to be in violation of Section 5.25.070(e) on May 18, 2025, and was issued administrative citation A8879.; and WHEREAS, upon the third violation in any twelve-month period, the City Manager shall suspend the Vacation Registration Certificate for two (2) years; and WHEREAS, Sugey Flores, for the property located at 3112 Cambridge Ct. N., Palm Springs, California filed an administrative appeal of administrative citation A8879 and the administrative decision of a two-year suspension of the Vacation Rental Registration Certificate with the City Clerk and paid the appeal fee; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Administrative Regulation dated 8/2017, appeals of the third administrative citation and the suspension of the Vacation Rental Registration Certificate will be heard by the Administrative Appeals Board according to PSMC Chapter 2.50 WHEREAS the Administrative Appeals Board opened and conducted a duly noticed Administrative Appeal Hearing on August 13, 2025; and Item 4 - Page 7 Resolution ____ Page 2 WHEREAS, the Administrative Appeals Board was presented evidence that Sugey Flores, owner of the property located at 3112 Cambridge Ct. N, Palm Springs, is in violation pursuant to Section 5.25.090 (b) of the Palm Springs Municipal Code; and WHEREAS, the Administrative Appeals Board has carefully reviewed and considered all the evidence presented in connection with said appeal on August 13, 2025. THE ADMINISTRATIVE APPEALS BOARD HEREBY FINDS, after due consideration given to the relevancy, weight and credibility of testimony and evidence, and based upon a preponderance of the evidence in accordance with the Board’s procedures, as follows: SECTION 1. The Appellant is in violation of Palm Springs Municipal Code 5.25.090(b). The Administrative Appeals Board upholds administrative citation A8879 and the administrative decision of a two-year suspension of the Vacation Rental Registration Certificate for the property located at 3112 Cambridge Ct. N, Palm Springs, California The Appellant is not in violation of Palm Springs Municipal Code 5.25.090(b). The Administrative Appeals Board overturns administrative citation A8879 and the administrative decision of a two-year suspension of the Vacation Rental Registration Certificate for the property located at 3112 Cambridge Ct. N, Palm Springs, California THIS PORTION OF PAGE BLANK Item 4 - Page 8 Resolution ____ Page 3 SECTION 2. The Administrative Appeals Board directs the City Clerk to deliver a copy of this Resolution to each party and to file a disposition report with the Palm Springs City Council. PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED BY THE PALM SPRINGS ADMINISTRATIVE APPEALS BOARD THIS DAY OF 2025. Patrick Basille Chair ATTEST: Brenda Pree, MMC, CERA City Clerk STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss. CITY OF PALM SPRINGS ) I, BRENDA PREE, City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, do hereby certify that Resolution No.______ is a full, true, and correct copy, and was duly adopted at a meeting of the Administrative Appeals Board of the City of Palm Springs on the day of , by the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: RECUSE: IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the City of Palm Springs, California, this day of . Brenda Pree, MMC, CERA City Clerk Item 4 - Page 9                     ATTACHMENT 2  Item 4 - Page 10 Item 4 - Page 11                     ATTACHMENT 3  Item 4 - Page 12 Item 4 - Page 13 Item 4 - Page 14 Item 4 - Page 15 Item 4 - Page 16 Item 4 - Page 17 Item 4 - Page 18 Item 4 - Page 19 Item 4 - Page 20 Item 4 - Page 21 Item 4 - Page 22 Item 4 - Page 23 Item 4 - Page 24 Item 4 - Page 25 Item 4 - Page 26 Item 4 - Page 27 Item 4 - Page 28           City of Palm Springs            FINANCE DEPARTMENT               PO Box 2743       Palm Springs, CA 92263-2743            +1 (760) 323-8299           Like No Place Else! 06/30/2025 03:54PM Finance T 004848-0007 MISCELLANEOUS   OTHER CHARGE CURRENT   SVC (OTHCHG)   2025    Item: OTHCHG    1 @ $911.0000   Balance unpaid: -$911.00     OTHER CHARGE CURRENT     SVC (OTHCHG)                $911.00                           --------------                                  $911.00  Subtotal                        $911.00  Total                           $911.00  CHECK                           $911.00    Check Number 1050815132                          --------------  Change due                        $0.00  Paid by: SUGEY FLORES | ADMIN CITE APPEAL FEE - A8953        Thank you for your payment        City of Palm Springs COPY            DUPLICATE RECEIPT Item 4 - Page 29                     ATTACHMENT 4  Item 4 - Page 30 Item 4 - Page 31 Item 4 - Page 32 Item 4 - Page 33 Item 4 - Page 34 Item 4 - Page 35 Item 4 - Page 36 Item 4 - Page 37 Item 4 - Page 38 Item 4 - Page 39 Item 4 - Page 40                     ATTACHMENT 5  Item 4 - Page 41 Item 4 - Page 42 Item 4 - Page 43 Item 4 - Page 44 Item 4 - Page 45 Item 4 - Page 46 Item 4 - Page 47 Item 4 - Page 48 Item 4 - Page 49 Item 4 - Page 50 Item 4 - Page 51 Item 4 - Page 52                     ATTACHMENT 6  Item 4 - Page 53 Item 4 - Page 54 Item 4 - Page 55                     ATTACHMENT 7  Item 4 - Page 56 City of Palm Springs Department of Special Program Compliance 425 North Civic Drive • Palm Springs, California 92262 Tel; 760.322-8382 • Fax: 760,322.8317 • TDD 760.864.9527 • www.palmspringsca.gov May 29, 2025 Sugey Flores Re: Suspension of Short�Term Vacation Rental Certificate# 045092 for 3112 Cambridge Ct., N., Palm Springs, CA 92264 Upon review of the recent activity at your Vacation Rental property at 3112 Cambridge Ct., N., Palm Springs, the City of Palm Springs is suspending your Vacation Rental Registration Certificate for a period of two (2) years. In order to minimize the negative impact on the near-term guests visiting our city who may be currently booked at your property, the suspension period will begin on June 23. 2025, and will end on June 23. 2027. All advertising of your property for short-term renting must cease immediately. During the suspension period, your property may not be rented for shorMerm stays (28 days or less) but you may rent your property as a long-term rental. This suspension is being made in accordance with the City of Palm Springs Municipal Code Section S.25.090(b) as follows: "Upon the third violation in any twelve month period, the City Manager shall suspend the Vocation Registration Certificate for two (2) years." During the last 12 months, the following citations have been issued to the property. (Copies are attached): DATE OF VIOLATION CITATION VIOLATION NUMBER 8/17/24 A6738 Music Audible at Property Line 5/15/25 A6516 Music Audible at Property Line 5/18/25 A8879 Failure to Respond PSMC S.25.070(g} 5.25.070(g) 5.25.070(e) During your suspension, Transient Occupancy Tax returns and annual renewal fees will still be due unless you choose to complete and submit the enclosed Owner's Request to Close TOT Permit and Vacation Rental Certificate form. Post Office Box 2743 • Palm Springs, California 92263-2743 Item 4 - Page 57 You have the right to appeal this suspension pursuant to Palm Springs Municipal Code, Section 5.25,090(f), and pursuant to Administrative Regulation dated 8/2017 (copy attached), your appeal will be heard by the Administrative Appeals Board in accordance with Palm Springs Municipal Code, Chapter 2.50. Any appeal of the third Administrative Citation A8953 must be addressed at this Administrative Appeals Board hearing pursuant to the Administrative Regulation. Please also see the attached Written Notice of Appeal Form and Filing Process information; or feel free to contact the Department of Special Program Compliance at #760-322-8382 with questions. Should you choose to appeal this suspension, your suspension does go into effect on June 23, 2025, in accordance with this letter, and it remains in effect pending the outcome of the Administrative Appeals Board hearing. Advertising or operating as a vacation rental prior to the determination of the Administrative Appeals Board is a violation of PSMC Section S.2S.090(c). To exercise your option to appeal, your completed Written Notice of Appeal Form with the non-refundable appeal fee of $911.00 must be received by the City Clerk's office no later than June 19, 2025, and should be addressed to: Respectfully, Scott Stiles City Manager cc: File; City of Palm Springs Office of the City Clerk 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92263 Item 4 - Page 58 ATTACHMENT 8  Item 4 - Page 59 Item 4 - Page 60 Item 4 - Page 61 Item 4 - Page 62 Item 4 - Page 63 Item 4 - Page 64 Item 4 - Page 65 Item 4 - Page 66 Item 4 - Page 67 Item 4 - Page 68 Item 4 - Page 69 ATTACHMENT 9  Item 4 - Page 70 Item 4 - Page 71 Item 4 - Page 72 Item 4 - Page 73 Item 4 - Page 74 Item 4 - Page 75 Item 4 - Page 76 Item 4 - Page 77 Item 4 - Page 78 Item 4 - Page 79 Item 4 - Page 80 Item 4 - Page 81 ATTACHMENT 10  Item 4 - Page 82 Item 4 - Page 83 Item 4 - Page 84 Item 4 - Page 85 Item 4 - Page 86 Item 4 - Page 87 Item 4 - Page 88 Item 4 - Page 89 Item 4 - Page 90 Item 4 - Page 91 Item 4 - Page 92 Item 4 - Page 93 Item 4 - Page 94 Item 4 - Page 95 Item 4 - Page 96 Item 4 - Page 97 Item 4 - Page 98