3rd District Supe Chuck Washington Has Ideas For Thousand Palms's House Party Problems

TEMECULA, CA — Short-term rentals don't have to be party houses, Third District Supervisor Chuck Washington said in a recent interview.

Short-term rentals are defined as residential dwellings leased for a maximum of 30 days and a minimum of two days and one night. In Southwest Riverside County, the challenge of "house parties" at short-term rentals was possible to resolve, according to Washington who appeared on the Roggin Report on Palm Springs NBC, Washington offered suggestions for improving the situation.

When short-term rentals turn into party houses, they disrupt neighbors and neighborhoods, according to Washington. He worked to fund code enforcement and sheriff's responses, improving the quality of life in Temecula Valley Wine Country while keeping many of the short-term rentals.

According to Roggin, that problem exists in Coachella Valley spades, specifically Thousand Palms.

Washington said the two areas have much in common, with a large tourism base regarding tourism. The Temecula-area short-term rentals became "unruly after dark" and created a nuisance for neighbors. At budget time, he said they worked to increase the funds available for code enforcement and law enforcement rapid response.

Washington was pivotal in stemming the Temecula Valley short-term rental issues, Roggin said.

"We authorized funding for code enforcement and other practices in wine country," he told Fred Roggin. Those calls often come in after 2 a.m. when the wild rumpus is well underway.

"Neighbors can't sleep; it's ruining their lives. That's when we needed a sheriff's deputy to get out there and respond right away," Washington said.

His initial vision "didn't work exactly," but now things are "working pretty well."

Thousand Palms falls under the supervision of Supervisor V. Manuel Perez, who has been working on issues like this with Washington over the years. Washington promised to speak with Perez, and "I've had numerous conversations with Mr. Perez. I'll have that conversation with him" and push for action to protect these neighborhoods, he said.

Roggin says no one is listening, and the issue is "not on anyone's radar."

Temecula has seen proven success. "If there is no enforcement," changes will never happen, Washington said.

"Party houses ruin neighborhoods," Washington said. "When you rent a short-term rental, it's still a house first, and the residents in that neighborhood deserve peace. Their rights come first."

Patch has contacted Supervisor V. Manuel Perez for a comment and will update you when it is received.

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Temecula Wine Country, Idyllwild Vacation Rental Rules 'Not Working'