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Palm Springs freezes some vacation rentals
PALM SPRINGS, CA - APRIL 09: Models Georgina Burke (L) and Philomena Kwao swim at the TORRID #OwnIt Pool Party at The Commune Ace Hotel Palm Springs on April 9, 2016 in Palm Springs, California. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for TORRID)
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The Palm Springs City Council vote Wednesday night to place a temporary freeze on allowing apartment buildings with five or more units to become vacation rentals.
The Desert Sun reports that since 2009, the city has seen a 94 percent increase in the number of certified vacation rental properties.
James Thompson with the City Clerk's Office in Palm Springs says that limits the number of housing units used for residents. But he acknowledged the city's role as a vacation getaway.
"The city of Palm Springs is a tourist town," Thompson said. "We don't have industry here, we don't have manufacturing here, we don't have a lot of other things that a traditional city would. We're in the business of selling lifestyle and a brand."
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The moratorium will stay in place until November 30th. It does not apply to single-family home rentals.
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