The City of Needles is located on the Colorado River and Needles is a tourism and recreation center. Short-term vacation rental platforms continue to boost the local tourism sector in Needles.

On April 26, 2022, the City Council adopted Ordinance 649-AC which established a permit procedure for purposes of short-term residential use. A short-term residential unit owner may use a permitted structure as a short-term residential rental unit only if such owner has a current valid short term residential unit permit and business license and complies with the Municipal Code.

On November 8, 2022, the residents of Needles voted for the approval of Measure N which adds to the City’s existing transient occupancy tax to operators of short-term residential units/properties. A 10% Transient Occupancy Tax charged will be charged to the bills of guests of short-term residential unit and/or property. The 10% Transient Occupancy Tax will begin to be implemented on short-term rentals on December 24, 2022, and all short-term rentals owners will be responsible for ensuring the 10% Transient Occupancy Tax is paid to the City. 

Owners and renters of short-term residential rental units shall comply with the requirements of Ordinance 649-AC and is subject to the enforcement and remedy provisions of Chapter 2A of the Municipal Code and any other applicable remedy provisions of the Municipal Code or provided under the law.

An application for Short Term Rentals can be found here. And a checklist for Property Inspection can be found here.