How Digital Inspections Strengthen Short-Term Rental Safety and Compliance

Across the United States, more jurisdictions are adding inspection requirements to their short-term rental (STR) licensing programs. These inspections play a critical role in ensuring STR properties operate safely, responsibly, and in alignment with local regulations. By verifying essentials such as functioning smoke detectors, accessible fire extinguishers, and basic safety standards, communities can better protect both guests and neighboring residents.

However, while inspection requirements are increasing, the tools many agencies rely on have not kept pace. Paper forms, shared spreadsheets, and manual data entry make it difficult to track inspections, communicate results, and maintain accurate records over time. This complexity multiplies quickly as STR programs scale.

Many code enforcement officers are also inheriting more responsibilities as STR programs expand, often without additional staff or resources. Rentalscape is designed to support them by reducing administrative burden and giving them a more efficient way to conduct and manage inspections.

That is where Rentalscape’s web-based inspection portal is transforming the process.

Digital Inspections for a Modern STR Compliance Program

See how Rentalscape’s digital inspection portal works in practice in the short demo below.

Rentalscape empowers code enforcement teams to complete inspections directly in the field using any tablet, phone, or laptop. Instead of juggling paperwork, inspectors access a customized digital form built specifically for the jurisdiction’s requirements.

Each form:

• Captures the exact information the agency needs
  
  
• Records pass/fail results for every inspection item
  
  
• Automatically stores findings on the property’s profile within Rentalscape
  
  
• Sends immediate email notifications to the STR operator with results and next steps
  
  

This level of automation eliminates administrative bottlenecks and ensures property owners receive timely and accurate communication. Photos can also be uploaded directly into the inspection record, creating a complete and verifiable digital file for every property.

By linking each inspection to an exact address and parcel number, Rentalscape maintains an organized and transparent history that supports long-term compliance management.

Partnering with Cathedral City, CA to Shape the Future of STR Inspections

Cathedral City, CA, a longtime Rentalscape partner, is among the jurisdictions leading the transition to digital inspections. Their team has played a key role in shaping the product to ensure it meets the practical needs of enforcement officers and supports the City's ongoing commitment to transparency and effective compliance.

Located in the Coachella Valley region of Southern California, Cathedral City is part of the greater Palm Springs area. The city is known for its year-round tourism, growing residential base, and mix of short- and long-term housing. With a significant number of vacation rentals alongside permanent residents, Cathedral City represents a complex regulatory environment that benefits from clear oversight and scalable enforcement tools.

The Analyst for Cathedral City, shared:

“There’s a digital record of everything that we’re doing, and it’s just more transparent. We have all of that here, but the goal, of course, is to be fully transparent with the public, for them to always be aware of what we’re doing so that there is no worry, no questions that are unanswered as to what our procedure is.”

By bringing inspections into the digital environment, Cathedral City is not only improving efficiency, they are future proofing their STR program. Digital tools enable better oversight, clearer communication, and a level of transparency that builds trust between the city, STR operators, and the community.

Future Ready Compliance Through Digital Transformation

Rentalscape’s inspection portal is more than a convenience, it is a fundamental shift in how jurisdictions manage STR oversight. By integrating inspection data directly into the larger Rentalscape ecosystem, agencies gain a scalable, organized, and accessible compliance framework.

With accurate digital records, enforced safety standards, and clear communication channels, communities can:

• Strengthen public safety
  
  
• Reduce administrative workload
  
  
• Improve transparency and public trust
  
  
• Support sustainable growth of their STR programs
  
  

As the STR landscape continues to evolve, digital inspections will become an essential part of maintaining safe, compliant, and community aligned rental operations. And with Rentalscape, jurisdictions have a powerful partner ready to help lead that transition.