29 Palms Airbnb / waiting for STR permit

[Manny Sanchez]

Hello. 

I have a home in 29 Palms in a very remote dirt road location.  Only one neighbor about 300 feet away.  We live on the property most of the year but travel overseas to visit family a few months a year. (summer months)  We listed our home on airbnb to make extra income while away...without a permit and when we returned after 2 months away...we found we had 2500 dollars worth of fines waiting for us.  We unlisted the home immediately to avoid further fines and started the permit process.. our fees for the permit included an extra 461.00 for Surrounding Property Owner Notification.  I only have neighbor...does anyone know what this fee is?  I've called the county many times and always get different answers.  So confused.  Also,  is an inspection done for inside the home too? . We are thinking maybe since we live in the desert most of the year...listing the house for monthly stays instead...will we need a permit for this as well?