Many jurisdictions have laws and regulations against non-owners providing short term rentals.

As with all local jurisdiction regulations, this can be all over the map. 

I checked both California and Los Angeles regulations and can't find it.

IN DETERMINING WHETHER ALL OR PART OF THE RENT DUE AND OWING IS THE RESULT OF AN UNCONSCIONABLE RENT INCREASE, IT SHALL BE A REBUTTABLE PRESUMPTION THAT THE RENT FOR A DWELLING NOT PROTECTED BY RENT REGULATION IS UNCONSCIONABLE IF SAID RENT HAS BEEN INCREASED IN ANY CALENDAR YEAR BY A PERCENTAGE EXCEEDING ONE AND ONE-HALF TIMES THE ANNUAL PERCENTAGE CHANGE IN THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR THE REGION IN WHICH THE HOUSING ACCOMMODATION IS LOCATED, AS ESTABLISHED THE AUGUST PRECEDING THE CALENDAR YEAR IN QUESTION;"  This sounds like you can still increase rent but it will based on change in CPI for the area. 

You should get quotes with a smaller spread.Some difference in cost can come from one company expecting you to supply materials and another supplying their own.Honestly unless you have some higher end fixtures, even 13k seems high without the service in the scope.

If this price forecast is correct, given the current supply and demand situation, Atlanta home values will be higher in 2021 than they were in 2018. 

Obliviously, I will not be renewing the lease but must give a 30 day notice, per VA regulations. 

I also understand that certain areas have short-term regulations (specifically Palm Springs).

Getting to know a City takes time - neighborhoods, people to work with, local regulations and so much more.

What finishes are being supplied?