Is he disturbing other tenants?

Says 1 acre or less of disturbance no need for permit. 

We have even had to run new water laterals on rehabs if we "disturb" more than I think it is 3 feet of the water main connection.

Are there any semi-reliable ways of doing due diligence on the interior condition of one of these properties when the site says the property is occupied - do not disturb?  

I'd get a 4-5 bedroom house, stuff it with college kids, sleep in the smallest bedroom.

Typo maybe lack of sleep.  

@Ryan ElamAlso, Joshua tree- one bedroom should 100% be a bunk room- do a search on air or vrbo for 6 persons v 4 like you have - you have effectively eliminated a lot of people by having sleeping for 6 v 4. this is 100% no brainer. provide a couple air mattresses as well- they can be in a closet and people will choose to use them or not. basically you will open a huge market for families because they are average 4-6 people. that is a huge mistake in my opinion.when doing a random joshua tree search for different dates the rates simply from a 4 person to a 6 person range - 4 person $85-$115 per night. 6 person was $150-225I would swap out a bunk room TOMORROW.

When we focus a lot on “population decline”,it sometimes turns into an excuse to not do deals.In a major metro of more than a million people,population decline is not something I lose sleep over.As long as you buy close to major employers,you’ll always be fine.What I will never do is to buy an apartment building in small towns or suburbs with population of just a few thousands...I think that’s a far greater risk.And people who complain about Cleveland’s “population decline” have been known to come on BP to post a deal they just closed in Macon GA for example...I’ve been to Macon.That’s not even funny.:)

The Yurt (aiming for 20') would have a king bed and pull out couch, so it could sleep 4 but ideally 2 for the size of space.  

That depends on how many people your house can sleep.