Rental Agreement Stargazer Ranch

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RENTAL AGREEMENT & TERMS OF STAY

By booking or staying in the Shasta Suite or Sedona Suite at Stargazer Ranch, guests acknowledge and agree to the following Rental Agreement and Terms of Stay.

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RANCH ENVIRONMENT

Stargazer Ranch is a working ranch/farm environment with live animals, natural terrain and outdoor amenities. Guests should expect the sights, sounds and conditions associated with ranch life, including animals, animal sounds and odors, dirt, dust, insects, wildlife, vegetation and changing outdoor conditions.

Our ranch is home to miniature cattle and other farm animals. Animals are living beings and can behave unpredictably, even when normally friendly and accustomed to people.

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ADULT-ONLY ACCOMMODATIONS

Stargazer Ranch accommodations are for registered guests 18 years of age and older.

Each suite has a maximum occupancy of two overnight guests.

Unregistered overnight guests, parties, events and unauthorized visitors are not permitted.

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CHECK-IN & CHECK-OUT

Guests must observe the check-in and check-out times provided with their reservation.

Early check-in or late check-out must be approved in advance and may be subject to an additional fee.

SHARED AMENITIES

Stargazer Ranch offers shared guest amenities that may include our luxury bathroom, covered outdoor kitchen, refrigerator, grill, covered lounge, firepit/stargazing areas and other designated outdoor relaxation spaces.

Guests of both suites may be using these areas during their stay.

Amenities may occasionally be unavailable because of weather, maintenance, fire restrictions, animal management or safety concerns.

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ANIMALS & ANIMAL SAFETY

Being near livestock and other animals involves inherent risks. Animals may unexpectedly kick, push, bite, scratch, step on a person, swing their heads or horns, become startled or otherwise move unpredictably.

Guests must follow all posted signs and instructions from Stargazer Ranch.

Guests may not enter pastures, pens, animal enclosures, barns or other restricted animal areas without express permission from Stargazer Ranch.

Guests may not feed ranch animals unless authorized to do so and may only provide food supplied or approved by Stargazer Ranch.

Animals may never be chased, teased, ridden, restrained or intentionally frightened.

Animal interactions are never guaranteed. Access may be limited because of an animal's health, temperament, weather, pasture conditions, veterinary care or other safety considerations.

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NATURAL & UNEVEN TERRAIN

Stargazer Ranch is a rural agricultural property. Grounds may include uneven or sloped terrain, rocks, gravel, dirt, mud, holes, animal burrows, tree roots, steps, fencing, gates, irrigation equipment and other naturally occurring or ranch-related conditions.

Outdoor surfaces may become slippery or difficult to navigate, particularly after rain or irrigation.

Guests should use designated walking areas whenever possible, wear appropriate footwear and use caution when walking around the property, especially after dark.

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WILDLIFE & INSECTS

As with any rural Southern California property, guests may encounter insects, spiders, bees, wasps, flies, mosquitoes, rodents, snakes and other wildlife.

Guests should not approach or attempt to handle wildlife and should notify Stargazer Ranch if assistance is needed.

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FIREPIT, FIREPLACE & GRILL

Guests using the firepit, fireplace, grill or other cooking equipment are responsible for doing so safely.

Open flames and hot cooking equipment must never be left unattended.

Outdoor fires may be prohibited during high-fire-danger conditions or whenever required by local authorities or Stargazer Ranch.

Unauthorized candles, incense and open flames are prohibited inside guest accommodations.

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OUTDOOR KITCHEN

Guests are responsible for safe food preparation, storage and cleanup.

Food and trash should not be left outside where they may attract wildlife, insects or ranch animals.

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SMOKING & VAPING

Smoking and vaping are prohibited inside all guest accommodations and enclosed or covered guest areas.

Any permitted smoking must occur only in a specifically designated area.

Improperly discarded smoking materials are strictly prohibited because of the significant wildfire risk associated with rural Southern California.

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ALCOHOL

Guests of legal drinking age may responsibly consume alcoholic beverages where permitted.

Intoxication does not excuse unsafe behavior or violation of ranch rules. Guests who appear impaired may be prohibited from participating in animal interactions.

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PETS

Guest pets and outside animals are not permitted unless specifically approved by Stargazer Ranch in advance.

Resident ranch animals, including working or livestock guardian animals, should not be approached unless guests are specifically invited to interact with them.

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RANCH SOUNDS & CONDITIONS

Stargazer Ranch is intentionally different from a conventional hotel.

Guests may hear cows, pigs, goats, chickens, dogs and other animals. Agricultural activities, animal odors, insects, dirt, dust and other normal characteristics of ranch life are part of the experience and are not considered grounds for a refund.

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WEATHER

Outdoor amenities and animal interactions are subject to weather and environmental conditions.

Heat, rain, wind, storms, mud, fire danger or other circumstances may require us to temporarily close or restrict certain areas or amenities.

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PERSONAL PROPERTY

Guests are responsible for their personal belongings and should not leave valuables unattended in shared or outdoor areas.

Stargazer Ranch is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged personal property except where responsibility cannot legally be excluded.

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PARKING

Guests must park only in designated guest parking areas and drive slowly while on ranch property.

Animals, people and farm equipment may be present unexpectedly.

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PROPERTY DAMAGE

Guests are responsible for damage they or their permitted visitors cause beyond ordinary wear and tear.

Additional charges may apply for damaged or missing property, excessive cleaning, damaged linens or bedding, smoking violations or other extraordinary cleaning or repair expenses as permitted by the reservation terms.

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SEPTIC & PLUMBING

As a rural property, our plumbing requires extra care.

Only toilet paper and ordinary human waste may be flushed. Wipes, feminine hygiene products, paper towels and other materials must be disposed of in the appropriate trash receptacles.

Guests may be responsible for damage caused by flushing prohibited items.

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RESTRICTED AREAS

Guest access is limited to accommodations and areas designated for guest use.

Animal enclosures, farm operation areas, storage areas, private residences, equipment areas and other restricted portions of the property are off limits unless guests receive express permission from Stargazer Ranch.

Never open an animal gate or enter an animal enclosure without authorization.

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SAFETY & EMERGENCIES

Guests must immediately report injuries, animal incidents, fires, property damage or dangerous conditions to Stargazer Ranch.

For a life-threatening emergency, guests should call 911.

Because Stargazer Ranch is located in a rural area, emergency response times may differ from those in more densely populated areas.

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ASSUMPTION OF RISK

Guests understand that staying on a working ranch involves risks different from those associated with a conventional hotel or vacation rental.

These risks may include interaction with or proximity to livestock and other animals, uneven terrain, outdoor amenities, wildlife, insects, weather and other naturally occurring agricultural or rural conditions.

By choosing to stay at Stargazer Ranch, guests voluntarily accept the ordinary and inherent risks associated with a ranch environment and agree to exercise reasonable care and follow all safety instructions.

Nothing in these Terms is intended to waive or limit rights or liabilities that cannot legally be waived under California law.

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CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS

Reservations are subject to the cancellation and refund policy presented at the time of booking.

Normal ranch conditions—including animal sounds or odors, insects, wildlife, weather, dirt, dust or an animal choosing not to interact—are not independently grounds for a refund unless otherwise required by law.

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RIGHT TO RESTRICT ACCESS OR TERMINATE A STAY

Stargazer Ranch reserves the right to restrict access to any area or activity when reasonably necessary for guest, animal or property safety.

Serious or repeated violations of these Terms, unauthorized entry into animal areas, mistreatment of animals, dangerous behavior, illegal activity, intentional property damage or conduct creating a substantial safety risk may result in termination of the stay without refund to the extent permitted by law.

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SECURITY

Outdoor security cameras may be used throughout portions of the ranch for property security, animal monitoring and ranch operations.

Cameras are not intentionally installed inside guest sleeping accommodations, bathrooms or other areas where guests have a reasonable expectation of personal privacy.

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RESPECT FOR OUR ANIMALS & PROPERTY

The animals are an important part of Stargazer Ranch and their welfare always comes first.

We ask guests to enjoy the ranch peacefully, respect our animals, respect other guests and leave the property and shared spaces in the condition in which they were found.

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AGREEMENT TO TERMS

By completing a reservation and/or staying at Stargazer Ranch, guests acknowledge that they have had access to these Rental Agreement & Terms of Stay and agree to comply with them.

These Terms apply to stays in both the Shasta Suite and Sedona Suite and are governed by the laws of the State of California.