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Title 17 — Zoning

Chapter 17.32 — OVERLAY DISTRICTS

Desert Hot Springs Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · Desert Hot Springs

§ 17.32.010. Purpose and intent.

The intent of this chapter is to provide guidance on the implementation of Overlay Districts within this Zoning Ordinance.

(Prior code § 159.14.010)

§ 17.32.020. Established overlay districts.

For purposes of this chapter, overlay districts shall refer to those overlay districts established in Section 17.04.060 .

(Prior code § 159.14.020)

§ 17.32.030. Specific plan overlay district (SP).

  • A. Where a specific plan district overlies another zoning district established in this Zoning Ordinance, the development standards and other relevant regulations of such specific plan district shall supersede any conflicting development standards and other regulations of the underlying zoning district.

  • B. For development projects on contiguous properties having significant and definable inter-related planning and land use issues which required uniform resolution in order to insure basic fairness in application and administrative economy and that are consistent with the City’s adopted General Plan, the use of a planned development (PD) district may be allowed in lieu of the development and/or adoption of a specific plan subject to the approval of a Conditional Use Permit by City Council (See Chapter 17.80 ).

  • (Prior code § 159.14.030)

§ 17.32.040. Two Bunch Palms Specific Plan (TBPSP) Overlay.

  • A. The Two Bunch Palms Specific Plan (TBPSP) Overlay shall include approximately 269.89± acres of land generally bounded by Verbena Drive to the west; Miracle Hill Road to the east; Rochelle Road to the north; and Camino Campanero to the south (Assessor Parcel Numbers: 642-150-022, 023, 024; and 642-170-015, 023, 024, 026, 029, 031, 035, 036-042, 044; and 656130-006-009, 014, 017, 019, and 020-024).

  • B. Prior to development of any individual parcel located within the TBPSP boundary, the property owner(s) shall undertake the preparation of a specific plan covering all parcels within the TBPSP boundary, consistent with the California Planning Laws and Chapter 17.128 (Specific Plans).

  • C. The specific plan provides the framework for future development within the overlay area which will emphasize visitor and spa/health-related uses capitalizing on hot water resources and will allow limited commercial and residential uses only where these uses can be demonstrated and controlled to specifically support the spa/health-related uses. The specific plan shall address a comprehensive plan for the improvement of the Two Bunch Palms Resort, including expansion of the spa services and facilities and addition of visitor lodging to accommodate increased number of guests. The specific plan may address a variety of visitor-serving uses, including traditional hotel rooms, condominium hotel rooms, timeshare hotel uses, extended-stay visitor lodging, and vacation club membership-oriented visitors. To the extent that more traditional residential uses of the overlay area wish to be used as second homes or seasonal transient lodging, the specific plan may allow for such uses of residential units provided they are managed by the Two Bunch Palms Resort operators, and all appropriate business license and transient occupancy taxes payable to the City. The specific plan will anticipate phased development of the site over several years, and provide for subsequent reviews of development projects, use permits and subdivisions to fully implement the final vision of the specific plan. If the specific plan does not address a particular standard, the provisions of the base-zoning district shall apply. Unless otherwise waived by the City, all development within the boundaries of the specific plan shall require the consideration and approval of a development agreement pursuant to Chapter 17.84 of the Municipal Zoning Ordinance.

implement the final vision of the specific plan. If the specific plan does not address a particular standard, the provisions of the base-zoning district shall apply. Unless otherwise waived by the City, all development within the boundaries of the specific plan shall require the consideration and approval of a development agreement pursuant to Chapter 17.84 of the Municipal Zoning Ordinance.

  • D. Failure to Utilize Plan. Failure to utilize a plan, by an applicant or his/her successor, within 2 years of its effective date (unless extended by action of the Planning Commission) will automatically void such plan. In the event construction work is involved, such work must actually commence within the stated period and be diligently pursued. If the City should find that there has been no construction of substantial character taken or if such construction should lapse for more than 6 months, the plan shall be void. This subsection dealing with failure to utilize is of no force and effect when applicant has an approved development agreement on file covering the same area as the specific plan.

  • E. Extension of Time. Extension of time up to a maximum of 1 year may be granted from the date of expiration of the plan by the Planning Commission when extenuating circumstances can be clearly shown by the applicant. Said 1-year extension(s) are limited to 3. This subsection dealing with extension is of no force and effect when applicant has an approved development agreement on file covering the same area as the specific plan.

  • (Prior code § 159.14.040)

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Contents — Desert Hot Springs Zoning Code
Desert Hot Springs Zoning Code
  1. Title 17 — Zoning
    Overview
    1. Chapter 17.04 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
    2. Chapter 17.08 — RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS
    3. Chapter 17.12 — COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS
    4. Chapter 17.14 — MIXED-USE DISTRICTS
    5. Chapter 17.16 — INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS
    6. Chapter 17.18 — VISITOR-SERVING DISTRICTS
    7. Chapter 17.20 — OPEN SPACE
    8. Chapter 17.24 — PUBLIC USE DISTRICTS
    9. Chapter 17.28 — SPA-1-02 DISTRICT
    10. Chapter 17.30 — DESERT HOT SPRINGS RETAIL CENTER SPECIFIC PLAN
    11. Chapter 17.32 — OVERLAY DISTRICTS
    12. Chapter 17.36 — PLANNED DEVELOPMENT (PD) DISTRICT
    13. Chapter 17.40 — PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
    14. Chapter 17.44 — SIGN REGULATIONS
    15. Chapter 17.45 — OUTDOOR ADVERTISING DISPLAYS § 17.45.010. Defi…
    16. Chapter 17.48 — OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING STANDARDS
    17. Chapter 17.52 — OFF-STREET LOADING STANDARDS
    18. Chapter 17.56 — LANDSCAPING STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES
    19. Chapter 17.60 — ART IN PUBLIC PLACES PROGRAM
    20. Chapter 17.64 — ADMINISTRATION
    21. Chapter 17.68 — APPLICATIONS AND FEES
    22. Chapter 17.72 — CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPANCY
    23. Chapter 17.74 — ADMINISTRATIVE USE PERMITS
    24. Chapter 17.76 — CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS
    25. Chapter 17.80 — DESIGN REVIEW
    26. Chapter 17.84 — DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS
    27. Chapter 17.88 — ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS
    28. Chapter 17.92 — DEVELOPMENT PERMITS
    29. Chapter 17.96 — ENFORCEMENT OF PROVISIONS
    30. Chapter 17.100 — GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENTS
    31. Chapter 17.104 — HEARINGS AND APPEALS
    32. Chapter 17.108 — HOME OCCUPANCY PERMITS
    33. Chapter 17.112 — INTERPRETATION
    34. Chapter 17.116 — MINOR EXCEPTIONS
    35. Chapter 17.120 — MINOR MODIFICATIONS
    36. Chapter 17.124 — NONCONFORMING STRUCTURES AND USES
    37. Chapter 17.128 — SPECIFIC PLANS
    38. Chapter 17.132 — SURFACE MINING AND LAND RECLAMATION
    39. Chapter 17.136 — TEMPORARY USE PERMITS
    40. Chapter 17.140 — VARIANCES
    41. Chapter 17.144 — DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEES
    42. Chapter 17.148 — SERVICE AND REGULATORY FEES
    43. Chapter 17.152 — CARD CLUBS
    44. Chapter 17.156 — SPECIAL USES
    45. Chapter 17.164 — MOTION PICTURE PRODUCTION
    46. Chapter 17.168 — SEXUALLY ORIENTED BUSINESSES
    47. Chapter 17.173 — GARAGE SALES
    48. Chapter 17.176 — PARADES
    49. Chapter 17.180 — MARIJUANA FACILITIES OPERATION AND LOCATION
    50. Chapter 17.190 — DESERT GATEWAY SPECIFIC PLAN
    51. Chapter 17.200 — COACHILLIN’ SPECIFIC PLAN
    52. Chapter 17.210 — DESERT LAND VENTURES SPECIFIC PLAN
    53. Chapter 17.220 — REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
    54. Chapter 17.230 — TWO BUNCH PALMS SPECIFIC PLAN
    55. Chapter 17.240 — RANCHO DESCANSO, AMD. NO. 1
    56. Chapter 17.250 — DESERT STORAGE SPECIFIC PLAN
    57. Chapter 17.260 — PIERSON COMMERCIAL SPECIFIC PLAN

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