Title 17 — Zoning

Chapter 17.64 — ADMINISTRATION

Desert Hot Springs Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · ingested 2026-07-06 · Desert Hot Springs

§ 17.64.010. Purpose.

  • A. The purpose of Chapters 17.64 through 17.140 is to outline procedures for filing and processing the various land use permits, subdivision maps, variances and other regulatory review and approval responsibilities of the City. Chapters 17.64 through 17.140 also provide for the review and processing of development agreements, amendments to the general plan and this zoning ordinance.

  • B. The system of regulatory review and permit approval provides a full range of processing options gauged to the type of use and its intensity and appropriateness. Table 17.64.01 (Review Authority) identifies the full range of land use permit options and applicable final review authority. Appeals of Director determinations are to the Planning Commission and appeals of Planning Commission determinations are to the City Council.

iew and permit approval provides a full range of processing options gauged to the type of use and its intensity and appropriateness. Table 17.64.01 (Review Authority) identifies the full range of land use permit options and applicable final review authority. Appeals of Director determinations are to the Planning Commission and appeals of Planning Commission determinations are to the City Council.

Table 17.64.01
REVIEW AUTHORITY
Table 17.64.01
REVIEW AUTHORITY
Type of Application Applicable Code
Section
Director Planning
Commission
City Council
Ministerial (Staff Level)
Certifcate of Occupancy 17.72 X
Table 17.64.01
REVIEW AUTHORITY
Table 17.64.01
REVIEW AUTHORITY
--- --- --- --- ---
Type of Application Applicable Code
Section
Director Planning
Commission
City Council
Development Permits – Administrative
Single-family Residential
Housing – 1 structure
17.92 X
Antennae
1
17.40.060 X
Fences and Walls 17.40.110 X
Large Family Day Care 17.08.070 X
Development Permits –
Minor
Minor Additions to existing
Commercial or Industrial
Buildings
17.92 X
Home Occupation Permits 17.108 X
Interpretations (Zoning
Ordinance)
17.112 X
Landscape Plans 17.56 X
Lot Line or Boundary
Adjustment
16.20.110 X4
Minor Exceptions 17.116 X
Minor Modifcations 17.120 X
Sign Permits 17.44 X
Temporary Use Permits
1
17.136 X
Tree Removal 17.56.090 X
Zoning Compliance/Approval
Accessory Structures in
Residential Zones not
Requiring a Building
Permit
X
Building Color
Modifcations on
Nonresidential Buildings1
X
Tenant
Improvements/Occupancy
Permit for Nonresidential
Uses (where no other
approval required)
X
Quasi-Judicial
Administrative Conditional
Use Permit
17.74 X
Conditional Use Permits 17.76 X
Design Review – If Required
by a Specifc Plan or
Conditions of Approval
17.80 X
Table 17.64.01
REVIEW AUTHORITY
Table 17.64.01
REVIEW AUTHORITY
--- --- --- --- ---
Type of Application Applicable Code
Section
Director Planning
Commission
City Council
Development Permits –
Major
Residential
Single-family housing –
Subdivision
17.92 X
Multifamily Housing (2 to
4 units)
17.92; 17.08.140;
17.08.270 to
17.08.290
X (X)
Multifamily Housing (5
units or more)
17.92; 17.08.140;
17.08.270 to
17.08.290
X
Commercial, Industrial,
and Institutional
New Construction on
Vacant Lot
17.92 X
All Other Improvements,
other than those listed
above subject Zoning
Compliance/Approval
17.92 X
Recycling Facilities 17.92 X
Final Maps 16.20 X
General Plan Interpretations 17.112 X
Reversions to Acreage2 16.20.120 X
Sign Program 17.44 X
Tentative Parcel Maps 16.20 X
Variances 17.140 X
Legislative
Development Agreements 17.84 X
General Plan Amendments 17.100 (X)
3
X
Planned Development
Districts
17.36 (X)
3
X
Specifc Plans 17.128 (X)
3
X
Surface Mining and Land
Reclamation
17.132 (X)
3
X
Tentative Tract Maps 16.24, 16.28 (X)
3
X
Zoning Ordinance
Amendments
17.88 (X)
3
X

Notes:

  • 1 The Director has the authority to refer Director level approval application to the Planning Commission.

    • 2 The merger of four or fewer parcels is subject to approval by the City Engineer, pursuant to Section 16.20.100 .
  • 3 The Planning Commission recommends to the City Council for final determination.

  • (Prior code § 159.31.010; Ord. 712 6-2-20)

§ 17.64.020. CEQA review authority—Multiple permit applications.

  • A. CEQA Compliance. Environmental compliance pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act shall be approved or denied by the person/board who has “review authority” pursuant to Table 17.64.01, as may be amended. For development projects that do not need to go to Planning Commission or City Council, those development projects shall be approved or denied by the person having “review authority.” Any approval or denial of environmental review can be appealed pursuant to Chapter 17.104 , “Hearings and Appeals,” of the Desert Hot Springs Municipal Code.

  • B. Multiple-Permit Applications. Development projects that require the filing of more than one land use permit application may file all related permits concurrently and pay appropriate fees. Processing and environmental review may be concurrent. The final decision on the project shall be made by the highest level of review authority.

(Prior code § 159.31.020; Ord. 730 2-16-21)

§ 17.64.030. Pre-application conference.

Applicants and/or their representatives may request a pre-application conference with the Department prior to formal submittal of a single land use permit application. Development projects involving multiple permit applications shall require a pre-application conference. This conference should take place prior to any substantial investment (i.e., land acquisition, site, engineering and construction plans) in the preparation of the proposed development project application. During the conference the Department representative(s) shall inform the applicant of applicable policies, plans, and requirements as they apply to the proposed development project, review the appropriate procedures outlined in this Zoning Ordinance, and examine possible alternatives or modifications relating to the proposed project.

(Prior code § 159.31.030)

§ 17.64.040. Case/application abandonment.

Any application submitted by an applicant for any permit, license or otherwise, under Title 17, shall be considered abandoned and of no force and effect if the applicant is inactive for 180 days. (Ord. 724 10-6-20)