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Title 21 — Zoning Code

Chapter 21.23 — VERY LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL ZONE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS

Indian Wells Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · Indian Wells

§ 21.23.010. General.

The Chapter contains the regulations for the Very Low Density Residential Zone established by the City.

The regulations of this Chapter shall apply to all properties within the Very Low Density Residential Zones within the City, except as modified by the specific situations as defined in the Planning Area in which the building site is located. (Refer to Chapter 21.14 for the specific Planning Area in which the building site is located.)

(Ord. 387 § 1, 1996)

§ 21.23.020. Purpose.

The purpose of this Zone is to provide regulations for the development of the majority of the residential properties within the City, consistent with the historic low density residential character of the City established over the past twenty-five (25) years. (Ord. 387 § 1, 1996)

§ 21.23.030. Permitted uses.

The following shall be permitted in the Very Low Density Residential Zone:

  • (a) Single family detached residential uses shall be the primary use permitted;

  • (b) Accessory uses and structures related to the primary use;

  • (c) Agricultural uses, subject to approval of a Conditional Use Permit;

  • (d) Second dwelling units in conjunction with the primary use;

  • (e) Country clubs/golf courses, subject to approval of a Conditional Use Permit;

  • (f) Recreational facilities, including, but not limited to, tennis courts, subject to approval of a Conditional Use Permit;

  • (g) Small and large family day care, subject to approval of a Conditional Use Permit; and

(h) Short-term residential rental, subject to the requirements of Chapter 5.20 of this Code. (Ord. 387 § 1, 1996; Ord. 537 § 1, 2003; Ord. 653 § 3, 2011; Ord. 674 § 3, 2013; Ord. 675 § 1, 2013; Ord. 734 § 3, 2021)

§ 21.23.040. Lot area.

Each lot shall have a minimum lot area of twelve thousand (12,000) square feet net, i.e., not including streets and alleys unless cluster development is approved in accordance with a Conditional Use Permit.

(Ord. 387 § 1, 1996)

§ 21.23.050. Lot dimension and setbacks.

All lots hereafter created shall comply with the following minimum standards:

  • (a) Standard Lots.
Lot Width: 100 feet
Lot Depth: 100 feet
Front Yard Setback: 20 feet
Rear Yard Setback: 10 feet
Interior Side Yard Setback: 8 feet
Street Side Yard Setback (on corner lots): 15 feet
Garage Door Setback: 20 feet
  • (b) Small Lots. Lots having less than ninety (90) feet of width which were created prior to September 3, 1972 shall comply with the minimum standards of subsection (a) , except as modified in this Section:
Side Yard Setback (on Interior Lots): 12 feet (with no less than 5 feet on
one side)
Interior Side Yard Setback (on Corner Lots): 5 feet
Street Side Yard Setback (on Corner Lots): 15 feet
  • (c) Irregular Lots. The minimum lot depth and width of lots which are irregularly shaped and located on a curve or cul-de-sac street may be modified to approximate the average on the adjacent properties upon specific approval by the City Council.

  • (d) Highway 111 Buffer Area. Along Highway 111, the buffer area shall be between any structures and the roadway. The buffer area shall extend one hundred seventeen (117) feet from the existing face of curb along Highway 111 or one hundred (100) feet from the ultimate Highway 111 improvement as approved by the City Council on May 17, 2007 by Resolution 2007-27. For acceleration and deceleration lanes installed along Highway 111, the one hundred (100) foot setback shall be measured from the curbline projected from the improved curb, as shown in Figure A below. If common area structures, facilities or other such support structures are proposed within the buffer area, they should not project above the exterior wall adjacent to Highway 111. No habitable structures will be permitted within the buffer area. Where perimeter roadways are utilized, they should be located within the buffer area, between Highway 111 and any residential lot.

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(Ord. 387 § 1, 1996; Ord. 428 § 1, 1998; Ord. 541 § 1, 2003; Ord. 606 § 1, 2007)

§ 21.23.060. Density.

The number of residential lots/units per gross acre of area, calculated on a tract map basis, shall not exceed three (3) dwelling units per acre.

(Ord. 387 § 1, 1996)

§ 21.23.070. Building height.

  • (a) General. Buildings and structures erected in this zone shall have a height over seventy (70) percent of the horizontal roof area, not exceeding fifteen (15) feet, with no point of the roof extending above eighteen (18) feet in height. In no case shall the building exceed one (1) living story above the pad elevation of the building site.

  • (b) Setbacks.

    • (1) The maximum building height shall not be allowed within twenty-six (26) feet of any side property line; thirty-two (32) feet of any rear property line; twenty (20) feet of any front property line.

    • (2) Buildings shall not exceed twelve (12) feet in height at the minimum rear or side setback.

    • (3) Buildings shall not exceed the height established by the planes between the maximum building height allowed at the minimum side and rear building setbacks and the maximum building height allowed at the minimum building setbacks for said maximum building height per subsection (b)(1), above.

  • (Ord. 387 § 1, 1996)

§ 21.23.080. Dwelling unit size.

All dwelling units constructed in this zone shall have a minimum usable floor area of two-thousand (2,000) square feet. (Ord. 387 § 1, 1996)

§ 21.23.090. Garages.

Garage requirements shall be in accordance with Section 21.20.080 , of the Residential Development Standards, General.

(Ord. 387 § 1, 1996)

§ 21.23.100. Accessory structures.

Accessory structure requirements shall be in accordance with Section 21.20.090 , of the Residential Development Standards, General.

(Ord. 387 § 1, 1996)

§ 21.23.110. Structural appendages and projections.

Structural appendages and projection requirements shall be in accordance with Section 21.20.100 , of the Residential Development Standards, General.

(Ord. 387 § 1, 1996)

§ 21.23.120. Private tennis courts.

Private tennis court requirements shall be in accordance with Section 21.20.120 , of the Residential Development Standards, General. (Ord. 387 § 1, 1996)

§ 21.23.130. Outdoor lighting.

Outdoor lighting requirements shall be in accordance with Section 21.20.170 , of the Residential Development Standards, General. (Ord. 387 § 1, 1996)

§ 21.23.140. Roof mounted equipment.

Excluding photovoltaic solar equipment and satellite television dishes, all roof mounted equipment, including, but not limited to, heating, venting, cooling, and antenna shall be screened so as to preclude viewing of same from adjacent residences, public ways and golf courses (public or private). (Ord. 387 § 1, 1996; Ord. 533 § 1, 2003; Ord. 720 § 7, 2019)

§ 21.23.150. Landscape.

See Chapter 21.60 , Architecture and Landscape Review. (Ord. 387 § 1, 1996)

§ 21.23.160. Solar energy systems.

Solar energy systems requirements shall be in accordance with Section 21.20.240 , of the Residential Development Standards, General.

(Ord. 533 § 1, 2003)

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Contents — Indian Wells Zoning Code
Indian Wells Zoning Code
  1. Title 21 — Zoning Code
    Overview
    1. Chapter 21.04 — RESTRICTIONS – REGULATIONS
    2. Chapter 21.06 — GENERAL REGULATIONS
    3. Chapter 21.08 — DEFINITIONS
    4. Chapter 21.10 — DEVELOPMENT PRACTICES AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS
    5. Chapter 21.12 — ESTABLISHMENT OF LAND USE CATEGORIES, PLANNING…
    6. Chapter 21.14 — PLANNING AREAS
    7. Chapter 21.20 — RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS, GENERAL
    8. Chapter 21.22 — NATURAL PRESERVE ZONE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
    9. Chapter 21.23 — VERY LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL ZONE DEVELOPMENT …
    10. Chapter 21.24 — LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL ZONE DEVELOPMENT STAND…
    11. Chapter 21.26 — MEDIUM DENSITY RESIDENTIAL ZONE DEVELOPMENT ST…
    12. Chapter 21.27 — MEDIUM HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL ZONE DEVELOPME…
    13. Chapter 21.28 — AFFORDABLE HOUSING OVERLAY ZONE DEVELOPMENT ST…
    14. Chapter 21.29 — SENIOR HOUSING OVERLAY ZONE DEVELOPMENT STANDA…
    15. Chapter 21.30 — COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL ZONE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
    16. Chapter 21.32 — TIME-SHARE USES
    17. Chapter 21.33 — CONDOMINIUM HOTELS
    18. Chapter 21.34 — RESORT COMMERCIAL ZONE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
    19. Chapter 21.35 — SPORTS COMPLEX (SPX) ZONE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
    20. Chapter 21.36 — OFFICE PROFESSIONAL ZONE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
    21. Chapter 21.37 — PUBLIC BENEFIT ZONE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
    22. Chapter 21.38 — PUBLIC FACILITIES AND PUBLIC PARKS/RECREATION …
    23. Chapter 21.42 — COUNTRY CLUB OPEN SPACE ZONE STANDARDS
    24. Chapter 21.44 — PUBLIC OWNED OPEN SPACE ZONE DEVELOPMENT STAND…
    25. Chapter 21.45 — HIGHWAY 111 OVERLAY ZONE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
    26. Chapter 21.46 — WATERCOURSE ZONE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
    27. Chapter 21.47 — SPECIAL STUDY AREA OVERLAY ZONE DEVELOPMENT ST…
    28. Chapter 21.48 — TELECOMMUNICATIONS OVERLAY DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
    29. Chapter 21.60 — ARCHITECTURE AND LANDSCAPE REVIEW
    30. Chapter 21.70 — WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPING
    31. Chapter 21.85 — ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS
    32. Chapter 21.90 — ADDITIONAL USE REGULATIONS

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