Chapter 25.18 — DOWNTOWN DISTRICTS DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS

• A. Purpose. This chapter provides detailed regulations for development and new land uses within the 111 Corridor Plan area and is intended to provide for the continuing evolution of the 111 Corridor Plan area from an old highway commercial strip to a place where:

  1. A mixture of land uses including shops, workplaces, residences, and civic buildings are within walking distance of one another;

  2. Streets that are attractive to pedestrians also conveniently and efficiently accommodate the needs of cyclists and the automobile; and

  3. New and remodeled buildings work together to define the pedestrian-oriented space of the public streets within the plan area, and are harmonious with each other and the desired character of the plan area.

• B. Applicability. Proposed development, subdivisions, and new land uses within the plan area shall comply with all applicable requirements of this Development Code, as follows.

  1. Regulating Plan. The Regulating Plan (Figure 25.18-1) defines the zones within the 111 Corridor Plan area that differentiate standards for building placement, design, and use; and identifies the parcels included within each zone.

  2. Land Use and Permit Requirements. Section 25.18.040 identifies the land use types allowed by the City in each of the zones established by the Regulating Plan. A parcel within the 111 Corridor Plan area shall be occupied only by land uses identified as allowed within the applicable zone by Section 25.18.040, subject to the type of City approval (for instance permitted by right, administrative use permit, conditional use permit) required by Section 25.18.040.

  3. Development Standards. The development standards in Section 25.18.050 regulate the building envelope and the features of buildings that affect the public realm of the street, sidewalk, and public open spaces. The development standards regulate building intensity, building setbacks, building height, building size and spacing, required frontage types, allowed architectural elements, required on-site open space, parking placement, and parking requirements and vary according to the zone applied to a parcel by the Regulating Plan. Proposed development shall comply with all applicable standards in Section 25.18.050.

• (Ord. 1313, 2016)

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City of Palm Desert, CA

ZONING

§ 25.18.020

§ 25.18.030

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(Ord. 1313, 2016)

The following descriptions of each downtown district identify the characteristic uses, intensity of uses, and level of development intended for that district.

A. Downtown (D) District. The Downtown (D) zone

introduces urban, multi-story buildings up to 3 stories tall and

located at or near the sidewalk.* Primary building access is from the sidewalk and parking is behind buildings or subterranean. Ground floors accommodate retail, restaurant, service, and office uses, while upper floors accommodate residential and office uses. Residential uses are prohibited on the ground floor along the El Paseo frontage.

B. Downtown Core Overlay (D-O). Buildings within the Downtown Core Overlay (D-O) may be up to 4 stories.* In addition, residential uses are prohibited on the ground floor.

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C. Downtown Edge (DE) District. The Downtown Edge (DE) zone serves as a buffer between downtown and the residential neighborhoods to the north and south. It introduces urban, multi-story buildings up to 3 stories tall. It is a flexible zone that allows a wide range of uses, including residential, office, service, and retail uses. Buildings with retail ground floors are located right behind the sidewalk while buildings with residential ground floors are set back with small front yards.

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City of Palm Desert, CA

PALM DESERT CODE

§ 25.18.030

§ 25.18.040

D. Downtown Edge Transition Overlay (DE-O). Buildings within the Downtown Edge Transition Overlay (DE-O) are required to step down to 2 stories along the portions of the parcel that are adjacent to single-family zones. In addition, most nonresidential uses within the DE-O are permitted subject to a conditional use permit.

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• Building height may be increased by 1 story if public improvements are implemented per conditions in 111 Corridor Implementation Manual .

(Ord. 1313, 2016)

Table 25.18-1 (Use Matrix for Downtown Districts) identifies allowed uses and corresponding permit requirements for the downtown districts and all other provisions of this title. Descriptions/ definitions of the land uses can be found in Chapter 25.99 (Definitions). The special use provisions column in the table identifies the specific chapter or section where additional regulations for that use type are located within this title.

Uses that are not listed are not permitted. However, the Commission may make a use determination as outlined in Section 25.72.020 (Use Determinations).

TABLE 25.18-1. USE MATRIX FOR DOWNTOWN DISTRICTS

• P = use permitted by right

• A = use requires administrative use permit

• C = use requires approval of conditional use permit

• N = use not permitted

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Zone
Special Use
Land Use D D-O DE DE-O Provisions
Residential Uses
Accessory dwelling unit P P P P 25.34.030
Assisted Living N N N C
Condominium C1 C1 C C 25.16.040.B
Dwelling, duplex C1 C1 C P 25.16.040.B
Dwelling, multifamily C1 C1 C P 25.16.040.B
Dwelling, single-family C1 C1 C P 25.16.040.B
Group home C1 C1 C N 25.16.040.B
Junior accessory dwelling unit P P P P 25.34.030
Home-based business P4 P4 P4 P4 25.34.020
Agriculture-Related Uses
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City of Palm Desert, CA

ZONING

§ 25.18.040

§ 25.18.040

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Zone
Special Use
Land Use D D-O DE DE-O Provisions
Garden, private C1 C1 N P
Greenhouse, private N N C P
Horticulture, private N N C P
Recreation, Resources Preservation, Open Space, and Public Assembly Uses
Club, private N N N C
Day care center C1 C1 N C1
Day care, large family N N N P 25.10.040.F
Day care, small family N N N P
Institution, educational N N C C
Institution, general N N C C
Institution, religious N N C C
Mechanical or electronic games, < P1 P1 P N
4
Mechanical or electronic games, > C1,2 C1,2 C N
5
Recreational facility, incidental N N N C 25.10.040.H
Recreation facility, private N N N P
Recreation facility, public N N N C
Retail, Service, and Office Uses
Accessory massage establishments P P P N 25.34.160
Ancillary commercial N N A N 25.16.040.E
Animal Clinic C1,6 C1,6 C1,6 N 25.34.210
Art gallery P P P A
Art studio P1 P1 A A
Book and card shops P P N N
Bed and breakfast N N C C
Cannabis storefront retail C N C N 25.34.120
Cannabis testing and research N N N N 25.34.120
laboratory
Clothing and apparel shops P P P N
Convention and visitor's bureau P1 P1 C N
Drugstore P1 P1 N N
Financial institution P1 P1 C N
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P1 A A
Book and card shops P P N N
Bed and breakfast N N C C
Cannabis storefront retail C N C N 25.34.120
Cannabis testing and research N N N N 25.34.120
laboratory
Clothing and apparel shops P P P N
Convention and visitor's bureau P1 P1 C N
Drugstore P1 P1 N N
Financial institution P1 P1 C N
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City of Palm Desert, CA

PALM DESERT CODE

§ 25.18.040

§ 25.18.040

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Zone
Special Use
Land Use D D-O DE DE-O Provisions
Furniture stores and home P P P N
furnishings
Gift and accessories boutiques P P P N
(including small antiques)
Grocery store < 35,000 SF C1 C1 N N
Health club, gyms or studios C1,2 C1,2 C2 N
Hotel C C C C
Independent stand-alone massage P1 P1 C N 25.34.160
establishments
Jewelry shops P P P N
Liquor store P1 P1 N N
Liquor, beverage, and food items P1 P1 N N
shop
Luggage shops P P P N
Medical, clinic P1 P1 P N
Medical, office P1 P1 P A5
Medical, hospital P1 P1 C C
Medical, laboratory N N P N
Mortuary C1 C1 N N
Office, professional P3 P3 P3 P3 25.28.040.C
Office, local government P1 P1 P N
Office, neighborhood government N N N C
Office, travel agency P3 P3 P N 25.10.040.K
Outdoor sales A1 A1 A N
Personal services P P P N
Restaurant C2 C2 C1 N 25.16.040.H
Retail P P P N
Retail, bulky items P1 P1 C N
Retail, Golf carts and C N C N 25.34.190
neighborhood electric vehicles
(NEV)
Spa P P P C
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City of Palm Desert, CA

ZONING

§ 25.18.040

§ 25.18.040

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Zone
Special Use
Land Use D D-O DE DE-O Provisions
Sundries shops (general P P P N
merchandise)
Time-share project C1 C1 N N
Utility, Transportation, Public Facility, and Communication Uses
Fire station C C C C
Commercial communication tower C C C
Commercial parking lot P P C C 25.10.040.I
Office parking lot N N N C 25.10.040.L
Public service facility N N N C
Utility facility N N N C
Utility installation C C N N
Automobile and Vehicle Uses
Automotive rental agency P P C N
Automotive service station C C N N
Temporary Uses See Section 25.34.080
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• 1 Uses prohibited along El Paseo facing ground floor frontages.

• 2 The establishment may be permitted with an administrative use permit but may be elevated to a conditional use permit at the discretion of the ZA based on parking, traffic, or other impacts.

• 3 Office professional uses along El Paseo facing ground floor frontages within the El Paseo Overlay district may be allowed subject to a conditional use permit per Section 25.28.040(El Paseo Overlay district).

• 4 Home occupation uses are permitted in residential dwelling units in approved residential and mixeduse developments.

5. Medical offices existing and operating with an appropriate City business license prior to 2023 are permitted by right to continue operating without requiring an administrative use permit.

6. Use only permitted on properties with frontage along Highway 111.

(Ord. 1313, 2016; Ord. 1329 § 4, 2017; Ord. 1350A § 2, 2019; Ord. 1358 § 2, 2020; Ord. 1393 § 12, 2023; Ord. 1405 § 2, 2023; Ord. No. 1416, 8/22/2024; Ord. 1436, 11/13/2025)

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City of Palm Desert, CA

PALM DESERT CODE

§ 25.18.050

The development standards on Table 25.18-2 (Downtown District Development Standards) are applicable to the downtown zoning districts. These standards, along with other development standards (e.g., landscaping requirements, signs, and parking standards) in this title, are intended to assist property owners and project designers in understanding the City's minimum requirements and expectations for high-quality development.

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TABLE 25.18-2. DOWNTOWN DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
Zone
Development Standard D D-O DE DE-O
A. Building Intensity
1. Floor Area Ratio (FAR) 2.0 2.5 2.0 2.0
B. Building Setbacks as measured from property lines
1. Primary Street Setback 1
a. Ground Floor Residential 5 ft. not allowed 10 ft. 10 ft.
b. Ground Floor Nonresidential 0 ft. 0 ft. 0 ft. 10 ft
2. Side Street Setback 1
a. Residential 5 ft. not allowed 10 ft. 10 ft.
b. Nonresidential 0 ft. 0 ft. 0 ft. 10 ft
3. Side Yard Setback
a. Residential 0 ft. 0 ft. 0 ft. 5 ft.
b. Nonresidential 0 ft. 0 ft. 0 ft. 5 ft.
4. Rear Setback
a. With alley 5 ft. 5 ft. 5 ft. 25 ft.
b. Without alley 5 ft. 5 ft. 5 ft. 5 ft.
C. Building Height 2
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City of Palm Desert, CA

§ 25.18.050

§ 25.18.050

ZONING

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TABLE 25.18-2. DOWNTOWN DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
Zone
Development Standard D D-O DE DE-O
1. To eave of pitched roof (max.) 3 floors / 40 ft. 4 floors / 55 ft. 3 floors / 40 ft. 3 floors / 40 ft.
2. Pitched roof height above top of eave (max.) 12 ft. 12 ft. 12 ft. 10 ft.
3. To top of parapet of flat roof (max.) 3 floors / 45 ft. 4 floors / 60 ft. 3 3 floors / 45 ft. 3 floors / 45 ft.
4. Ground floor above grade at building setback line
(max.)
a. Residential 4 ft. not allowed 4 ft. 3 ft.
b. Nonresidential 0 ft. 0 ft. 0 ft. 0 ft.
5. Ground story height
a. Residential 18 ft. not allowed 12 ft. 10 ft.
b. Nonresidential 18 ft. 18 ft. 18 ft. not allowed
D. Building Size and Spacing (also see One Eleven Corridor Guidelines, Section 25.20.020)
1. Primary Street Façade
a. Building width/façade increment 35 ft. 35 ft. 35 ft. 35 ft.
b. Building separation 0 ft. 0 ft. 0 ft. 15 ft.
2. Side Yard and Side Street Façade
a. Façade Length TBD TBD TBD TBD
E. Required Frontage Types
All street- and lane-facing building frontages must provide at least 1 of the frontage types listed below. Frontage types may encroach into the public right-of-way or setback as
identified below, and may be further limited by the California Building Code (CBC). Please refer to Section 25.20.030 of the One Eleven Corridor Design Guidelines for design
criteria for each frontage type.
1. Shopfront – – – –
2. Arcade within 2 ft. of curb within 2 ft. of curb – –
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City of Palm Desert, CA

§ 25.18.050

§ 25.18.050

PALM DESERT CODE

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TABLE 25.18-2. DOWNTOWN DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
Zone
Development Standard D D-O DE DE-O
3. Gallery within 2 ft. of curb within 2 ft. of curb within 2 ft. of curb –
4. Stoop 5 ft. into setback n.a. 5 ft. into setback 5 ft. into setback
5. Dooryard to R.O.W. line to R.O.W. line to R.O.W. line to R.O.W. line
F. Encroachment Allowed for Architectural Elements
Architectural elements may encroach into the public right-of-way or setback as identified below, and may be further limited by the California Building Code (CBC). Please refer
to Section 25.20.040 of the One Eleven Corridor Design Guidelines for design criteria for each architectural element.
1. Awning, Canopy within 2 ft. of curb within 2 ft. of curb within 2 ft. of curb within 2 ft. of curb
2. Balcony 4,5 3 ft. into R.O.W. 3 ft. into R.O.W. 3 ft. into setback 3 ft. into setback
3. Bay Window 4,5 3 ft. into R.O.W. 3 ft. into R.O.W. 3 ft. into setback 3 ft. into setback
4. Cantilevered Room 4,5 2 ft. into R.O.W. 2 ft. into R.O.W. 2 ft. into setback 2 ft. into setback
5. Eaves 3 ft. into R.O.W. 3 ft. into R.O.W. 2 ft. into setback 2 ft. into setback
G. Required On-Site Open Space 6
1. Required On-Site Open Space. Each lot shall provide the quantity of open space indicated below, comprised of 1 or more of the following open space types: (i) court, (ii) back
yard, (iii) side yard, and/or (iv) roof deck as allowed by each individual zone. Please refer to Section 25.20.050 of the One Eleven Corridor Design Guidelines for design criteria
for each open space type. Required open space must be located behind the primary street, side street, side yard and rear yard setback lines, as shown in Figure 25.18-4 (Required
Open Space). Setback areas do not count toward the minimum required open space area.
a. Min. area total 15% of total lot area 15% of total lot area 20% of total lot area 20% of total lot area
b. Min. area of at least one open space 10% of total lot area 10% of total lot area 10% of total lot area 10% of total lot area
2. Design Criteria. width length width length width length width length
a. Front Yard Lot width Primary – – Lot width Primary Lot width Primary
(min.) Street (min.) Street (min.) Street Setback
Setback Setback depth (min.)
depth (min.) depth (min.)
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City of Palm Desert, CA

§ 25.18.050

§ 25.18.050

ZONING

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TABLE 25.18-2. DOWNTOWN DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
Zone
Development Standard D D-O DE DE-O
b. Court 6 20 ft. min. 20 ft. min 20 ft. min. 20 ft. min 20 ft. min. 20 ft. min 20 ft. min. 20 ft. min
c. Back Yard 6 – – – – 20 ft. min. 20 ft. min 20 ft. min. 20 ft. min
d. Side Yard 6 20 ft. min. 3x width 20 ft. min. 3x width 20 ft. min. 3x width 20 ft. min. 3x width max.
max. max. max.
e. Roof Deck 6 20 ft. min. 20 ft. min. 20 ft. min. 20 ft. min. – – – –
f. Covered Passage 10 ft. min. 3x width 10 ft. min. 3x width 10 ft. min. 3x width 10 ft. min. 3x width max.
max. max. max.
g. Uncovered Passage 15 ft. min. 3x width 15 ft. min. 3x width 15 ft. min. 3x width 15 ft. min. 3x width max.
max. max. max.
H. Parking Placement 7
1. Primary Street Setback 20 ft. 20 ft. 20 ft. 20 ft.
2. Side Street Setback 5 ft. 5 ft. 5 ft. 5 ft.
3. Side Yard Setback 5 ft. 5 ft. 5 ft. 5 ft.
4. Rear Setback 5 ft. 5 ft. 5 ft. 5 ft.
I. Parking Requirements
1. Residential Uses
a. Studio and 1-Bedroom min. 1.25 / unit min. 1.25 / unit min. 1.25 / unit min. 1.25 / unit
b. 2-Bedroom + min. 1.75 / unit min. 1.75 / unit min. 2 / unit min. 2 / unit
2. Nonresidential Uses 3 space / 1,000 sq. ft. 3 space / 1,000 sq. ft. 3 space / 1,000 sq. ft. 3 space / 1,000 sq. ft.
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City of Palm Desert, CA

§ 25.18.050

§ 25.18.050

PALM DESERT CODE

Notes:

• 1 The distance between the face of curb and primary street and side street building facades must be consistent with the sidewalk and landscape width requirements of General Plan Chapter 10, Streetscape and Public Realm. Accordingly, buildings along the primary street and side street may need to be set back farther than the minimum specified setback in order to provide space for the sidewalk and landscape widths envisioned by the General Plan.

• 2 Building heights are the vertical distance from the average elevation of the finished grade to the top of eve or top of parapet; pitched roof height is the additional vertical distance from the top of eave to the highest point of the roof; ground story height is measured floor to floor.

• 3 Building height may be increased by 1 story / an additional 15 ft. if public improvements are implemented per conditions in 111 Corridor Implementation Manual. 4 Only allowed on upper floors.

• 5 Includes eaves extending into setback from a covered stoop, bay window, cantilevered room, or covered balcony.

• 6 Open space type may count towards minimum required open space requirement as defined in Section G.1 of Table 25.18-2.

• 7 Partially subterranean and fully subterranean parking garages may align with the primary street and/or side street building frontage line(s) provided they do not extend higher than the maximum ground floor height standards described in Table 25.18-2, Section C.4.

(Ord. 1313, 2016)

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City of Palm Desert, CA

ZONING

§ 25.18.060

Building Height. Vertical distance from the average elevation of the finished grade to the top of eve or top of parapet; pitched roof height is the additional vertical distance from the top of eave to the highest point of the roof. See Figure 25.18-2 (Building Height).

Building Setback. The distance between the building line and the property line, or when abutting a street, the ultimate right-of-way line. See Figure 25.18-3 (Building Setbacks).

Primary Street. The street that is typically higher in the street hierarchy, typically carries more traffic, and where the main facade of a building typically faces.

Required Open Space.

Required open space shall be provided in area shown in Figure 25.18-4 (Required Open Space).

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(Ord. 1313, 2016)

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City of Palm Desert, CA