Title 25 — Zoning

Chapter 25.22 — SPECIAL DISTRICTS

Palm Desert Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · ingested 2026-07-06 · Palm Desert

§ 25.22.010. Purpose.

The purpose of this chapter is to establish zoning districts in the City specifically reserved for public, institutional, and open space use and to provide a list of permitted uses and general development standards. These districts are consistent with and implement the City's General Plan as indicated in Table 25.04-1 (Zoning Districts).

(Ord. 1259 § 1, 2013; Ord. 1324 § 6, 2017)

§ 25.22.020. Characteristics of Special Districts.

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

  • A. Public/Institutional (P). The purpose and intent of the P district is to provide for the orderly establishment of public facilities, expansion of their operations, or change in the use of lands owned, leased, or otherwise controlled by governmental agencies and for the orderly establishment of quasi-public institutional uses that are compatible with, and support, surrounding land uses.

  • B. Open Space (OS). The open space district is intended to provide for areas reserved for parks, public or private recreation, protection of natural and developed open spaces, governmental public uses, or areas where a hazard to the public may exist.

  • (Ord. 1259 § 1, 2013; Ord. 1324 § 6, 2017)

§ 25.22.030. Allowed Land Uses and Permit Requirements.

Table 25.22-1 (Use Matrix for Special Districts) identifies allowed uses and corresponding permit requirements for the special districts and all other provisions of this title. Use regulations in the table are shown with representative symbols by use classification listing: "P" symbolizes uses permitted by right, "A" symbolizes uses that require approval of an administrative use permit, "C" symbolizes uses that require approval of a conditional use permit, and "N" symbolizes uses that are not permitted. 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 25.22-1: Use Matrix for Special Districts Table 25.22-1: Use Matrix for Special Districts Table 25.22-1: Use Matrix for Special Districts Table 25.22-1: Use Matrix for Special Districts
P=Permitted; A=Administrative Use Permit; C=Conditional
Use Permit; N=Not Permitted
Special Zoning District Special Use
Provisions
P OS
Residential Uses
Condominium
1
C N
Dwelling, duplex
1
C N
Dwelling, manufactured
1
C N
Dwelling, mobile home
1
C N
Dwelling, multifamily
1
C N
Dwelling, second
1
P N 25.34.030
Dwelling, single-family
1
C N
Farmworker housing
1
C N
Group home
1
C N
Planned unit development,
residential
1
C N
Recreation, Resource Preservation, Open Space, and Public Assembly Uses
Apiary A P
Botanical conservatory A P
Cemetery C C
Community facility C P
Crops and horticulture, limited C P
Historic landmark P P
Institution, educational C C
Table 25.22-1: Use Matrix for Special Districts Table 25.22-1: Use Matrix for Special Districts Table 25.22-1: Use Matrix for Special Districts Table 25.22-1: Use Matrix for Special Districts
--- --- --- ---
P=Permitted; A=Administrative Use Permit; C=Conditional
Use Permit; N=Not Permitted
Special Zoning District Special Use
Provisions
P OS
Institution, general C P
Institution, religious C N
Kennel C N
Library A P
Nursery N P
Orchard N P
Public park P P
Recreation facility, commercial C C
Recreation facility, private C N
Recreation facility, public C P
Stable, boarding N C
Utility, Transportation, Public Facility, and Communication Uses
Commercial communication
tower
C C 25.34.130
Electric substation C N
Fire station C P
Maintenance facility (public
only)
C C
Maintenance yard (public only) C C
Public service facility C P
Utility facility C C
Retail, Service, and Offce Uses
Medical, hospital C N
Offce, local government A P
Outdoor sales C N
Recording studio C N
Restaurant
2
N A

Notes:

  • 1 Government-supported, -funded and/or -operated only.

  • 2 Recreation-oriented restaurants, eating and drinking places.

  • (Ord. 1259 § 1, 2013; Ord. 1324 § 6, 2017)

§ 25.22.040. Development Standards.

The development standards in Table 25.22-2 (Special District Development Standards) are applicable to the special districts. These standards, along with other development standards (e.g., landscaping requirements, signs, and parking standards) in this ordinance, are intended to assist project designers in understanding the City's minimum requirements.

Table 25.22-2: Special District Development Standards Table 25.22-2: Special District Development Standards Table 25.22-2: Special District Development Standards
Special Zoning District
P OS
Dimensional Requirements
1
Lot area (minimum) None None
Yard requirements None None
Building height, max 35′ 30′

Notes:

  • 1 Additional requirements may be required as part of conditional use permit or administrative use permit approval.

  • (Ord. 1259 § 1, 2013; Ord. 1324 § 6, 2017)