Earlier editions: 2026-07
Title 15 — Building and Construction
Palm Desert Municipal Code Ch. 15.02 Administration
Palm Desert Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · Palm Desert
Cite as: Palm Desert Municipal Code Chapter 15.02 · Text as of 2026-10-04
§ 15.02.010. Adoption of Chapter 1, Division II, of the California Building Code.¶
Except as provided in this chapter, the entirety of Chapter 1, Division II, of the California Building Code, Title 24, Part 2 of the California Code of Regulations, 2025 Edition, as developed by the state of California, based on the 2024 International Building Code as published by the International Code Council, is adopted by reference shall become the administrative provisions of the city of Palm Desert for regulating the construction, erection, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, removal, demolition, conversion, occupancy, equipment, use and occupancy and maintenance of all buildings and/or structures in the city. The California Building Code, along with its adopted appendices and amendments, will be available for public examination in the offices of the building official.
(Ord. 1439, 1/8/2026)
§ 15.02.020. Amendments to Chapter 1, Division II, Scope and Administration.¶
A. Section 103.1 is amended to read as follows:
103.1 Creation of enforcement agency. The City of Palm Desert Building and Safety Division is hereby created, and the official in charge thereof shall be known as the Chief Building Official. The function of the agency shall be the implementation, administration, and enforcement of the provisions of this code.
B. Section 105.2 is amended by modifying Item 1 under Building, to read as follows:
- One-story detached light-framed structures accessory to a Group R-3 or U occupancy used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, trellis structures, gazebos, arbors, greenhouses, and similar uses where the gross floor area does not exceed 120 square feet as measured to the outside walls or support posts. It is permissible that these structures still be regulated by Part 7, the California Wildland Urban-Interface Code, despite the exemption from a permit.
C. Section 105.2 is amended by modifying Item 2 under Building, to read as follows:
- Wood, vinyl, or open wrought iron fences; block walls, pilasters, and gravity interlocking walls, that are not over 3 feet 6 inches (1,066.8 mm) high and not associated with a swimming pool or spa safety barrier. The City's Planning Division must approve the location and materials despite the exemption from a permit.
D. Section 105.2 is amended by modifying Item 4 under Building, to read as follows:
- Retaining walls of any type that are not over 3 feet 6 inches (1,066.8 mm) in height measured from the top of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a structure or landscaping surcharge or impounding Class I, II, or IIIA liquids. The City's Planning Division must approve the location and materials of all retaining walls despite the exemption from a permit.
E. Section 105.3.2 is amended to add a paragraph to the section that reads as follows:
A request for an extension after the application expiration date will be subject to any newly adopted laws, ordinances, and regulations that have become effective since the original application date.
F. Section 105.5 and 105.5.1 are amended to read as a single section as follows:
105.5 Expiration. Every permit issued shall become invalid unless the work on the site authorized by such permit is commenced within 12 months after its issuance, or if the work authorized on the site by such permit is suspended, abandoned, or without progress at time after the work is commenced for a period of 12 months after the time the work commenced. Progress shall further be defined as obtaining approval of one or more inspections required in accordance with Section 110 of this code.
Prior to a permit's expiration, the building official may grant, in writing, an extension of time for a period not to exceed 180 days. However, no permit shall be extended such that its term exceeds two years from the date of issuance, unless showing significant cause for the building official to review.
Where a permit has expired, a new permit shall be required, and the reactivation fee shall be 1/2 the amount required for a new permit for such work, provided no changes have been made or will be made in the original plans and specifications for such work, and provided further that such expiration has not exceeded one year.
Exception: Permits related to a code enforcement action may be set for expiration dates of less than 180 days and are subject to the discretion of the building official.
G. Section 105.8 is added and reads as follows:
105.8 Permit issuance restrictions. A permit shall not be issued for any work as outlined in the following subsections:
Note: A combination building permit may be issued for a single project when it contains more than one construction trade.
| (1) | Electrical or combination permits for R-3 and associated U occupancies. The installation of new or replacement electrical service panels, panelboards, or subpanels, and all associated electrical work in conjunction with said permit, shall only be issued to a California licensed contractor holding the appropriate specialty license or in compliance with the most current California State Licensing Board's requirements. |
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| (2) | Mechanical or combination permits for R-3 and associated U occupancies. The installation of new or replacement HVAC systems, which require the appropriate specialty license for the installation or replacement of refrigerant, shall only be issued to a California licensed contractor holding the appropriate specialty license or in compliance with the most current California State Licensing Board's requirements. |
| (3) | Electrical, mechanical, or plumbing permits, or combination permits of other than R-3 and associated U occupancies, shall only be issued to a California licensed contractor holding the appropriate specialty license or in compliance with the most current California State Licensing Board's requirements. |
H. Section 110.3.6, Lath and Gypsum Panel Product Inspection, is amended by deleting the exception.
I. Section 110.3.13 is added to read as follows:
110.3.13 Reinspections. A reinspection fee may be assessed for each inspection or reinspection under any of the following conditions:
| (1) | When an inspection is scheduled and the required work is not ready. |
|---|---|
| (2) | When corrections previously identified in a written correction notice have not been made. |
| (3) | When the approved plans are not readily available to the inspector at the time of the requested inspection. |
| (4) | When access to the job site is not available at the time of the inspection. |
| (5) | When there is a deviation from the approved plans related to the work to be inspected, and such deviation was not previously reviewed and approved by the building division. |
When a reinspection fee has been assessed, no additional inspection of the work will be performed until the required fee has been paid.
J. Section 111.3 is amended to read as follows:
111.3 Temporary Occupancy. The building official is authorized to issue a temporary certificate of occupancy before the completion of the entire work covered by the permit, provided that such portion or portions shall be occupied safely. The building official shall establish a 30-day time period during which the temporary certificate of occupancy is valid, with no more than two 30-day extensions. A Temporary Certificate of Occupancy shall have fee rates established by the City Council's resolution.
K. Section 111.4 is amended to read as follows:
111.4 Revocation. The building official is authorized to suspend or revoke a certificate of occupancy, a certificate of completion, or a temporary certificate of occupancy issued under the provisions of this code, in writing, for the following conditions:
| (1) | The certificate was issued in error by the City. |
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| (2) | The information supplied was incorrect. |
| (3) | The building or structure or portion thereof is in violation of the provisions of this code or other City ordinance. |
| (4) | A temporary certificate of occupancy has expired, or the renewal fee has not been paid. |
L. Section 113 is amended to read as follows:
113 Building Board of Appeals. Provisions for the means of appeal shall be set forth in Chapter 2.18 of the Palm Desert Municipal Code, Building Board of Appeals.
M. Section 114.4 is amended to read as follows:
114.4, Violation Penalties, to read as follows: Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions, regulations, requirements, additions, amendments and/or deletions of this code is guilty of a misdemeanor and the penalty for such a misdemeanor shall be as set forth in Chapter 1.12 of the Palm Desert Municipal Code.
(Ord. 1439, 1/8/2026)
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