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Chapter 15.14 — REQUIRED USE OF SEWERS

Palm Springs Municipal Code · 2026-07 edition · updated 2026-09-27 · Palm Springs

§ 15.14.010. Sewers required for new construction.

  • (a) No person shall construct a building without connecting such building to a public sewer, unless an exemption is granted by this chapter, the city manager or the city council.

  • (b) Exemptions.

    • (1) Buildings constructed without plumbing and thereafter utilizing no plumbing are exempt.

    • (2) An exemption may be granted by the city engineer in any case where the development involves a single-family dwelling on a lot of record and the distance from the lot line to the public sewer is greater than 500 feet. Although such an exemption is granted, the maximum residential connection fee shall be paid prior to the issuance of a building permit. At the time of eventual connection of a dwelling given initial exemption under the terms of this subsection, any portion of the maximum residential connection fee that has been paid which is found to exceed the sewer connection fee schedule of charges currently applicable at the time to residences shall be refundable.

    • (3) An exemption may be granted by the city manager in any case where unusual topographical or other terrain conditions exist which make the connection to the public sewer impractical, unreasonable, unfeasible or impose extreme economic hardship upon the property owner if he or she is required to connect such building to the public sewer system. It shall be the responsibility of the applicant for such exemption to provide to the city manager such as data or proof as the manager deems necessary, including, but not limited to, engineering cost estimates and feasibility reports, to substantiate any such application.

    • (4) In any case where an exemption cannot be granted pursuant to subdivisions (2) or (3) of this subsection, an exemption may be granted by the city manager whenever the city council has by resolution or ordinance declared that the city's central sewage treatment facilities are incapable of serving the area involved. A condition of any such exemption shall be that the maximum sewer connection fee (otherwise applicable) shall be paid at or prior to the time of issuance of building permit(s). A further condition shall be that there be installed (at the usual time this would otherwise occur incidental to development) all sewerage lines, laterals, mains and facilities which would otherwise be needed or required were the development to be connected to a public sewer, except that the same shall not be physically connected to the public system until the city has given notice at a later time that this will be done. The capping off of the said "dry" lines and facilities, and distances such lines and facilities shall be kept from the public mains, shall be as reasonably prescribed by the city engineer.

    • (5) Any exemption granted under the provisions of this section shall require that during the exemption period, the building or development involved shall be properly and adequately sewered with a private sewer system designed, constructed, installed, and maintained to standards approved by the city engineer and the Riverside County health department, and additionally in the case of developments of five or more units, to standards and technical requirements prescribed after review by the Desert Water

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City of Palm Springs, CA § 15.14.010

PALM SPRINGS CODE

§ 15.14.030

  • Agency and the Regional Water Quality Control Board. An additional condition to the granting of any exemption pursuant to subdivision (2) or (4) of this subsection shall be the recording of a covenant running with the land that, within one year after official notice, in the case of subsection (2) exemptions, that an operating public sewer has been completed within 500 feet of the permittee's lot line, or within 90 days after official notice, in the case of subsection (4) exemptions, that the central treatment facilities are capable of serving the area, the permittee (or then owner of record) will extend the private lines the necessary distance and connect to the public system. Any such covenant shall also contain an appropriate and reasonable commitment that the permittee (and successors in interest) will cooperate and participate in any future assessment district proceeding designed to provide adequate public sewerage mains and facilities to serve the area in which the permittee's land is located.

  • (Ord. 982 § 1, 1974; Ord. 1001 § 1, 1975; Ord. 1084 § 1, 1979; Ord. 2088, 11/9/2023)

§ 15.14.020. Connection of existing buildings.

  • (a) All buildings existing, or for which a building permit has been issued, before January 1, 1975, with plumbing of any kind shall be connected to a public sewer on or before December 31, 1983, unless an exemption is granted by this chapter or by the city council.

  • (b) Exemptions.

    • (1) Buildings constructed without plumbing and thereafter utilizing no plumbing are exempt.

    • (2) An exemption may be granted by the city council in any case (in the sole judgment of the council) as to an existing building where unusual topographical or other terrain conditions exist which make the connection to the public sewer impractical, unreasonable, unfeasible or impose extreme economic hardship upon the property owner if he is required to connect such building to the public sewer system. It shall be the responsibility of the applicant for such exemption to provide to the city council such data or proof as the council deems necessary, including, but not limited to, engineering cost estimates and feasibility reports, to substantiate any such application.

    • (3) Any exemption granted under the provisions of this section shall require that the exempt building shall be properly and adequately sewered with a private sewer system designed, constructed and installed to standards approved by the city engineer.

  • (4) Existing buildings with private sewage disposal systems previously exempted from connection to the public sewer under this chapter shall be required to connect to the public sewer when public sewer is available within 500 feet of the property to be served and either of the following conditions occurs: (i) the private sewer system fails, or (ii) expansion or reconstruction of the private sewer systems is necessary, provided no conditions for exemptions contained in this chapter have been met.

  • (Ord. 982 § 1, 1974; Ord. 1630 § 1, 2003)

§ 15.14.030. Issuance of permit.

Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no permit, approval or entitlement shall be issued for the construction of any building on any lot or any parcel of land unless the plans and specifications show connection(s) to a public sewer, and the permit, approval or entitlement so

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City of Palm Springs, CA

WATER AND SEWERS

§ 15.14.040

§ 15.14.030

requires. (Ord. 982 § 1, 1974)

§ 15.14.040. Unlawful to occupy.

The use or occupation of any building not connected to a sewer as required by this chapter is unlawful and a public nuisance.

(Ord. 982 § 1, 1974; Ord. 1205 § 2, 1983)

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City of Palm Springs, CA

WATER AND SEWERS

§ 15.16.010

§ 15.16.010

CHAPTER 15.16 CONSTRUCTION

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▸Contents — Palm Springs Municipal Code
Palm Springs Municipal Code
  1. Article IV — CITY COUNCIL APPOINTED OFFICERS; CITY MANAGER AND…
  2. Article V — OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES
  3. Article VII — PERSONNEL SYSTEM
  4. Title 1
  5. Title 2
  6. Chapter 2.02 — MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS
  7. Chapter 2.04 — COUNCIL
  8. Chapter 2.05 — APPEAL TO CITY COUNCIL
  9. Chapter 2.06
  10. Chapter 2.08 — CITY MANAGER
  11. Chapter 2.12
  12. Chapter 2.16
  13. Chapter 2.18 — PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
  14. Chapter 2.20 — DISASTER COUNCIL
  15. Chapter 2.22 — VILLAGEFEST BOARD
  16. Chapter 2.24 — PUBLIC ARTS COMMISSION
  17. Chapter 2.28 — SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION
  18. Chapter 2.29 — PLANNING COMMISSION
  19. Chapter 2.32 — PUBLIC LIBRARY
  20. Chapter 2.40 — PERSONNEL
  21. Chapter 2.45 — HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
  22. Chapter 2.50 — ADMINISTRATIVE APPEALS BOARD
  23. Chapter 2.55 — OFFICE OF NEIGHBORHOODS
  24. Chapter 2.59
  25. Chapter 2.60 — PUBLIC INTEGRITY
  26. Chapter 2.65 — COMMERCIAL DISTRICT FORMATION
  27. Title 3
  28. Chapter 3.35 — CANNABIS AND MARIJUANA TAX
  29. Chapter 3.04 — FUNDS
  30. Chapter 3.08 — INVESTMENT OF MONEYS AND FUNDS
  31. Chapter 3.16
  32. Chapter 3.22 — SALES AND USE TAX
  33. Article II — Transactions and Use Tax (Measure D)
  34. Chapter 3.24 — TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX
  35. Chapter 3.29
  36. Chapter 3.30
  37. Chapter 3.32 — UTILITY USER TAX
  38. Chapter 3.34 — PARKING TAX
  39. Chapter 3.36
  40. Chapter 3.37 — PUBLIC ARTS FEE, FUND AND PROGRAM
  41. Chapter 3.38 — JOB CREATION INCENTIVE PROGRAM
  42. Chapter 3.40 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
  43. Chapter 3.48 — REQUIREMENTS—EXEMPTIONS
  44. Chapter 3.52 — ISSUANCE OF LICENSES
  45. Chapter 3.56 — PAYMENT—COLLECTION
  46. Chapter 3.60 — ASSESSMENTS IN CERTAIN CASES
  47. Chapter 3.64 — ENFORCEMENT
  48. Chapter 3.72 — RECORDS CONFIDENTIAL
  49. Chapter 3.76 — VIOLATIONS
  50. Chapter 3.80 — BUSINESS LICENSE TAX RATES—GENERALLY
  51. Chapter 3.84 — FIXED LICENSE RATES
  52. Chapter 3.88 — GRADUATED SCALE TAX RATES
  53. Chapter 3.90 — GRADUATED SCALE WITH MINIMUM TAX
  54. Chapter 3.94
  55. Chapter 3.96 — LICENSE TAXES COMPUTED ON GROSS RECEIPTS BASIS
  56. Title 4
  57. Chapter 4.04 — RENT REVIEW COMMISSION
  58. Chapter 4.10 — RENT STABILIZATION
  59. Title 5
  60. Chapter 5.02 — SECURITY ALARM SYSTEMS
  61. Chapter 5.03
  62. Chapter 5.04 — AUCTION SALES
  63. Chapter 5.08 — CABARETS
  64. Chapter 5.20 — HANDBILLS
  65. Chapter 5.22 — HOME OCCUPATIONS
  66. Chapter 5.24 — HOTEL REGISTRATION
  67. Chapter 5.25 — VACATION RENTALS
  68. Chapter 5.26 — HOTEL OPERATIONS INCENTIVE PROGRAM
  69. Chapter 5.27 — HOTEL OPERATIONS INCENTIVE PROGRAM
  70. Chapter 5.28 — ICE VENDING MACHINES
  71. Chapter 5.36 — NOVELTY SALES AT SPECIAL EVENTS
  72. Chapter 5.38 — MANAGED PARKING
  73. Chapter 5.40 — PASSENGER CARRIERS
  74. Article I — General Provisions
  75. Article II — Pedicab Owners
  76. Article III — Pedicab Drivers
  77. Article IV — Pedicab Vehicles
  78. Article V
  79. Article VI
  80. Article VII — Enforcement
  81. Article VIII
  82. Chapter 5.42 — ESCORTS AND ESCORT BUREAUS
  83. Chapter 5.44
  84. Chapter 5.48
  85. Chapter 5.52 — PRIVATE PATROLS
  86. Chapter 5.55
  87. Chapter 5.56 — PSYCHIC ACTIVITIES
  88. Chapter 5.58 — GARAGE, PATIO AND YARD SALES
  89. Chapter 5.60 — BUSINESS CLOSING SALES
  90. Chapter 5.64 — SEARCHLIGHT OPERATIONS
  91. Chapter 5.68 — SOUND TRUCKS
  92. Chapter 5.72 — MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESSES REGULATED
  93. Chapter 5.75 — EVENT HOUSES
  94. Chapter 5.76
  95. Chapter 5.77
  96. Chapter 5.78 — LANDSCAPE RELATED BUSINESSES
  97. Chapter 5.79 — STATE VIDEO FRANCHISE HOLDERS
  98. Chapter 5.81
  99. Chapter 5.83
  100. Chapter 5.85
  101. Chapter 5.87
  102. Chapter 5.89 — SIDEWALK VENDING
  103. Chapter 5.91
  104. Chapter 5.92 — CO-OWNED MANAGED HOUSING
  105. Title 6
  106. Chapter 6.04 — WASTE DISPOSAL AND DIVERSION
  107. Chapter 6.05
  108. Chapter 6.06 — RESTAURANT INSPECTION AND GRADING
  109. Chapter 6.07 — REGULATION OF FOOD HANDLERS
  110. Chapter 6.08 — NUISANCES
  111. Chapter 6.09
  112. Chapter 6.10
  113. Chapter 6.11 — TOBACCO RETAILER PERMITS
  114. Chapter 6.12
  115. Chapter 6.14 — PUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS AND SPAS
  116. Chapter 6.15 — MOBILE FOOD VENDING VEHICLES
  117. Title 7
  118. Chapter 7.07 — CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION
  119. Chapter 7.01 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
  120. Chapter 7.03 — PROCUREMENT REQUIREMENTS
  121. Chapter 7.04 — PROCUREMENT EXEMPTIONS
  122. Chapter 7.05 — CONTRACTS
  123. Chapter 7.06 — CONTRACT CHANGES
  124. Chapter 7.07 — CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION
  125. Chapter 7.08 — DISPOSITION OF SURPLUS PROPERTY
  126. Title 8
  127. Article I — Building Codes
  128. Article II — Building Security Regulations
  129. Article III
  130. Article IV — Palm Springs Building Administrative Code
  131. Article V — Undergrounding of Utilities
  132. Article VI — Fire Code
  133. Article VIII — Displacement Payments to Tenants
  134. Article IX
  135. Article I — General Provisions
  136. Article II
  137. Article III
  138. Article IV
  139. Article V — Historic Preservation on Tribal Lands
  140. Chapter 8.30 — MUNICIPAL SOLAR UTILITY
  141. Chapter 8.32 — MSU LEASEHOLD MARKETING
  142. Chapter 8.40
  143. Chapter 8.50 — FUGITIVE DUST CONTROL
  144. Chapter 8.60 — WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPING
  145. Chapter 8.68 — FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION
  146. Chapter 8.70 — STORMWATER MANAGEMENT AND DISCHARGE CONTROLS
  147. Chapter 8.80 — VACANT BUILDINGS AND BOARDING REGULATIONS
  148. Chapter 8.90 — TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM MITIGATION FEE
  149. Chapter 8.95 — MSHCP MITIGATION FEE
  150. Chapter 8.100
  151. Chapter 8.105 — ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION STREAMLINED …
  152. Title 9
  153. Chapter 9.60 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
  154. Chapter 9.65 — IMPROVEMENT SECURITY
  155. Chapter 9.66 — REVERSIONS
  156. Chapter 9.67 — ENFORCEMENT—JUDICIAL REVIEW
  157. Chapter 9.68 — VESTING TENTATIVE MAPS
  158. Chapter 9.69 — CANYON AREA IMPACT FEES
  159. Title 10
  160. Chapter 10.04 — DEFINITIONS
  161. Chapter 10.18 — DANGEROUS AND VICIOUS ANIMALS
  162. Chapter 10.12 — ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER
  163. Chapter 10.18 — DANGEROUS AND VICIOUS ANIMALS
  164. Chapter 10.22 — UNATTENDED ANIMALS IN ENCLOSED VEHICLES
  165. Title 11
  166. Chapter 11.08 — DISORDERLY CONDUCT
  167. Chapter 11.76 — UNCLAIMED PROPERTY
  168. Chapter 11.03 — PUBLIC SAFETY RADIO SYSTEM COVERAGE
  169. Chapter 11.04 — UNSAFE CONDUCT
  170. Chapter 11.06
  171. Chapter 11.08 — DISORDERLY CONDUCT
  172. Chapter 11.10 — PUBLIC NUDITY
  173. Chapter 11.13 — BINGO PERMITS
  174. Chapter 11.20 — EXPLOSIVES
  175. Chapter 11.28 — CIVIL DISPUTES
  176. Chapter 11.30 — MUNICIPAL BUS SYSTEM
  177. Chapter 11.32 — MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE
  178. Chapter 11.36 — WILDLIFE PROTECTION
  179. Chapter 11.40 — ENCAMPMENTS ON PUBLIC PROPERTY
  180. Chapter 11.44 — PARKS AND RECREATION AREAS
  181. Chapter 11.48 — SCHOOL GROUNDS
  182. Chapter 11.56 — CURFEW AND TRUANCY
  183. Chapter 11.60 — OCCUPANCY OF HOTEL ROOMS BY MINORS
  184. Chapter 11.64 — TRESPASS
  185. Chapter 11.70 — GRAFFITI
  186. Chapter 11.72 — PUBLIC NUISANCES
  187. Chapter 11.74 — NOISE ORDINANCE
  188. Chapter 11.76 — UNCLAIMED PROPERTY
  189. Chapter 11.80 — ABANDONED VEHICLES
  190. Chapter 11.82 — POLICE TOW SERVICES STANDARDS
  191. Chapter 11.84 — FALSE STATEMENTS
  192. Chapter 11.88 — TAPPING TELEVISION CABLES
  193. Chapter 11.90
  194. Chapter 11.96
  195. Chapter 11.100 — ABANDONMENT OF SHOPPING CARTS
  196. Chapter 11.102
  197. Title 12
  198. Chapter 12.08 — ADMINISTRATION
  199. Chapter 12.24 — TURNING MOVEMENTS
  200. Chapter 12.12 — ENFORCEMENT—OBEDIENCE
  201. Chapter 12.16 — TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES
  202. Chapter 12.20 — SPECIAL SPEED ZONES
  203. Chapter 12.24 — TURNING MOVEMENTS
  204. Chapter 12.28 — STOPPING, STANDING AND PARKING
  205. Chapter 12.40 — MUNICIPAL AIRPORT LOT NO. 3
  206. Chapter 12.44 — STOP INTERSECTIONS
  207. Chapter 12.48 — YIELD RIGHT-OF-WAY SIGNS
  208. Chapter 12.52 — ONE-WAY STREETS AND ALLEYS
  209. Chapter 12.56 — RESTRICTED USE OF CERTAIN STREETS
  210. Chapter 12.60 — LOADING ZONES
  211. Chapter 12.64 — DRIVING RULES
  212. Chapter 12.68 — PEDESTRIANS
  213. Chapter 12.80 — TEMPORARY STREET CLOSURE NECESSITATED BY ASSEM…
  214. Chapter 12.84 — GOLF CARTS
  215. Chapter 12.90
  216. Title 14
  217. Chapter 14.04 — STREET NUMBERS
  218. Chapter 14.08 — STREET NAME CHANGES
  219. Chapter 14.12 — STREET NAMES FOR TRAILER PARKS
  220. Chapter 14.16 — ENCROACHMENTS
  221. Chapter 14.20 — MOVING BUILDINGS
  222. Chapter 14.24 — WATER AND RUBBISH IN STREETS
  223. Chapter 14.26
  224. Chapter 14.28 — WIRELESS FACILITIES IN THE PUBLIC RIGHTS-OF-WAY
  225. Title 15
  226. Chapter 15.08 — DEFINITIONS
  227. Chapter 15.14 — REQUIRED USE OF SEWERS
  228. Chapter 15.04 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
  229. Chapter 15.12 — ENFORCEMENT
  230. ▸Chapter 15.14 — REQUIRED USE OF SEWERS
    Overview
    1. 15.16 — CONSTRUCTION
    2. 15.20 — CONNECTIONS
    3. 15.24 — FEES
  231. Chapter 15.28 — SEWER USE REGULATIONS
  232. Chapter 15.32 — REGULATION OF WATER WELLS
  233. Title 16
  234. Chapter 16.02
  235. Chapter 16.04 — GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS
  236. Chapter 16.06
  237. Chapter 16.08 — FIXED BASE OPERATOR
  238. Chapter 16.10
  239. Chapter 16.12
  240. Chapter 16.14
  241. Chapter 16.16
  242. Chapter 16.18
  243. Chapter 16.20 — AIRCRAFT STORAGE OPERATOR (SASO)
  244. Chapter 16.22
  245. Chapter 16.24
  246. Chapter 16.26
  247. Chapter 16.28
  248. Chapter 16.30 — PRIVATE FLYING CLUB
  249. Chapter 16.32
  250. Chapter 16.34
  251. Chapter 16.36
  252. Chapter 16.37
  253. Chapter 16.38
  254. Chapter 16.39
  255. Chapter 16.40
  256. Title CR
  257. Chapter 91.00
  258. Chapter 92.00
  259. Chapter 93.00
  260. Chapter 94.00

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