Chapter 92.00 — Zoning Regulations
§ 92.03
Palm Springs Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · Palm Springs
§ 92.03.00. "R-2" limited multiple-family residential zone. ¶
The R-2 zone is intended to provide for the development of medium-density multiple-family residential uses.
(Ord. 1294, 1988)
§ 92.03.01. Uses permitted. ¶
- A. Uses Permitted.
Building, structures and land shall be used and buildings and structures shall hereafter be erected, altered or enlarged only for the following uses. All uses shall be subject to the standards in Section 92.03.03.
Permanent single-family dwelling subject to the standards of the R-1-A zone (Section 92.01.00);
Multiple-family dwellings;
Hotels (provided that no more than 10% of the guest rooms contain kitchen facilities);
Accessory buildings and uses customarily incidental to the permitted uses and located on the same lot therewith;
Accessory dwelling units, subject to the requirements of Section 93.23.14;
Home occupations subject to the provisions of Chapter 5.22 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code;
Manufactured housing on permanent foundations as allowed in Section 65852.3 of the California Governmental Code and Section 18551 of the California Health and Safety Code; provided, the following criteria is met. In cases where one or more of these criteria cannot be met, such housing shall be subject to approval of the planning director pursuant to the provisions of Section 94.04.00, Architectural review:
a. Roofing materials shall comply with the Uniform Building Code and Uniform Building Code Standards as adopted by the city of Palm Springs and shall be limited to those customarily utilized in the desert,
b. Siding materials shall comply with the Uniform Building Code and Uniform Building Code Standards as adopted by the city of Palm Springs and shall be limited to those customarily utilized in the desert,
c. The unit shall not be greater than 10 years of age at the time it is placed on the lot,
d. The design of the residence shall be compatible with the surrounding neighborhood.
Day care, small or large;
- B. Similar Uses Permitted by Commission Determination.
The commission may, by resolution of record, permit any other uses which it may determine to be similar to those listed above and not more obnoxious or detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare or to other uses permitted in the zone, as provided in Section 94.01.00. All uses shall be subject to the standards in Section 92.03.03.
C. Uses Permitted by Land Use Permit.
- Childcare centers.
D. Uses Permitted by Conditional Use Permit.
The following uses may be permitted subject to approval of a conditional use permit, as provided in Section 94.02.00.
Assisted living facilities and convalescent homes, subject to the provisions of Section 94.02.00(H)(7);
Churches;
Country clubs, golf courses, tennis and swimming clubs;
Hospitals;
Hotels in which more than 10% of the guest rooms contain kitchen facilities;
Private education institutions;
Professional offices, provided:
a. The subject site must be located fronting on a major thoroughfare as indicated on the city's general plan,
b. The only allowable sign shall be an identification sign for the building complex, with public convenience signs as necessary,
c. All development standards of Section 92.08.03 can be met;
Off-site parking areas, not as an accessory to uses permitted in this zone. The property proposed for off-site parking use shall abut a commercial zone or on an alley which is the boundary with such zone, and extends not more than 150 feet from the boundary;
Public parks and recreation areas at locations indicated on the general plan;
Public schools at locations indicated on the general plan;
Restaurants, incidental or accessory to a hotel use, operated primarily for the convenience of guests, and occupying not more than 20% of the gross floor area of the hotel buildings;
Spas as an accessory use to a hotel subject to the following standards:
a. For hotels with under 50 rooms, the facility is to serve hotel guests only. Facilities located in hotels with more than 50 rooms and located on a major thoroughfare may be permitted to serve clients who are not hotel guests.
b. The hotel has a minimum of 15 guest rooms.
c. Staff shall be licensed and trained in the particular programs provided in accordance with Chapter 5.34 of the Municipal Code.
d. Such facility shall comply with Chapter 5.34 of the Municipal Code.
- Time-share and condominium hotel projects subject to the provisions of Section 93.23.11 and 93.23.12; provided, the subject site must be located fronting on a major or secondary thoroughfare as indicated on the city's general plan.
(Ord. 1347, 1990; Ord. 1418, 1992; Ord. 1551, 1998; Ord. 1553, 1998; Ord. 1590 § 5, 2000; Ord. 1875 § 3, 2015; Ord. 1936 § 2, 2017; Ord. 2020 §§ 14—16, 2020; Ord. 2063 §§ 7,8, 2022; Ord. 2076, 1/12/2023
§ 92.03.02. Uses prohibited. ¶
All uses and structures not permitted in Section 92.03.01 are deemed to be specifically prohibited. The following classifications of uses shall not be permitted in this zone by commission determination:
a. Commercial uses;
b. Industrial uses;
c. Mobilehome parks.
(Ord. 1294, 1988; Ord. 1553, 1998)
§ 92.03.03. Property development standards. ¶
The following property development standards shall apply to all land and buildings in the R-2 zone, except that any lot created in compliance with applicable laws and ordinances in effect at the time of its creation may be used as a building site.
- A. Lot Area.
Each lot shall have a minimum lot area of 20,000 square feet.
- B. Lot Dimensions.
All lots hereafter created shall comply with the following minimum standards and lots now held under separate ownership or of record shall not be reduced below these standards.
Width.
a. Interior lots shall have a minimum width of 130 feet.
b. Corner lots siding on a local/collector street shall have a minimum width of 140 feet.
c. Reversed corner lots siding on a local/collector street shall have a minimum width of 145 feet.
d. Corner or reversed corner lots siding on a state highway or major thoroughfare shall have a minimum width of 170 feet; corner or reversed corner lots siding on a secondary thoroughfare shall have a minimum width of 160 feet. When siding on a service road, it shall be not less than 130 feet.
e. Cul-de-sac or curve lots shall have an average width of 130 feet.
Depth.
a. Lots facing on a local/collector street shall have a minimum depth of 150 feet.
b. Lots facing on a major thoroughfare shall have a minimum depth of 175 feet; facing on a secondary thoroughfare shall have a minimum depth of 165 feet. When facing on a service road, it shall be not less than 130 feet.
c. Lots backing on a state highway or major thoroughfare shall have a minimum depth of 190 feet; lots backing on a secondary thoroughfare shall have a minimum depth of 180 feet.
- C. Density.
Density shall be consistent with the General Plan designation for the subject site.
- D. Building Height.
Buildings and structures erected in this zone shall have a height not greater than 24 feet and shall not exceed more than two stories. (See Yards (subsection E of this section) when R-2 property abuts R-1 property).
- E. Yards.
The provisions of the R-3 Zone, Section 92.04.03(E) shall apply, except as otherwise provided. For properties which front on Tahquitz Canyon Way, see Special setbacks, Section 93.01.02.
All buildings that exceed 15 feet in height shall be required to have a 25 foot setback from the property line of any existing adjacent single story development.
When R-2 zoned property abuts R-1 zoned property, all structures within 150 feet of the R-1 zone boundary line shall have a height of not greater than 15 feet and shall not exceed more than one story. This setback line may vary by 50 feet if the average setback is 150 feet and the planning commission determines that no detrimental effects will result.
- F. Distance Between Buildings.
The provisions of the R-3 zone, Section 92.04.03(F) shall apply.
G. Walls, Fences, Landscaping.
- Where an R-2 development abuts an R-1 zone, a masonry wall six feet in height and screen landscaping shall be erected and maintained between such uses and the R-1 zone.
H. Access.
The provisions of Section 93.05.00 shall apply.
- I. Off-street Parking.
The provisions of Section 93.06.00 shall apply.
- J. Off-street Loading and Trash Areas.
The provisions of Section 93.07.00 shall apply.
K. Signs.
The provisions of Section 93.20.00 shall apply.
- L. Coverage.
For R-2 developments that include any structures that exceed 18 feet in height and one story, lot area coverage for buildings or structures shall not exceed 30% of the total lot area.
- M. Antennas.
The provisions of Section 93.08.00 shall apply.
- N. Public Art.
The provisions of Section 93.11.00 shall apply. (Ord. 1294, 1988; Ord. 1553, 1998; Ord. 2041 § 6, 2021)
§ 92.03.04. Performance standards. ¶
The minimum of 50% of a site shall be developed as usable landscaped open space and outdoor living and recreation areas, with an adequate irrigation system. (Ord. 1294, 1988)
§ 92.03.05. Property maintenance standards. ¶
All properties shall be subject to property maintenance standards established in Section 93.19.00. (Ord. 1294, 1988)
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