Skip to content

Cathedral City · Building on your lot

Lot splits under SB 9 in Cathedral City

Cathedral City's own rules on lot splits under sb 9, with the code text for every value, and the state law underneath.

Ask about lot splits under sb 9 in Cathedral City See coverage

Each rule below links to the section of the Cathedral City Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Cathedral City's code says

Cathedral City code What Cathedral City's code adds
How the lot may be divided
  • Each new lot must be between 40% and 60% of the original lot's area.
    Applies: Each lot created by an urban lot split.
    § 9.116.110 · code text
    Each of the resulting lots must be between sixty percent and forty percent of the original lot area.
Minimum new lot size
  • Each new lot must be at least 1,200 square feet.
    Applies: Each lot created by an urban lot split.
    § 9.116.110 · code text
    Each resulting lot shall measure at least one thousand two hundred square feet in lot area.
Setbacks
  • Side and rear setbacks must be at least 4 feet.
    Applies: An SB 9 two-unit residential development.
    § 9.116.120 · code text
    Minimum side and rear yard setbacks for a SB 9 two-unit residential development shall be no less than four feet.
Standards
  • Each new lot must border the public right-of-way.
    Applies: Applies to urban lot splits.
    § 9.116.110 · code text
    Each resulting lot must adjoin the public right-of-way.
  • Each new lot needs at least 20 linear feet of frontage on a public street.
    § 9.116.110 · code text
    Each resulting lot must have frontage on the public street of at least twenty lineal feet.
  • No more than 2 primary homes on each new lot.
    Applies: Each lot created by an urban lot split.
    § 9.116.110 · code text
    No more than two primary dwelling units may be built on each resulting lot.
  • At least 500 square feet for a studio or 1-bedroom; at least 700 square feet for 2 or more bedrooms.
    Applies: Each new primary home.
    § 9.116.120 · code text
    Each new primary dwelling unit shall be at least the following minimum sizes based on the number of sleeping rooms provided:
  • At least 10 feet apart, or 5 feet if all structures are single-story and at most 16 feet tall.
    Applies: Detached homes and their covered parking.
    § 9.116.120 · code text
    Detached dwelling units and associated covered parking shall be a minimum of ten feet from each other unless all structures are single-story and not more than sixteen feet in height, in which case the minimum separation shall be five feet.
  • Lot coverage cannot exceed the underlying zone's maximum.
    Applies: SB 9 two-unit projects and urban lot split lots; not if it prevents up to 2 units or units of at least 800 square feet.
    § 9.116.120 · code text
    The maximum lot coverage shall not exceed the maximum coverage of the underlying zoning district, except where such coverage would physically preclude the construction of up to two units or physically preclude either of the two units from being at least eight hundred square feet in floor area.
  • Both primary homes must use the same colors and materials, including exterior walls, roof pitch and roofing.
    Applies: Applies to two-unit residential developments.
    § 9.116.120 · code text
    Both primary dwelling units in a SB 9 two-unit residential development shall utilize the same colors and materials, including the exterior walls, roof pitch and roofing material.
Owner occupancy
  • At least 3 years.
    Applies: Urban lot split: individual owners must live in 1 of the homes as their primary residence and legal domicile.
    § 9.116.120 · code text
    In the case of an urban lot split, expressly requires the individual property owners to live in one of the dwelling units on the lot as the owners' primary residence and legal domicile for a minimum of three years.
  • The owners must live in 1 of the homes on the lot as their primary residence and legal domicile.
    Applies: Two-unit projects or urban lot splits; required by a deed restriction.
    § 9.116.120 · code text
    Expressly requires the individual property owners to live in one of the dwelling units on the lot as the owners' primary residence and legal domicile.
Parking
  • 1 off-street parking space.
    Applies: Each new primary unit; not required within ½ mile walk of a high-quality transit corridor or major transit stop, or 1 block of car-share.
    § 9.116.120 · code text
    One off-street parking space shall be provided for each new primary dwelling unit unless one of the following applies:

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Can I split my lot under SB 9 in Cathedral City?

Cathedral City's code: Each new lot must be between 40% and 60% of the original lot's area. (Each lot created by an urban lot split.) (§ 9.116.110); Each new lot must be at least 1,200 square feet. (Each lot created by an urban lot split.) (§ 9.116.110).

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Cathedral City property

Ask GoCodebook how Cathedral City's lot splits under sb 9 rules apply to your situation and get an answer that cites the section.

Ask your question

More on building on your lot in Cathedral City

All building on your lot rules in Cathedral City

Cathedral City Municipal Code — full text