Desert Hot Springs · Land use · Single-family home
Where is a single-family home allowed in Desert Hot Springs?
In Desert Hot Springs, a single-family home is allowed in 6 base zones (R-RD, R-L, R-M, R-H, MU-N and 1 more) and not allowed in 7 (Desert Hot Springs use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: R-RD, R-L, R-M, R-H, MU-N and VS-M
- Not allowed: C-N, C-G, C-D, C-H, C-BP, MU-C and VS-C
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Desert Hot Springs Municipal Code use tables (read October 2026). Base zones only. General information, not legal advice — check with the city before you apply.
Zones where a single-family home can go
Desert Hot Springs's code calls this use “Dwelling, Single-Family”. Each row links to the use table it comes from. A zone marked “see note” has a condition in the code, for example upper floors only or a larger lot.
| Zone | Status | Code |
|---|---|---|
| R-RD | Allowed | § 17.08.030 |
| R-L | Allowed | § 17.08.030 |
| R-M | Allowed | § 17.08.030 |
| R-H | Allowed | § 17.08.030 |
| MU-N | Allowed | § 17.14.020 |
| VS-M Visitor-Serving Medium | Allowed | § 17.18.020 |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- "SB 9 Single-Family Dwelling Unit" row (S1) is separate (R-RD P, R-L P, R-M -, R-H -). Starred rows point to code sections in the last column (17.08.040, 17.12.330).
- State law: State law lets most single-family lots add an ADU and a JADU (California ADU law) and a second home or a lot split under SB 9 (Gov. Code § 65852.21).
- Not covered here: Specific plan tables (S13-S17: Desert Gateway, Coachillin', Planning areas PA-1/PA-2, Desert Storage, Pierson Commercial) treated as non-base; SPA-1-02 district (S8) and PD district (S9): uses by list or case by case; Public Use Districts: zone code not given in the text; Zone names for all base codes are not stated in the packet. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Desert Hot Springs
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a single-family home in the C-N zone in Desert Hot Springs?
No. Desert Hot Springs's use table does not allow it in C-N (Commercial Neighborhood) (§ 17.12.020).
Can I have a single-family home in the R-RD zone in Desert Hot Springs?
Yes. Desert Hot Springs's use table lists it as allowed in R-RD (§ 17.08.030).
General information, not legal advice.
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