Desert Hot Springs — Zoning

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page explains how the City of Desert Hot Springs organizes land use through its Zoning Ordinance (Title 17) and the Official Land Use Zoning District Map. It covers the actual local district names used in the code, how boundaries are interpreted, and the most decision-relevant development rules (setbacks, height, lot/density, and permitted uses) as found in the City’s adopted zoning ordinance. For map, district-boundary interpretation, and General Plan consistency, see § 17.04.060 and § 17.04.030 .

Note: this page stays focused on what the City’s zoning ordinance says about zoning. For building code and construction standards see the California Building Standards Code. For related topics you will see linked resources below when first mentioned in the text: Development Standards, Parking, Design Review, Overlay Districts, Landscaping and Screening, and ADUs.

The legal framework (short)

• Title 17 is the City’s zoning ordinance (the code is explicitly titled "City of Desert Hot Springs Zoning Ordinance, Title 17") and must be read consistently with the General Plan; when conflicts exist the General Plan controls. § 17.04.010 and § 17.04.030 govern this relationship .
• The City establishes an Official Land Use Zoning District Map; boundaries and interpretation rules (centerline of streets, lot lines, Director determinations) are in § 17.04.060 .
• Prezoning, annexation, and General Plan amendment processes reference Chapter 17.100 (General Plan Amendments) when map changes are needed. Notation of that procedure is in § 17.04.060(B) .

Zoning districts — district-by-district breakdown

Title 17 explicitly creates a set of land use districts. The ordinance lists the district names in § 17.04.060; the table below and the subsections that follow synthesize the ordinance text and tables that apply to each district. See § 17.04.060 for the district list and Official Map adoption rules .

The districts declared in the code include (bold used per requirement): R-RD, R-L, R-M, R-H, C-N, C-D, C-G, C-H, MU-N, MU-C, I-L, I-E, P, SP, OS-C, OS-R, OS-P, VS-C, VS-M (plus Specific Plans such as Coachillin’, Desert Land Ventures, Rancho Royale, and other specific-plan overlays defined in separate chapters). See § 17.04.060 and the specific-plan chapters (e.g., Chapters 17.200, 17.210, 17.250) for plan-level rules .

How to read the below subsections

Each district subsection lists the ordinance-stated purpose (where present), typical permitted/conditional uses from the applicable use tables, key dimensional rules or references to the development-standards tables, and notes about the spatial application (where the district applies or how boundaries are determined).

R-RD (Residential Rural)

• Purpose / where used: rural residential lots; used where very low density or formerly County rural-residential designations remain (see specific-plan conversions in some areas) — district established in § 17.04.060 .
• Typical permitted uses: single-family dwellings; limited accessory uses such as small agricultural/animal-keeping uses where listed in the residential permitted uses table (Table 17.08.01) .
• Key dimensional standards: where the ordinance lists residential development standards it references Table 17.08.02 (residential standards) — minimum lot size and setbacks vary by residential district; for exact R‑RD minimum lot size and setbacks the code cross‑references Table 17.08.02 and related subsections (see § 17.08.040 and Table 17.08.02) .
• Where it applies: shown on the Official Land Use Zoning District Map on file with the City Clerk; boundary interpretation rules are in § 17.04.060(C) .

R-L (Residential Low)

• Purpose: lower-density residential neighborhoods intended to preserve single‑family character; established in § 17.04.060 .
• Typical permitted uses: single-family dwellings (permitted); accessory dwelling units and junior ADUs are regulated under the residential uses table and ADU chapter references — see Table 17.08.01 and § 17.08.040; ADU program cross-references may appear elsewhere (see ADUs) .
• Dimensional highlights: consult Table 17.08.02 for front/side/rear setbacks, maximum heights (detached residential accessory structures typically 30 ft), minimum lot sizes and unit sizes; building height measurement rules are in § 17.40.160 where referenced by residential tables .

R-M (Residential Medium Density) and R-H (Residential High Density)

• Purpose: higher-density housing forms; permitted uses include multifamily dwellings, emergency shelters where listed (see Table 17.08.01) and related residential support uses .
• Typical uses and permitting: multi‑unit housing appears in the residential permitted‑uses table; allowed densities are indicated by the district name (R‑M = medium, R‑H = high) and by specific density numbers in the ordinance (e.g., references to density figures in Table text). For exact unit density limits and open-space requirements consult Table 17.08.02 and Section 17.08.040 .
• Dimensional standards: Table 17.08.02 provides maximum heights (often 55 ft for multi-family) and minimum open-space requirements for R‑M/R‑H; see § 17.08.040 and Table 17.08.02 for the controlling numbers .

C-N, C-D, C-G, C-H (Commercial districts)

• Purpose: neighborhood, downtown, general, and highway commercial districts, respectively; established in § 17.04.060 and implemented through the commercial district chapters (see Chapter 17.12) .
• Typical permitted uses: retail shops, restaurants (with/without alcohol subject to CUP in some districts), service uses, offices, and visitor-serving uses — see the commercial use tables in Chapter 17.12 and specific-plan commercial tables where applicable .
• Key dimensional standards: commercial development standards are set out in Chapter 17.12 and in referenced tables (see Table citations in the specific-plan chapters). Parking for commercial uses defaults to Chapter 17.48 Parking unless otherwise specified and is referenced directly in the specific-plan tables .
• Where it applies: along the City’s commercially designated corridors as shown on the Official Land Use Zoning District Map; downtown-specific nuances are in the C‑D tables (see Chapter 17.12) .

MU-N and MU-C (Mixed-Use Neighborhood and Corridor)

• Purpose: to allow integration of residential and commercial uses at neighborhood and corridor scales to encourage infill and walkable development (Title 17’s purpose language supports mixed-use objectives) .
• Typical uses: ground-floor retail or services with housing above, offices, and small-scale visitor-serving uses as listed in MU use tables and specific plan tables (see specific-plan chapters where MU designations are used) .
• Dimensional standards: Mixed-use development standards are in the applicable district tables and in the specific plan or Chapter 17.12; where the ordinance implements a specific plan (e.g., Desert Storage SP) the specific‑plan tables override general MU standards (see Chapters 17.250, 17.200) .

I-L (Industrial Light) and I-E (Energy Production / Industrial-Energy)

• Purpose: accommodate light-industrial, logistics, processing, and energy production facilities; I‑E specifically accommodates energy production uses and related facilities (see § 17.04.060 and industrial district chapters) .
• Typical uses: warehouses, light manufacturing, utilities, and a suite of cannabis-related industrial uses where permitted by overlay/cannabis rules; many industrial uses require design review or CUP per the industrial use tables (see Chapters 17.16, specific-plan I-L tables) .
• Standards: industrial dimensional standards are in Chapter 17.16 (see Table references and cross‑references to parking Chapter 17.48) — maximum heights and lot coverage vary by area and specific plan; specific-plan areas may impose different FARs and setbacks (see Chapters 17.210, 17.250) .

OS-C, OS-R, OS-P (Open Space — Conservation, Recreation, Private)

• Purpose: preserve habitat, parks, and private open space as described in § 17.20.010–§ 17.20.020; OS‑C is conservation-focused and discourages pedestrian access within sensitive habitat areas, OS‑R supports parks/recreation, OS‑P covers private recreation and open-space amenities .
• Uses: limited—wildlife refuges and passive open space are permitted in OS‑C; recreational fields and park uses are listed in OS‑R; see Table 17.20.01 for the permitted/conditional uses and permit keys (P / CUP / TUP) .

VS-C and VS-M (Visitor-Serving Commercial and Visitor-Serving Mixed-Use)

• Purpose: support the City’s resort and visitor-serving economy (motels, spas, hotels, related retail) — referenced in the district list and in specific plan/visitor-serving use tables .
• Typical uses and standards: hotel/motel uses, spas, and related services; many visitor-serving uses are permitted in defined parcels or subject to CUP/design review depending on location and parcel (see use tables and specific-plan parcel rules) .

P (Public/Institutional) and SP (Specific Plan Overlay)

• P: public and quasi-public facilities; uses and standards vary by parcel; see district list in § 17.04.060 .
• SP: Specific Plan Overlay zones (e.g., Coachillin’, Desert Land Ventures, Rancho Royale, Desert Storage, Desert Gateway) use their own tables and development standards which supersede or refine general Title 17 standards where noted — see Chapters 17.200, 17.210, 17.250, 17.190, and 17.28; Specific Plans include their own permitted-use keys and review procedures (DR, CUP, RP, JPR) .

Quick decision table (most-applicable standards / uses)

Checklist — what an applicant must satisfy (high-level)

• Confirm current Official Land Use Zoning District Map designation at the Community Development counter or City Clerk and read the district listing in § 17.04.060 .
• Check permitted uses in the applicable district use table (e.g., Table 17.08.01 for residential, Chapter 17.12 tables for commercial) and note whether the proposed use is P, A, CUP, AUP, or TUP; Director may rule on similar uses if not listed .
• Confirm dimensional standards in the applicable development-standards table (Table 17.08.02 for residential, Chapter 17.12 or specific plan tables for commercial and SP areas); note height rules and measurement methods in § 17.40.160 where referenced .
• Meet landscaping minimums per Table 17.56.01 and include irrigation and maintenance plan as required in § 17.56.040 .
• Provide off‑street parking consistent with Chapter 17.48 or the specific‑plan parking table that applies to the parcel (verify which applies) .
• If the parcel is inside a Specific Plan area (Coachillin’, Desert Land Ventures, Desert Storage, Rancho Royale, etc.), follow that Specific Plan’s permitted‑use table and development standards; Specific Plan rules prevail where conflicts exist (see Chapters 17.200, 17.210, 17.250, 17.28) .
• Determine whether Design Review, Conditional Use Permit, Development Permit, or other discretionary approvals are required and prepare findings/materials per the chapters cited (e.g., § 17.80.040, § 17.76.050, Chapter 17.92) .

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English Summary

Desert Hot Springs’ zoning (Title 17) divides the city into named districts (for example R‑L, C‑G, MU‑C, I‑L, and various OS and Specific Plan overlays). Each district has its own permitted-use table and development-standards table (setbacks, heights, parking rules). Special-plan areas and specific-plan tables can override the base zoning, and the City’s Official Land Use Zoning District Map and map‑interpretation rules in the code determine exactly which rules apply to each parcel — verify the map and applicable specific-plan chapter for your parcel before you design or apply. See § 17.04.060, Table 17.08.01, Table 17.08.02, Chapter 17.48, and Table 17.56.01 for the controlling listings and standards .

Information Gaps

• The uploaded materials describe many district tables and specific-plan tables but do not always include every numeric value for each district in a single, consolidated place. For some districts the precise numeric minimum lot sizes or front-yard dimensions must be read directly from the full table for that district or from the applicable Specific Plan chapter. Confirm the full table entry for any parcel‑level question (Verify with the jurisdiction).
• The Official Land Use Zoning District Map image referenced by the code is described as "on file with the City Clerk"; the uploaded file excerpts do not include a full, zoomable map graphic or parcel-specific map coordinates. Verify zoning for a parcel with City staff.
• Current fee schedules, filing forms, and exact checklist submittal requirements (plans, environmental review thresholds) were not part of the retrieved ordinance excerpts. These are administered by the Community Development Department — Verify with the jurisdiction.

Source References

• Title 17, City of Desert Hot Springs Zoning Ordinance — Title statement and purpose: § 17.04.010, § 17.04.020 .
• Establishment of zoning districts and Official Land Use Zoning District Map: § 17.04.060 .
• Authority & General Plan consistency: § 17.04.030 .
• Residential permitted uses and development standards: Table 17.08.01, § 17.08.040, and Table 17.08.02 (standards: setbacks, heights, open space) .
• Specific Plans (Coachillin’, Desert Land Ventures, Desert Storage, Rancho Royale, Desert Gateway): Chapters 17.200, 17.210, 17.250, 17.28, 17.190 (permitted uses and SP standards) .
• Open Space districts and permitted uses: Table 17.20.01, Open Space purposes: § 17.20.010–020 .
• Parking standards and cross-references to off‑street parking chapter: Chapter 17.48 and parking citations within specific-plan tables (see Chapters 17.250, 17.200) .
• Landscaping minimums and guidelines: Table 17.56.01 and § 17.56.040 .
• Design review and required findings references (used by Specific Plans): § 17.80.040, and specific-plan review sections (e.g., § 17.200.040) .
• Similar uses and general requirements: § 17.04.070 (similar uses; application requirement) .

Retrieved passages

• Desert Hot Springs Zoning Code (section shall) High relevance show source text
• Desert Hot Springs Zoning Code (§ 159.02.020) High relevance show source text
• Desert Hot Springs Zoning Code (§ 17.200.040.) High relevance show source text
• Desert Hot Springs Zoning Code (§ 159.02.050) High relevance show source text
• Desert Hot Springs Zoning Code (§ 159.13.020) High relevance show source text
• Desert Hot Springs Zoning Code (Title 17.) High relevance show source text
• Desert Hot Springs Zoning Code (§ 17.210.040.) High relevance show source text
• Desert Hot Springs Zoning Code (§ 17.250.030.) High relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Title 17, City of Desert Hot Springs Zoning Ordinance — Title statement and purpose: **§ 17.04.010**, **§ 17.04.020** . (Title 17)
• Establishment of zoning districts and Official Land Use Zoning District Map: **§ 17.04.060** . (§ 17.04.060)
• Authority & General Plan consistency: **§ 17.04.030** . (§ 17.04.030)
• Residential permitted uses and development standards: Table **17.08.01**, **§ 17.08.040**, and Table **17.08.02** (standards: setbacks, heights, open space) . (§ 17.08.040)
• Specific Plans (Coachillin’, Desert Land Ventures, Desert Storage, Rancho Royale, Desert Gateway): Chapters **17.200**, **17.210**, **17.250**, **17.28**, **17.190** (permitted uses and SP standards) .
• Open Space districts and permitted uses: Table **17.20.01**, Open Space purposes: **§ 17.20.010–020** . (§ 17.20.010)
• Parking standards and cross-references to off‑street parking chapter: Chapter **17.48** and parking citations within specific-plan tables (see Chapters **17.250**, **17.200**) .
• Landscaping minimums and guidelines: Table **17.56.01** and **§ 17.56.040** . (§ 17.56.040)
• Design review and required findings references (used by Specific Plans): **§ 17.80.040**, and specific-plan review sections (e.g., **§ 17.200.040**) . (§ 17.80.040)
• Similar uses and general requirements: **§ 17.04.070** (similar uses; application requirement) . (§ 17.04.070)
• DesertHotSprings_ZoningCode.md

• Official Desert Hot Springs code library