Desert Hot Springs R-H zoning: height, setbacks and lot size

R-H is a zoning district in Desert Hot Springs. Every value below was read from the Desert Hot Springs Municipal Code and links to its section (read October 2026). State laws such as the ADU and SB 9 rules can allow more on a residential lot. General information, not legal advice — read the code text and check with the city before you build.

The general rule for a typical lot in this zone. Zoning tables often attach notes, such as rules for corner lots, lots next to a residential zone, or new subdivisions only. Open “code text” under a value to see the table cell or sentence it was read from.

Uses the code's use tables allow in R-H, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.

• Single-family home — Allowed
• Apartment building — Allowed
• Rooming or boarding house — Allowed
• Child care center — Needs an administrative use permit
• Church or place of worship — Needs a conditional use permit
• Growing crops — Needs a conditional use permit

The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R-H:

• Maximum building height: 55 ft — Attached Residential § 17.08.040
• Minimum front setback: 15 ft — Flag Lot (at end of access) § 17.08.040
• Minimum side setback: 15 ft — Corner or Exterior (alongside street) § 17.08.040
• Minimum side setback: 5 ft — Substandard Lots; for single-family dwelling only § 17.08.040
• Minimum rear setback: 10 ft — adjacent to an alley; a garage facing the alley needs a rear yard of at least 20 ft § 17.08.040
• Minimum lot size: 7,200 sf — Single-Family § 17.08.040
• Minimum lot size: 20,000 sf — Multifamily § 17.08.040

We did not find a general stories, lot size, FAR limit for R-H in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Desert Hot Springs Municipal Code.

• C-D
• C-G
• C-N
• I-L
• I-M
• MU-C
• MU-N
• R-L
• R-M
• R-RD
• VS-C
• VS-M