Desert Hot Springs · Zoning · R-RD
Desert Hot Springs R-RD zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Desert Hot Springs's R-RD zone, generally buildings can be up to 30 ft tall and the front setback is 50 ft, with the conditions listed below (Desert Hot Springs code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 30 ft (Detached Residential)
- Minimum front setback: 50 ft (garage front yard setback must be at least 20 ft)
- Minimum side setback: 50 ft
- Minimum rear setback: 100 ft
- Maximum lot coverage: 15%
- Maximum density: 1 du/5 ac
R-RD 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.
Development standards in R-RD
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.
| Maximum building height | 30 ft Applies: Detached Residential § 17.08.040 · code textTable row “Detached Residential”, column “BUILDING HEIGHT MAXIMUM”: 30 ft |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 50 ft Applies: garage front yard setback must be at least 20 ft § 17.08.040 · code textTable row “From Public Right-of-Way”, column “SETBACKS AND BUILDING SEPARATIONS”: 50 ft |
| Minimum side setback | 50 ft § 17.08.040 · code textTable row “Interior”, column “SETBACKS AND BUILDING SEPARATIONS”: 50 ft |
| Minimum rear setback | 100 ft § 17.08.040 · code textTable row “Standard Lot”, column “SETBACKS AND BUILDING SEPARATIONS”: 100 ft |
| Maximum lot coverage | 15% § 17.08.040 · code textTable row “Standard”, column “LOT DIMENSIONS, SIZE, AND COVERAGE”: 15% |
| Maximum density | 1 du/5 ac § 17.08.040 · code textTable row “Maximum Density – Residential”, column “DENSITY/FAR”: 1 du/5 ac |
Uses in R-RD
Uses the code's use tables allow in R-RD, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.
- Single-family home — Allowed
- Church or place of worship — Needs a conditional use permit
- Growing crops — Needs an administrative use permit
- Horses and stables — Allowed — see note
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R-RD:
- Minimum front setback: 10 ft — Flag Lot (at end of access) § 17.08.040
- Minimum front setback: 15 ft — SB 9 § 17.08.040
- Minimum side setback: 4 ft — SB 9 single-family units; no setback if within an existing footprint and the setback does not prevent an 800 sq ft unit § 17.08.040
- Minimum rear setback: 50 ft — Substandard Lots § 17.08.040
- Minimum rear setback: 4 ft — SB 9 § 17.08.040
- Minimum lot size: 5 ac — Single-Family § 17.08.040
- Minimum lot size: 1,200 sf — SB 9 § 17.08.040
- Maximum lot coverage: 67% — SB 9 § 17.08.040
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, lot size, FAR limit for R-RD in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Desert Hot Springs Municipal Code.
Other Desert Hot Springs zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Desert Hot Springs's R-RD zone?
30 ft (detached Residential) — Desert Hot Springs Municipal Code § 17.08.040.
What is the minimum front setback in Desert Hot Springs's R-RD zone?
50 ft (garage front yard setback must be at least 20 ft) — Desert Hot Springs Municipal Code § 17.08.040.
What is the minimum side setback in Desert Hot Springs's R-RD zone?
50 ft — Desert Hot Springs Municipal Code § 17.08.040.
What is the minimum rear setback in Desert Hot Springs's R-RD zone?
100 ft — Desert Hot Springs Municipal Code § 17.08.040.
What is the maximum lot coverage in Desert Hot Springs's R-RD zone?
15% — Desert Hot Springs Municipal Code § 17.08.040.
General information, not legal advice.
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