Local zoning · Palm Desert

Palm Desert — Parking

Parking under the Palm Desert local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes Palm Desert’s local zoning rules for parking, including off‑street vehicle parking, loading, and bicycle parking. The city’s rules live in the zoning ordinance (Chapter 25) — the primary parking rules are in Chapter 25.46: Off‑Street Parking and Loading (purpose, applicability, schedules, stall and lot design, loading, bicycle parking, clean‑air / EV spaces, joint/shared parking) and related development and landscaping chapters. See the city zoning menu for the broader context on parking and land use. § 25.46.010–§ 25.46.100 set the core requirements .

Important cross‑references used by the city: development standards and placement rules (see Table 25.18‑2, podium/subterranean parking rules), parking lot landscaping rules in § 25.52.050, and certain overlay/downtown exceptions in Chapter 25.18 and overlay chapters such as the FCOZ. See the city’s development standards page for related dimensional rules. § 25.20.062, § 25.52.050, and Table 25.04‑1 are commonly used in parking decisions .

(Note: where the Palm Desert code defers to statewide building rules — for example CALGreen EV/clean‑air spaces — the code references the California Building Standards Code / Title 24. See the state code for technical installation requirements.) § 25.46.070 cites Title 24 / CALGreen for clean‑air vehicle spaces .

What the code requires (quick map)

  • Primary local chapter: Chapter 25.46 — Off‑Street Parking and Loading. Key sections: § 25.46.010 (purpose), § 25.46.020 (applicability), § 25.46.030 (parking lot design, stall sizes, paving, lighting, screening), § 25.46.040 (parking schedule / Table 25.46‑1), § 25.46.050 (golf‑cart / motorcycle / scooter credit), § 25.46.060 (bicycle parking), § 25.46.070 (clean‑air vehicle/EV parking), § 25.46.080 (joint use parking), § 25.46.100 (loading) .

  • Parking landscaping and interior planting quotas: § 25.52.050 (minimum 15% of off‑street open parking area landscaped; interior/perimeter distribution; planter details) .

  • Zoning districts and where rules apply: the zoning map and Table 25.04‑1 list district symbols (e.g., R-1, R-2, R-3, PR, OP, PC, SI, D, and overlays like FCOZ) and show that Chapter 25.46 applies citywide to all districts unless modified by a precise plan or overlay; precise plan exceptions are allowed per § 25.46.090 and district-specific text (e.g., PR, FCOZ) reference Chapter 25.46 for parking compliance .

District-by-district breakdown (how parking is applied in common Palm Desert zones)

Notes: the code provides use‑based parking ratios (Table 25.46‑1) rather than a separate parking ratio per zone; zone rules commonly call out that parking must meet Chapter 25.46. Below, each district entry gives the district purpose, typical uses, and how parking rules are applied locally with the controlling code citations.

R-1 (Single‑Family Residential)

  • Purpose & typical uses: conventional single‑family lots, detached homes listed in Table 25.04‑1 (residential districts) .
  • Parking standard: 2 parking spaces per dwelling unit (Table 25.46‑1) and two of the required spaces must be in a garage or carport; garage interior dimension rule: each covered space for single‑family must be 10 ft × 20 ft unobstructed (supplemental covered parking standards) § 25.46.040 / § 25.46.030 .
  • Where it applies: citywide to R‑1 parcels; local exceptions for precise plans or overlays (verify parcel with zoning map) § 25.46.020 .

R-2 / R-3 (Mixed / Multifamily Residential)

  • Purpose & typical uses: duplex to larger multifamily developments (see Table 25.04‑1) .
  • Parking standard: use‑based ratios in Table 25.46‑1. Typical multifamily ratios: studio/1‑bedroom = 2 per unit; two+ bedroom = 2 per unit (the parking schedule contains the multifamily entries — confirm specific unit type in Table 25.46‑1) § 25.46.040 .
  • Covered parking: one space per 1‑bedroom within a garage/carport; at least one of two+ bedroom units’ required spaces provided in garage/carport for every two‑+ bedroom unit as specified in parking development standards § 25.46.030 .
  • Design review and objective standards: multifamily and mixed‑use projects in these zones are subject to objective design standards in Chapter 25.42 (where applicable) and parking placement/structure rules such as podium/subterranean garage standards § 25.42.020, § 25.20.062 .

PR (Planned Residential)

  • Purpose & typical uses: flexible planned residential projects with a mix of housing types; projects require a precise plan and must comply with Chapter 25.46 for parking and loading (PR development standards cite compliance with Chapter 25.46) .
  • Key note: PR projects typically set parking in the precise plan — the code allows the precise plan to modify certain design/placement standards; the precise plan may also require additional parking analyses § 25.46.090 / PR development standards .

OP (Office‑Professional), PC (Planned Commercial), PC‑1/2/3/4 (Commercial subtypes)

  • Purpose & typical uses: professional offices, neighborhood to regional commercial centers (Table 25.04‑1) .
  • Parking standard: apply the use‑based entries in Table 25.46‑1 (office, retail, restaurants, etc.). For nonresidential uses, clean‑air vehicle / EV parking rules require designated spaces per CALGreen and Table 25.46‑2 (approx. 8% of required nonresidential spaces or table values) § 25.46.040, § 25.46.070 .
  • Joint/shared parking: downtown districts and OP zones can apply for joint‑use arrangements; joint use limited to 50% of required spaces and must be recorded and approved by the Commission § 25.46.080 .

SI (Service Industrial) and FCOZ (Freeway Commercial Overlay)

  • Purpose & typical uses: industrial, service, freeway‑oriented commercial uses; FCOZ provides optional standards and allows certain uses if master planned .
  • Parking and loading: industrial and commercial parking must follow Table 25.46‑1; loading berth sizes and counts are set by § 25.46.100 and Table 25.46‑3 (loading = 0–3 depending on building size; individual berth dimensions) § 25.46.100 .
  • Special rules: personal storage (self‑storage) allowed in SI or FCOZ with conditional use permit and has its own parking/loading rules; see § 25.34.200 and the requirement that parking comply with Chapter 25.46 .

Decision‑relevant table (quick reference)

Decision item What the code requires (summary) Code Reference
Minimum vehicle parking — single‑family 2 spaces per unit; 2 garage/carport spaces must be provided (covered dims 10'×20') § 25.46.040; parking stall/covered standards § 25.46.030
Minimum vehicle parking — multifamily (typical) Studio / 1‑BR = 2 per unit; 2+ BR = 2 per unit (see Table for exceptions) § 25.46.040
Loading berth size (per berth) 45 ft length × 12 ft width, 14 ft overhead clearance (min); counts by building gross floor area per Table 25.46‑3 § 25.46.100
Bicycle parking — short‑term Short‑term racks within 200 ft of entrance = 5% of required vehicle parking, min one rack for two bikes § 25.46.060
Bicycle parking — long‑term Long‑term secure parking for buildings with >10 tenant‑occupants = 5% of required vehicle spaces, min one long‑term space; options include lockers/rooms/covered enclosures § 25.46.060
Clean‑air / EV parking (nonresidential) Designate clean‑air spaces per CALGreen; Table 25.46‑2 (roughly 8% at larger scales) § 25.46.070 (references Title 24 / CALGreen)
Parking lot landscaping Minimum 15% of off‑street open parking area landscaped; 1/3 interior; curbed planters; landscape plan required § 25.52.050

(Always verify the exact Table 25.46‑1 line that matches your proposed use — some uses have multiple ratios or employee‑based formulas.) § 25.46.040 is the controlling parking schedule table .

Practical guidance / interpretation (plain English, actionable)

  • The Palm Desert code uses a use‑based parking schedule (Table 25.46‑1) rather than a separate ratio per zone; your project’s required number of spaces is calculated from the use entry (retail, office, dwelling type, etc.) in § 25.46.040 then designed to meet the stall, aisle, surfacing, screening and landscaping rules in § 25.46.030 and § 25.52.050 .
  • Covered residential parking has an extra requirement — single‑family garages/carports must provide two covered spaces and meet the interior dimension standard (10' × 20') § 25.46.030 .
  • Bicycle parking is required for all non‑single‑family uses (short‑term and long‑term) and sized as 5% of the required vehicle parking (with minimums) — include a 5‑ft maneuvering aisle and anchorable racks or lockers as described in § 25.46.060 .
  • Loading requirements are dimensional and count‑based: typical commercial buildings ≥6,000 sf generally require 1–3 berths according to Table 25.46‑3 and each berth has minimum length/width/clearance § 25.46.100 .
  • If your project is in the downtown districts or under an overlay (for example FCOZ) special joint‑use, in‑lieu payment, or precise plan provisions may apply; joint use and in‑lieu rules are limited to downtown/OP or FCOZ in some cases and require Commission approval or recorded covenant § 25.46.080 / in‑lieu rules in § 25.46.050 notes .
  • The city enforces parking lot design (stall sizes, paving, lighting, bumpers, screening) and will expect a landscape plan, planter curbs, and maintenance commitments per § 25.46.030 and § 25.52.050 .

Link references used in practice: for overall zoning lookup and locating your parcel’s district consult the Palm Desert zoning menu; for design review requirements consult the city’s design review guidance; if you plan an ADU check the Palm Desert ADU rules; for state technical requirements (EV infrastructure, bike parking specifics where code references state standards) consult the California Building Standards Code / Title 24. See these resources: Palm Desert zoning & planning overview, development standards, design review, overlay districts, landscaping, ADU page, and the California Building Standards Code.
(Inline links: Palm Desert zoning & planning overview; Palm Desert Development Standards; Palm Desert Design Review; Palm Desert Overlay Districts; Palm Desert Landscaping and Screening; Palm Desert ADUs; California Building Standards Code).

Checklist

  • Identify the exact zoning district for the parcel (see Table 25.04‑1) and any overlays (e.g., FCOZ, DO). § 25.04.020
  • Calculate required spaces from Table 25.46‑1 for each use proposed. § 25.46.040
  • Provide stall and aisle geometry that meets the code: typical stall 9' × 16.5' + 2' overhang, end spaces may be wider; residential covered stalls per supplemental standards. § 25.46.030
  • Show loading berth(s) sized and counted per Table 25.46‑3 and § 25.46.100 (if applicable). § 25.46.100
  • Provide bicycle parking per § 25.46.060 (short‑ and long‑term calculations, rack/locker details). § 25.46.060
  • Incorporate parking lot landscaping (≥15% of open parking area) and screening plans per § 25.52.050. § 25.52.050
  • If proposing a shared/joint parking agreement or in‑lieu payment, prepare recorded covenant and obtain Commission approval for downtown/OP/FCOZ cases § 25.46.080 / in‑lieu notes. § 25.46.080
  • If requesting reductions/adjustments, file for an Adjustment or Variance per § 25.64.030 (adjustment may allow up to a 10% reduction in parking) — prepare findings. § 25.64.030
  • Verify any CALGreen / Title 24 EV / clean‑air parking technical requirements (installation and marking) and show compliance where the zoning code references those state rules § 25.46.070 .

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue Why it matters What to verify
Which Table row applies to an unusual or mixed use Some uses have multiple ratios or employee‑based rules; mis‑picking the row undercounts/overcounts required spaces Confirm specific use classification in § 25.46.040 and consult Planning staff if your use is not listed or is ambiguous § 25.46.040
Precise plan or overlay adjustments Precise plans and overlays (e.g., FCOZ, downtown overlays) may modify standard requirements or allow in‑lieu/joint arrangements Check whether the parcel is in an overlay or subject to a precise plan; if so, review overlay chapter and precise plan approvals § 25.46.090; overlay listings Table 25.04‑1
EV / clean‑air space technical specs Local code requires designation per CALGreen but installation details are in Title 24; omission can lead to noncompliance at permit Coordinate with building plan check and consult Title 24 / CALGreen technical sections referenced by § 25.46.070
Tandem parking or non‑standard layouts Tandem spaces are generally restricted (except mobile homes or Commission‑approved situations) and may not count toward requirements Confirm approval path (Commission or adjustment) before relying on tandem stalls § 25.46.030
Whether loading can be counted as parking The code limits how loading areas may be credited toward parking and forbids using loading area space to satisfy parking Verify counting rules in § 25.46.100 and notes (loading may count up to a rate but space dedicated to loading cannot be double‑counted) § 25.46.100

Plain‑English summary

Palm Desert’s zoning ordinance requires off‑street parking based on the use (Table 25.46‑1), enforces design and stall dimensions, requires bicycle parking for non‑single‑family uses, sets loading berth sizes and counts, and requires parking landscaping; downtown overlays, precise plans, or Commission approvals can modify how rules are applied — always compute spaces from § 25.46.040 and design the lot to meet § 25.46.030 and § 25.52.050 before permit submittal .

Source References

  • Palm Desert Zoning Ordinance — Chapter 25.46 (Off‑Street Parking and Loading): § 25.46.010 et seq. (purpose, applicability, design requirements, schedule, bicycle parking, clean‑air parking, joint use, exceptions, loading) .
  • Parking schedule and Table 25.46‑1 (Parking Requirements): § 25.46.040 (Table 25.46‑1 excerpts) .
  • Parking stall dimensions, parking development & design standards: § 25.46.030 (stall sizes, bumper rails, paving, marking, covered parking requirements) .
  • Bicycle parking rules: § 25.46.060 (short‑term and long‑term counts, rack requirements, maneuvering aisle) .
  • Clean air / EV parking requirement (references Title 24 / CALGreen) and Table 25.46‑2: § 25.46.070 .
  • Joint use parking and in‑lieu notes for downtown/OP/FCOZ: § 25.46.080 and in‑lieu notes (see Chapter 25.18 for downtown) .
  • Off‑street loading size/count and Table 25.46‑3: § 25.46.100 (dimensions, counts by gross floor area) .
  • Parking lot landscaping requirements (15% interior/perimeter): § 25.52.050 .
  • Zoning districts list (R‑1, R‑2, R‑3, PR, OP, PC, SI, overlays such as FCOZ): Table 25.04‑1 and Chapter 25.04 (Zoning Districts) § 25.04.020 .
  • Podium and subterranean parking guidance (placement, street frontage liner requirements): § 25.20.062 (Downtown design guidelines) .
  • Adjustment/administrative reduction authority (parking reductions up to 10% via Adjustments): § 25.64.030 .
  • State code cross‑reference for technical EV/Green parking rules: 2025 California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen) and 2025 California Building Code (Title 24) as referenced in § 25.46.070 (for technical installation/EV readiness) .

Sources

Retrieved passages

  • Palm Desert Zoning Code (§ 25.42.060.) High relevance
  • Palm Desert Zoning Code (§ 25.46.040) High relevance
  • Palm Desert Zoning Code (§ 25.46.090.) High relevance
  • Palm Desert Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance
  • Palm Desert Zoning Code (§ 25.20.062.) Medium relevance
  • Palm Desert Zoning Code (chapter may) Medium relevance
  • Palm Desert Zoning Code (chapter shall) Medium relevance
  • Palm Desert Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance
  • Palm Desert Zoning Code (chapter and) Medium relevance
  • Palm Desert Zoning Code (title for) Medium relevance
  • Palm Desert Zoning Code Medium relevance
  • Palm Desert Zoning Code (chapter and) Medium relevance
  • Palm Desert Zoning Code (title unless) Medium relevance
  • Palm Desert Zoning Code (§ 4) Medium relevance
  • Palm Desert Zoning Code (§ 25.28.070.) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Frequently asked questions

What does Palm Desert require for parking for a single‑family home?

Single‑family homes must provide 2 parking spaces per unit, and two required spaces must be in a garage or carport; covered garage space should meet the interior dimension requirement (10 ft × 20 ft unobstructed). See § 25.46.040 and the supplemental covered parking standards in § 25.46.030

How many bicycle racks do I need for a new retail or office project in Palm Desert?

For non‑single‑family projects, provide short‑term bicycle parking equal to 5% of required off‑street vehicle parking (minimum one rack capacity for two bikes, within 200 ft of entrance) and long‑term secure bicycle parking also equal to 5% where the building has over 10 tenant‑occupants; see § 25.46.060 for rack and maneuvering aisle details .

Are there local requirements for EV / clean‑air parking spaces?

Yes. Palm Desert requires designation of clean‑air/EV spaces for nonresidential parking per CALGreen: consult § 25.46.070 and Table 25.46‑2 (the table assigns required numbers; larger facilities typically require ~8% designated spaces). Technical installation standards are set by Title 24 / CALGreen (state code) referenced in the section § 25.46.070 .

What are the minimum loading berth dimensions and when are they required?

Required loading berths are not less than 45 ft long × 12 ft wide with at least 14 ft overhead clearance; the number of berths is determined by gross building area per Table 25.46‑3 (e.g., 0 for <6,000 sf; 1 for 6,000–15,000 sf; up to 3 for very large buildings). See § 25.46.100 and Table 25.46‑3 .

Can I use tandem parking spaces to meet required counts?

Tandem spaces are restricted: except for mobile homes, tandem spaces are only permitted in specific circumstances (e.g., spaces exceeding requirements) or with Commission approval; do not assume tandem spaces will count without prior approval. See the parking development standards and tandem rules in § 25.46.030 .

Does Palm Desert allow shared or joint parking between uses?

Yes, subject to limits. Joint use of parking can be allowed where operating hours do not overlap; joint use cannot exceed 50% of the required spaces of any involved uses, must be recorded as a covenant and is limited to downtown districts and OP zones (Commission approval required). See § 25.46.080 .

Are parking lot landscaping and interior planter requirements mandatory?

Yes. New or rehabbing parking lots must provide at least 15% of the open parking area as landscaping, with at least one‑third of that interior to the parking field and the remainder on the periphery; planter curbs and a landscape plan are required. See § 25.52.050 .

Can a precise plan change the parking standards?

Yes. The code allows a precise plan exception to modify parking lot design standards and some off‑street parking facility design requirements where a precise plan is adopted; see § 25.46.090 for exceptions and check the specific precise plan language for how requirements are modified on your site .

My project is in the Freeway Commercial Overlay (**FCOZ**). Are there special parking rules?

The FCOZ provides optional standards and incentives and often requires a master plan; required on‑site parking for combined developments is cumulative and the Commission can reduce or increase required spaces based on shared uses. Refer to § 25.28.070 (FCOZ) and remember parking still generally must meet Chapter 25.46 unless the FCOZ/master plan specifies otherwise .

Who can approve small reductions in required parking counts?

The Zoning Administrator may grant an Adjustment for limited deviations (an Adjustment can allow up to 10% decrease of required parking spaces when findings are met); larger deviations require a variance through the Planning Commission. See § 25.64.030 for adjustment authority and limits § 25.64.030 .

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