Earlier editions: 2026-07
Municipal code
Palm Desert Municipal Code
The enacted municipal code of Palm Desert, California, as published — every title, chapter, and section, verbatim and citable.
- Last updated
- 2026-10-04
- Contents
- 26 titles · 2,388 sections
- Jurisdiction
- Palm Desert
Contents
▸Title 2 — Administration and Personnel
Overview- Chapter 2.04 — CITY MANAGER
- Chapter 2.08 — CITY TREASURER—FINANCE DIRECTOR
- Chapter 2.12 — COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
- Chapter 2.16 — FINANCE COMMITTEE
- Chapter 2.18 — BUILDING BOARD OF APPEALS
- Chapter 2.20 — PLANNING COMMISSION
- Chapter 2.22 — ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION
- Chapter 2.24 — REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
- Chapter 2.28 — CITY COUNCIL SALARIES
- Chapter 2.32 — OFFICIAL BONDS
- Chapter 2.34 — BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, COMMITTEES, AND TASK FORCES—GENERAL PROVISIONS
- Chapter 2.36 — PROCEDURE FOR THE CONDUCT OF MEETINGS
- Chapter 2.38 — GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS
- Chapter 2.44 — PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM
- Chapter 2.48 — DISASTER RELIEF
▸Chapter 2.52 — PERSONNEL SYSTEM
Overview- Article I — Governing Provisions
- Article II — Recruitment and Selection
- Article III — Types of Employment
- Article IV — Compensation
- Article V — Workplace Policies
- Article VI — Hours of Work
- Article VII — Benefits
- Article VIII — Leaves
- Article IX — Disciplinary Actions
- Article X — Grievances
- Article XI — Personnel Files
- Chapter 2.53 — EMPLOYER-EMPLOYEE RELATIONS
- Chapter 2.56 — CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE
- Chapter 2.58 — PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE
- Chapter 2.60 — PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
- Chapter 2.62 — CIVIC ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE
- Chapter 2.64 — HOUSING COMMISSION
- Chapter 2.68 — CULTURAL ARTS COMMITTEE
- Chapter 2.72 — APPEALS TO THE CITY COUNCIL
- Chapter 2.74 — PUBLIC LIBRARY
▸Title 3 — Revenue Finance
Overview- Chapter 3.04 — TRANSFER OF ASSESSMENT AND TAX COLLECTION TO COUNTY
- Chapter 3.08 — INVESTMENT OF MONEYS AND FUNDS
- Chapter 3.12 — ORDINARY CLAIMS AND DEMANDS
- Chapter 3.14 — DISPUTED CLAIMS AND DEMANDS
- Chapter 3.16 — CONSTRUCTION FEE
- Chapter 3.20 — REAL PROPERTY DOCUMENTARY TRANSFER TAX
- Chapter 3.24 — SALES AND USE TAX
- Chapter 3.26 — GENERAL TRANSACTIONS AND USE TAX
- Chapter 3.28 — TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX
- Chapter 3.30 — PURCHASING SYSTEM AND PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACTS
- Chapter 3.36 — FIRE PROTECTION FUND
- Chapter 3.40 — PARKING AND BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT AREA
- Chapter 3.44 — TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM MITIGATION FEE
- Chapter 3.45 — CHILDCARE FACILITIES IMPACT MITIGATION FEE
- Chapter 3.46 — MULTIPLE SPECIES HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN LOCAL DEVELOPMENT MITIGATION FEE
- Chapter 3.50 — CANNABIS BUSINESS TAX
▸Title 4 — Art
▸Title 5 — Business Taxes, Licenses and Regulations
Overview- Chapter 5.04 — BUSINESS LICENSING AND TAXING
- Chapter 5.06 — CATEGORIES AND RATES
- Chapter 5.08 — DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES
- Chapter 5.10 — SHORT-TERM RENTALS
- Chapter 5.11 — DISCLOSURES UPON TRANSFER OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY
- Chapter 5.12 — SINGLE-USE CARRYOUT PLASTIC BAGS
- Chapter 5.80 — CHARITABLE SOLICITATIONS
- Chapter 5.82 — REGULATION OF SPECIAL EVENT SALES
- Chapter 5.84 — DISTRIBUTION OF LITERATURE, PEDDLING AND SOLICITATION
- Chapter 5.86 — BATHHOUSE, ESCORT BUREAU AND INTRODUCTORY SERVICE
- Chapter 5.87 — MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS
- Chapter 5.88 — OPERATION OF ADULT ENTERTAINMENT ESTABLISHMENTS
- Chapter 5.89 — LICENSING OF ADULT ENTERTAINMENT ESTABLISHMENTS AND ADULT ENTERTAINERS
- Chapter 5.91 — ABANDONED SHOPPING CARTS
- Chapter 5.92 — SOUND TRUCKS
- Chapter 5.94 — MOTION PICTURE AND TELEVISION PRODUCTION
- Chapter 5.95 — LANDSCAPE-RELATED BUSINESSES
- Chapter 5.96 — BINGO
- Chapter 5.97 — FOOD VENDING VEHICLES
- Chapter 5.98 — TAXICABS
- Chapter 5.99 — FOOD SALE FROM PUSHCARTS
- Chapter 5.100 — ENTERTAINMENT PERMITS
- Chapter 5.101 — COMMERCIAL CANNABIS BUSINESS REGULATORY PERMITS
▸Title 6 — Animals
▸Title 8 — Health and Safety
Overview- Chapter 8.04 — FOOD HANDLERS
- Chapter 8.08 — RESTAURANTS
- Chapter 8.12 — DISCARDED MATERIAL ENCLOSURES
- Chapter 8.16 — SOLID WASTE
- Chapter 8.17 — RECYCLABLE MATERIALS
- Chapter 8.19 — REQUIREMENTS FOR COLLECTION OF SOLID WASTE, RECYCLABLE MATERIAL, AND ORGANIC WA…
- Chapter 8.20 — PUBLIC NUISANCES
- Chapter 8.21 — MAINTENANCE OF ABANDONED PROPERTIES
- Chapter 8.23 — FIREWORKS
- Chapter 8.24 — LITTERING
- Chapter 8.32 — VEHICLE PARKING AND REPAIRS IN RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS
- Chapter 8.34 — TOBACCO RETAILER LICENSE
- Chapter 8.36 — REGULATION AND PROHIBITION OF SMOKING
- Chapter 8.38 — PERSONAL USE OF CANNABIS
- Chapter 8.40 — RECREATIONAL VEHICLES ON PRIVATE PROPERTY
- Chapter 8.44 — MOBILE SOURCE AIR POLLUTION
- Chapter 8.50 — REGULATIONS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, RECONSTRUCTION, ABANDONMENT AND DESTRUCTION O…
- Chapter 8.55 — REGULATION OF THE DISCHARGE OF SEWAGE
- Chapter 8.60 — SEWER CONNECTION REQUIREMENTS PRIOR TO PROPERTY SALE OR TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP
- Chapter 8.70 — PROPERTY MAINTENANCE
- Chapter 8.80 — ADMINISTRATIVE REMEDIES
- Chapter 8.81 — ADMINISTRATIVE CITATIONS
- Chapter 8.85 — SKATE PARK REGULATIONS
▸Title 9 — Public Peace, Morals and Welfare
Overview- Chapter 9.12 — DISPLAY AND SALE OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA
- Chapter 9.20 — INDECENT EXPOSURE
- Chapter 9.24 — NOISE CONTROL
- Chapter 9.25 — MULTIPLE RESPONSES TO LOUD OR UNRULY PARTIES, GATHERINGS OR OTHER SIMILAR EVENTS
- Chapter 9.26 — UNLAWFUL CAMPING
- Chapter 9.30 — TRESPASSING ON PRIVATE PROPERTY
- Chapter 9.40 — GRAFFITI
- Chapter 9.48 — PSYCHIC ACTIVITIES
- Chapter 9.50 — MOBILE HOME PARK RENT REVIEW
- Chapter 9.52 — CONVERSION OF MOBILE HOME PARKS TO OTHER USES
- Chapter 9.56 — CURFEW AND TRUANCY OF MINORS
- Chapter 9.58 — PUBLIC DRINKING AND LIQUOR POSSESSION
- Chapter 9.68 — DISCHARGE OF FIREARMS
- Chapter 9.69 — LASER POINTERS
- Chapter 9.70 — PROTECTION OF PEACE AND SECURITY AT MEDICAL FACILITIES
- Chapter 9.71 — UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A CATALYTIC CONVERTER
▸Title 10 — Vehicles and Traffic
Overview- Chapter 10.04 — DEFINITIONS
- Chapter 10.08 — ADMINISTRATION
- Chapter 10.12 — TRAFFIC ENGINEER AND COMMITTEE
- Chapter 10.16 — TRAFFIC REGULATIONS—ENFORCEMENT AND OBEDIENCE
- Chapter 10.20 — TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS AND REPORTS
- Chapter 10.24 — ABANDONED VEHICLES
- Chapter 10.25 — VEHICLE IMPOUND COST RECOVERY FEE
- Chapter 10.28 — MISCELLANEOUS DRIVING RULES
- Chapter 10.32 — TRAFFIC-CONTROL DEVICES
- Chapter 10.36 — SPEED ZONES
- Chapter 10.40 — TURNING MOVEMENTS
- Chapter 10.44 — ONE-WAY STREETS AND ALLEYS
- Chapter 10.48 — STOPPING, STANDING AND PARKING
- Chapter 10.50 — VALET PARKING
- Chapter 10.52 — SPECIAL STOPS
- Chapter 10.56 — LOADING AND UNLOADING
- Chapter 10.60 — PARKING METERS
- Chapter 10.64 — PARADE PERMITS
- Chapter 10.68 — RESTRICTED USE OF CERTAIN STREETS
- Chapter 10.72 — PEDESTRIANS
- Chapter 10.76 — GOLF CARTS
- Chapter 10.78 — ELECTRONIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICES
- Chapter 10.80 — PRIVATELY OWNED AND MAINTAINED ROADS
- Chapter 10.84 — AMBULANCE SERVICE
- Chapter 10.88 — OFF-ROAD VEHICLES
- Chapter 10.92 — INTERSTATE TRUCKS
- Chapter 10.96 — RECREATIONAL VEHICLES
- Chapter 10.98 — COMMERCIAL VEHICLES
- Chapter 10.99 — MOBILITY SHARING SERVICES
▸Title 12 — Streets and Sidewalks
Overview- Chapter 12.04 — ENCROACHMENTS
- Chapter 12.12 — UNDERGROUND UTILITY DISTRICTS
- Chapter 12.16 — UNDERGROUND UTILITY LINES
- Chapter 12.18 — PUBLIC ACQUISITION
- Chapter 12.20 — STREET IMPROVEMENTS
- Chapter 12.22 — STREET CUT AND TRENCH REPAIRS
- Chapter 12.24 — SKATEBOARDING AND ROLLER SKATING
- Chapter 12.26 — PUBLIC SIDEWALK REPAIRS
- Chapter 12.28 — STREETS AND ROADS ACCEPTANCE
- Chapter 12.32 — TREE PRUNING REGULATIONS
- Chapter 12.36 — PROCEDURES FOR VACATING CITY RIGHTS-OF-WAY OR PORTIONS THEREOF
▸Title 14 — Franchises
Overview▸Chapter 14.01 — CABLE, VIDEO AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICE PROVIDERS
▸Title 15 — Building and Construction
Overview- Chapter 15.02 — ADMINISTRATION
- Chapter 15.04 — BUILDING CODE
- Chapter 15.06 — RESIDENTIAL CODE
- Chapter 15.08 — MECHANICAL CODE
- Chapter 15.10 — ELECTRICAL CODE
- Chapter 15.12 — PLUMBING CODE
- Chapter 15.14 — ENERGY CODE
- Chapter 15.16 — WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE
- Chapter 15.17 — SMALL RESIDENTIAL ROOFTOP SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM PERMITTING
- Chapter 15.18 — GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE
- Chapter 15.20 — HISTORICAL BUILDING CODE
- Chapter 15.22 — HOUSING CODE
- Chapter 15.24 — EXISTING BUILDING CODE
- Chapter 15.26 — FIRE CODE
- Chapter 15.28 — ADDRESS NUMBERING
- Chapter 15.30 — CONSTRUCTION SITE SECURITY
- Chapter 15.32 — MOVED BUILDINGS, AND TEMPORARY STRUCTURES
- Chapter 15.34 — SAFETY ASSESSMENT PLACARDS
▸Chapter 15.36 — STREAMLINED ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS PERMITTING
▸Title 16 — Fire Protection and Prevention
▸Title 17 — Procedure for Issuance and Sale of Bonds
Overview- Chapter 17.01 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
- Chapter 17.02 — DETERMINATION TO ISSUE BONDS
- Chapter 17.03 — ISSUANCE OF BONDS
- Chapter 17.04 — FORM AND CONTENT OF BONDS
- Chapter 17.05 — VARIABLE INTEREST RATE BONDS
- Chapter 17.06 — BOND RECORDS AND PAYMENTS
- Chapter 17.07 — BOND ANTICIPATION NOTES
- Chapter 17.08 — ADVANCE RETIREMENT OF BONDS
- Chapter 17.09 — REDEMPTION FUND DEFICIENCIES
- Chapter 17.10 — SPECIAL RESERVE FUND
- Chapter 17.11 — MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
▸Title 23 — Municipal Utility
▸Title 25 — Zoning
Overview- Chapter 25.02 — INTRODUCTORY PROVISIONS
- Chapter 25.04 — ESTABLISHMENT OF ZONING DISTRICTS
- Chapter 25.10 — RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS
- Chapter 25.16 — COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS
- Chapter 25.18 — DOWNTOWN DISTRICTS DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
- Chapter 25.20 — DOWNTOWN DISTRICTS DESIGN GUIDELINES
- Chapter 25.22 — SPECIAL DISTRICTS
- Chapter 25.28 — OVERLAY DISTRICTS
- Chapter 25.34 — SPECIAL USE PROVISIONS
- Chapter 25.40 — SITE DEVELOPMENT PROVISIONS
- Chapter 25.42 — MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS
- Chapter 25.46 — OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING
- Chapter 25.52 — LANDSCAPING
- Chapter 25.56 — SIGNS
- Chapter 25.60 — PROCEDURES
- Chapter 25.62 — NONCONFORMING PROVISIONS
- Chapter 25.64 — DECISIONS BY THE ZONING ADMINISTRATOR
- Chapter 25.68 — DECISIONS BY THE ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION
- Chapter 25.72 — DECISIONS BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION
- Chapter 25.78 — DECISIONS BY THE CITY COUNCIL
- Chapter 25.99 — DEFINITIONS
▸Title 26 — Subdivisions
Overview- Chapter 26.04 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
- Chapter 26.08 — DEFINITIONS
- Chapter 26.12 — GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
- Chapter 26.16 — PROCESSING—RESPONSIBILITIES
- Chapter 26.20 — TENTATIVE MAP
- Chapter 26.24 — FINAL MAP
- Chapter 26.28 — PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT REQUIREMENTS
- Chapter 26.30 — URBAN LOT SPLITS
- Chapter 26.32 — PARCEL SPLITS
- Chapter 26.34 — PARCEL MAP WAIVER
- Chapter 26.36 — DEPOSITS AND FEES
- Chapter 26.40 — DESIGN STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS
- Chapter 26.44 — PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS AND GRADING
- Chapter 26.48 — NEIGHBORHOOD AND COMMUNITY PUBLIC FACILITIES
- Chapter 26.49 — DRAINAGE FACILITIES
- Chapter 26.52 — LIMITATION ON FINAL DECISIONS
- Chapter 26.54 — CONVERSION TO CONDOMINIUMS
▸Title 27 — Grading
▸Title 29 — Cultural Resources
Overview- Chapter 29.10 — PURPOSE
- Chapter 29.20 — DEFINITIONS
- Chapter 29.30 — HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
- Chapter 29.40 — LANDMARKS
- Chapter 29.50 — HISTORIC DISTRICTS
- Chapter 29.60 — CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS PROCESS
- Chapter 29.70 — PRESERVATION INCENTIVES
- Chapter 29.80 — ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES
- Chapter 29.90 — SEVERABILITY
▸Title 30 — Preferential Parking
- Title SR — Statutory References for California Cities
- Title OL — Ordinance List and Disposition Table