Cathedral City · Zoning · I-1
Cathedral City I-1 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Cathedral City's I-1 zone, generally buildings can be up to 36 ft (3 stories) tall, the front setback is height of the primary structure, but not less than 15 ft and the minimum lot size is 20,000 sq ft, with the conditions listed below (Cathedral City code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 36 ft (where abutting a residential district, height is that of the residential district within 50 ft of its boundary)
- Maximum number of stories: 3 stories (where abutting a residential district, height is that of the residential district within 50 ft of its boundary)
- Minimum front setback: height of the primary structure, but not less than 15 ft
- Minimum side setback: None required (10 ft minimum when adjacent to a residential zone, unless an approved development plan says otherwise)
- Minimum rear setback: None required (20 ft minimum when adjacent to a residential zone, unless an approved development plan says otherwise)
- Minimum lot size: 20,000 sq ft
- Maximum lot coverage: 80%
I-1 (LIGHT INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT) is a zoning district in Cathedral City. Every value below was read from the Cathedral City 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 I-1
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 | 36 ft Applies: where abutting a residential district, height is that of the residential district within 50 ft of its boundary § 9.40.050 · code textMaximum building height shall be thirty-six feet or three stories except where abutting a residential district in which case the maximum height shall be that of the residential district, at all locations within fifty feet of the residential district boundary; |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 3 stories Applies: where abutting a residential district, height is that of the residential district within 50 ft of its boundary § 9.40.050 · code textMaximum building height shall be thirty-six feet or three stories except where abutting a residential district in which case the maximum height shall be that of the residential district, at all locations within fifty feet of the residential district boundary; |
| Minimum front setback | height of the primary structure, but not less than 15 ft § 9.40.050 · code textMinimum front yard shall be equal to the height of the primary structure on the lot but in no case less than fifteen feet; |
| Minimum side setback | None required Applies: 10 ft minimum when adjacent to a residential zone, unless an approved development plan says otherwise § 9.40.050 · code textSide yard and rear yard setbacks are not required for lots located in the I-1 zone unless adjacent to a residential zone, and in such case the side yard shall be a minimum of ten feet unless otherwise specified in an approved development plan; |
| Minimum rear setback | None required Applies: 20 ft minimum when adjacent to a residential zone, unless an approved development plan says otherwise § 9.40.050 · code textRear yard setbacks are not required for lots located in the I-1 zone unless adjacent to a residential zone, and in such case the rear yard shall be a minimum of twenty feet unless otherwise specified in an approved development plan; |
| Minimum lot size | 20,000 sq ft § 9.40.050 · code textMinimum lot size shall be twenty thousand square feet; |
| Maximum lot coverage | 80% § 9.40.050 · code textMaximum site coverage shall be eighty percent; |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in I-1:
- Maximum building height: height of the residential district — Abutting a residential district, at all locations within 50 feet of the residential district boundary § 9.40.050
- Minimum side setback: 10 ft — Adjacent to a residential zone, unless otherwise specified in an approved development plan § 9.40.050
- Minimum rear setback: 20 ft — Adjacent to a residential zone, unless otherwise specified in an approved development plan § 9.40.050
Not on this page
We did not find a general FAR, density limit for I-1 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Cathedral City Municipal Code.
Other Cathedral City zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Cathedral City's I-1 zone?
36 ft (where abutting a residential district, height is that of the residential district within 50 ft of its boundary) — Cathedral City Municipal Code § 9.40.050.
What is the maximum number of stories in Cathedral City's I-1 zone?
3 stories (where abutting a residential district, height is that of the residential district within 50 ft of its boundary) — Cathedral City Municipal Code § 9.40.050.
What is the minimum front setback in Cathedral City's I-1 zone?
height of the primary structure, but not less than 15 ft — Cathedral City Municipal Code § 9.40.050.
What is the minimum side setback in Cathedral City's I-1 zone?
None required (10 ft minimum when adjacent to a residential zone, unless an approved development plan says otherwise) — Cathedral City Municipal Code § 9.40.050.
What is the minimum rear setback in Cathedral City's I-1 zone?
None required (20 ft minimum when adjacent to a residential zone, unless an approved development plan says otherwise) — Cathedral City Municipal Code § 9.40.050.
General information, not legal advice.
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