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Desert Hot Springs · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Desert Hot Springs

Desert Hot Springs sets its own limits on fences, accessory structures and home businesses. Fence height depends on the yard and corner sight areas, and some businesses may not run from a home.

Ask about building on your lot in Desert Hot Springs See coverage

Key points

  • Fence height: Desert Hot Springs limits residential fences to 4 feet in front and street-facing setbacks and 6 feet in rear or side yards.
  • Accessory height: Desert Hot Springs limits accessory structures to the height of the main structure, unless stored items such as a recreational vehicle need more.
  • Banned businesses: Desert Hot Springs does not allow some home businesses, including barber shops, animal grooming, carpentry, medical offices, vehicle repair and welding.

Each rule below is marked Desert Hot Springs code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

Fences and walls

Desert Hot Springs code Desert Hot Springs limits residential fences to 4 feet in front and street-facing setbacks and 6 feet in rear or side yards.

All 3 Desert Hot Springs rules on fences and walls, with the code text →

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Desert Hot Springs code Desert Hot Springs limits accessory structures to the height of the main structure, unless stored items such as a recreational vehicle need more.

All 3 Desert Hot Springs rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →

Running a business from home

Desert Hot Springs code What Desert Hot Springs's code adds
Businesses not allowed
  • Barber and beauty shop; businesses which entail the harboring, training, breeding, raising, or grooming of dogs, cats, or other animals on the premises; carpentry and cabinet making; medical and dental offices, clinics, and laboratories; mini-storage; repair, fix-it, or plumbing shops; storage of equipment, materials, and other accessories to the construction and service trades; vehicle repair (body or mechanical), upholstery, and painting; manufacturing, warehousing and distribution; welding and machining; any other use determined by the Director to be not incidental nor compatible with residential activities
    § 17.108.040 · code text
    The following are examples of uses that are not incidental to nor compatible with residential activities, and are prohibited:

RV and boat parking

Desert Hot Springs code Only in an approved mobile home park storage space, or a space designated for a mobile home or recreation park. May park in front of or next to property the owner or occupant owns, leases, or legally occupies.

All 4 Desert Hot Springs rules on RV and boat parking, with the code text →

Solar panels and EV chargers

Desert Hot Springs code Administrative, nondiscretionary review; approved if it meets the checklist and has no specific, adverse impact on public health or safety. A permit is required before installing, operating, or maintaining an EV charging station.

All 4 Desert Hot Springs rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →

Building in a flood zone

Desert Hot Springs code What Desert Hot Springs's code adds
Floodplain permit
  • A development permit is needed before any construction or development, including manufactured homes, in a special flood hazard area.
    § 15.68.140 · code text
    A development permit shall be obtained before any construction or other development, including manufactured homes, within any area of special flood hazard established in Section 15.68.070.
Height of the lowest floor
  • The lowest floor must be at or above the base flood elevation.
    Applies: New or substantially improved homes in AE, AH and A1-30 zones.
    § 15.68.160 · code text
    In AE, AH, A1-30 Zones, elevated to or above the base flood elevation.
  • The lowest floor must be at least the flood map's depth number, in feet, above the highest adjacent grade.
    Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone where the flood map (FIRM) shows a depth number.
    § 15.68.160 · code text
    In an AO Zone, elevated above the highest adjacent grade to a height equal to or exceeding the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM, or elevated at least two feet above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified.
  • The lowest floor must be at least 2 feet above the highest adjacent grade.
    Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone where the flood map (FIRM) shows no depth number.
    § 15.68.160 · code text
    In an AO Zone, elevated above the highest adjacent grade to a height equal to or exceeding the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM, or elevated at least two feet above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified.
  • The lowest floor must be at or above the base flood elevation.
    Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an unnumbered A zone, where the flood map (FIRM) shows no base flood elevation.
    § 15.68.160 · code text
    In an A Zone, without BFEs specified on the FIRM (unnumbered A zone), elevated to or above the base flood elevation; as determined under Section 15.68.130(C).

Park and impact fees for new homes

Desert Hot Springs code Exempt: altering, renovating or expanding an existing building that adds no dwelling units and keeps the same use. Exempt: replacing a destroyed or damaged building with a new one of the same size and use.

All 3 Desert Hot Springs rules on park and impact fees for new homes, with the code text →

Outdoor lighting

Desert Hot Springs code No glare may be visible beyond any boundary line of the parcel. Partial shielding is required.

All 11 Desert Hot Springs rules on outdoor lighting, with the code text →

Garage and yard sales

Desert Hot Springs code What Desert Hot Springs's code adds
Permit
  • A Garage Sale Permit is required; the fee is $10 per participating dwelling unit.
    § 17.173.040 · code text
    The applicant shall fill out the appropriate application, pay the required fee of $10 per participating dwelling unit, and then submit them to the Planning Department.
Signs
  • No off-site signs or flyers; 1 on-site sign is allowed.
    § 17.173.060 · code text
    However, applicants can have 1 on-site sign to advertise garage sales.

Family child care homes

CA state law California law
Zoning
A small or large family child care home is a residential use and a use by right under all local ordinances, including zoning
Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(a)
Business license or fee
A city or county may not charge a business license, fee or tax to run a family child care home
Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(b)
Local rules
Local limits on height, setbacks, lot size, health and safety must be the same as for every other home in the same zone
Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(e)
Small home
Up to eight children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there
Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(c)
Large home
7 to 14 children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there
Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(b)

Home alarm permits and false alarms

Desert Hot Springs code What Desert Hot Springs's code adds
Alarm permit
  • An alarm user's permit is required. The fee is not stated.
    § 5.36.100 · code text
    No person shall use, maintain or possess a police or fire alarm system on premises within the City unless that person has obtained an alarm user’s permit from the appropriate Chief.

Signs on homes

Desert Hot Springs code Not more than 10 days after the event. Remove it immediately when the event ends.

All 12 Desert Hot Springs rules on signs on homes, with the code text →

Other Desert Hot Springs rules on this

Desert Hot Springs's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Can I run a business from my home in Desert Hot Springs?

Desert Hot Springs does not allow some home businesses, including barber shops, animal grooming, carpentry, medical offices, vehicle repair and welding.

What are the rules for building in a Desert Hot Springs flood zone?

Desert Hot Springs's code: A development permit is needed before any construction or development, including manufactured homes, in a special flood hazard area. (§ 15.68.140); The lowest floor must be at or above the base flood elevation. (New or substantially improved homes in AE, AH and A1-30 zones.) (§ 15.68.160).

What are the garage sale rules in Desert Hot Springs?

Desert Hot Springs's code: A Garage Sale Permit is required; the fee is $10 per participating dwelling unit. (§ 17.173.040); No off-site signs or flyers; 1 on-site sign is allowed. (§ 17.173.060).

Can I run a family child care home in Desert Hot Springs?

California law sets this for every city, including Desert Hot Springs: Zoning: A small or large family child care home is a residential use and a use by right under all local ordinances, including zoning (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(a)); Business license or fee: A city or county may not charge a business license, fee or tax to run a family child care home (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(b)); Local rules: Local limits on height, setbacks, lot size, health and safety must be the same as for every other home in the same zone (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(e)); Small home: Up to eight children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there (Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(c)); Large home: 7 to 14 children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there (Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(b)).

Do I need a permit for a home alarm in Desert Hot Springs?

Desert Hot Springs's code: An alarm user's permit is required. The fee is not stated. (§ 5.36.100).

General information, not legal advice.

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