Desert Hot Springs · Land use · Apartment building
Where is an apartment building (multifamily housing) allowed in Desert Hot Springs?
In Desert Hot Springs, an apartment building (multifamily housing) is allowed in 6 base zones (R-M, R-H, MU-N, MU-C, VS-M and 1 more), needs an administrative use permit in 1 (C-D) and not allowed in 6 (Desert Hot Springs use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: R-M, R-H, MU-N, MU-C, VS-M and VS-C
- Needs a permit: C-D
- Not allowed: R-RD, R-L, C-N, C-G, C-H and C-BP
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Desert Hot Springs Municipal Code use tables (read October 2026). Base zones only. General information, not legal advice — check with the city before you apply.
Zones where an apartment building (multifamily housing) can go
Desert Hot Springs's code calls this use “Dwelling, Multifamily”. Each row links to the use table it comes from. A zone marked “see note” has a condition in the code, for example upper floors only or a larger lot.
| Zone | Status | Code |
|---|---|---|
| R-M | Allowed | § 17.08.030 |
| R-H | Allowed | § 17.08.030 |
| MU-N | Allowed | § 17.14.020 |
| MU-C | Allowed | § 17.14.020 |
| VS-M Visitor-Serving Medium | Allowed | § 17.18.020 |
| VS-C Visitor-Serving Commercial | Allowed | § 17.18.020 |
| C-D Downtown Commercial | Needs an administrative use permit | § 17.12.020 |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- Standards for this use: § 17.08.150 Multifamily (code section column of S1); § 17.12.280 (S2); § 17.08.040 (S3).
- State law: State laws such as AB 2011, SB 6 and the density bonus law can allow homes on some commercial sites, or more units than this table shows.
- Not covered here: Specific plan tables (S13-S17: Desert Gateway, Coachillin', Planning areas PA-1/PA-2, Desert Storage, Pierson Commercial) treated as non-base; SPA-1-02 district (S8) and PD district (S9): uses by list or case by case; Public Use Districts: zone code not given in the text; Zone names for all base codes are not stated in the packet. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Desert Hot Springs
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have an apartment building (multifamily housing) in the C-D zone in Desert Hot Springs?
Only with an administrative use permit. Desert Hot Springs's use table lists it that way in C-D (Downtown Commercial) (§ 17.12.020).
Can I have an apartment building (multifamily housing) in the R-RD zone in Desert Hot Springs?
No. Desert Hot Springs's use table does not allow it in R-RD (§ 17.08.030).
Can I have an apartment building (multifamily housing) in the R-M zone in Desert Hot Springs?
Yes. Desert Hot Springs's use table lists it as allowed in R-M (§ 17.08.030).
General information, not legal advice.
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