Desert Hot Springs · Zoning · VS-C
Desert Hot Springs VS-C zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Desert Hot Springs's VS-C zone, generally buildings can be up to 30 ft (2 stories) tall, the front setback is 15 ft and the minimum lot size is 7,200 sf, with the conditions listed below (Desert Hot Springs code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 30 ft (Residential. Spa and resort hotels are also 30 ft, and the code says they can exceed it with a conditional use permit)
- Maximum number of stories: 2 stories (Residential/Commercial)
- Minimum front setback: 15 ft (garage front yard setback must be at least 20 ft)
- Minimum side setback: 10 ft
- Minimum rear setback: 10 ft
- Minimum lot size: 7,200 sf (Nonresidential)
- Maximum lot coverage: 50%
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 1.00 (Nonresidential)
- Maximum density: 15 du/1 ac
VS-C (Visitor-Serving Commercial) is a zoning district in Desert Hot Springs. Every value below was read from the Desert Hot Springs 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 VS-C
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 | 30 ft Applies: Residential. Spa and resort hotels are also 30 ft, and the code says they can exceed it with a conditional use permit § 17.18.030 · code textTable row “Residential”, column “BUILDING HEIGHT AND STORIES”: 30 ft |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 2 stories Applies: Residential/Commercial § 17.18.030 · code textTable row “Residential/Commercial”, column “BUILDING HEIGHT AND STORIES”: 2 |
| Minimum front setback | 15 ft Applies: garage front yard setback must be at least 20 ft § 17.18.030 · code textTable row “Minimum Front Yard Setback”, column “SETBACKS AND BUILDING SEPARATIONS”: 15 ft 1 |
| Minimum side setback | 10 ft § 17.18.030 · code textTable row “Interior”, column “SETBACKS AND BUILDING SEPARATIONS”: 10 ft; 20 ft for commercial adjacent to residential |
| Minimum rear setback | 10 ft § 17.18.030 · code textTable row “Standard Lot”, column “SETBACKS AND BUILDING SEPARATIONS”: 10 ft; 20 ft for commercial adjacent to residential |
| Minimum lot size | 7,200 sf Applies: Nonresidential § 17.18.030 · code textTable row “Nonresidential”, column “LOT DIMENSIONS, SIZE AND COVERAGE”: 7,200 sf |
| Maximum lot coverage | 50% § 17.18.030 · code textTable row “Maximum Lot Coverage”, column “LOT DIMENSIONS, SIZE AND COVERAGE”: 50% |
| Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) | 1.00 Applies: Nonresidential § 17.18.030 · code textTable row “Maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR) — Nonresidential”, column “DENSITY/FAR”: 1.00 |
| Maximum density | 15 du/1 ac § 17.18.030 · code textTable row “Maximum Density — Residential”, column “DENSITY/FAR”: 15 du/1 ac |
Uses in VS-C
Uses the code's use tables allow in VS-C, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.
- Apartment building — Allowed
- Live-work unit — Needs an administrative use permit
- Senior or assisted living — Needs a conditional use permit
- Church or place of worship — Needs a conditional use permit
- Kennel — Needs a conditional use permit
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in VS-C:
- Maximum number of stories: 5 stories — Spa/Resort Hotel § 17.18.030
- Minimum side setback: 20 ft — Commercial adjacent to residential § 17.18.030
- Minimum rear setback: 20 ft — Commercial adjacent to residential § 17.18.030
- Minimum rear setback: 15 ft — Adjacent to alley § 17.18.030
- Minimum lot size: 10,000 sf — Multifamily § 17.18.030
Other Desert Hot Springs zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Desert Hot Springs's VS-C zone?
30 ft (residential. Spa and resort hotels are also 30 ft, and the code says they can exceed it with a conditional use permit) — Desert Hot Springs Municipal Code § 17.18.030.
What is the maximum number of stories in Desert Hot Springs's VS-C zone?
2 stories (residential/Commercial) — Desert Hot Springs Municipal Code § 17.18.030.
What is the minimum front setback in Desert Hot Springs's VS-C zone?
15 ft (garage front yard setback must be at least 20 ft) — Desert Hot Springs Municipal Code § 17.18.030.
What is the minimum side setback in Desert Hot Springs's VS-C zone?
10 ft — Desert Hot Springs Municipal Code § 17.18.030.
What is the minimum rear setback in Desert Hot Springs's VS-C zone?
10 ft — Desert Hot Springs Municipal Code § 17.18.030.
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a Desert Hot Springs property in VS-C
Ask GoCodebook what you can build at a specific address and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question