Historic homes in Palm Springs: the local rules

Each rule below links to the section of the Palm Springs Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Palm Springs's code says

Palm Springs code What Palm Springs's code adds
Changing a historic home	A Certificate of Appropriateness is required. Applies: Any major or minor alteration that may materially impair contributing resources within a historic district. § 8.05.120 · code text Any major or minor alteration that may materially impair contributing resources within the district, as determined by the HPO. The HSPB reviews the permit application. Applies: Demolition or major alteration of any Class 3 building. § 8.05.130 · code text The HSPB shall review a permit application for: (i) Demolition or major alteration of any Class 3 building; The HPO reviews the permit application. Applies: Minor alteration of any Class 3 building. § 8.05.130 · code text The HPO shall review a permit application for: (i) Minor alteration of any Class 3 building;
Demolishing an older or historic home	A Certificate of Appropriateness is required. Applies: Demolition of a contributing resource within a historic district. § 8.05.120 · code text Demolition or alteration of a contributing resource within the historic district; The HSPB reviews the demolition permit application. Applies: Demolition of any Class 3 building. § 8.05.130 · code text The HSPB shall review a permit application for: (i) Demolition or major alteration of any Class 3 building; The demolition or alteration permit is automatically stayed for up to 120 days. Applies: Class 3 or Class 4 building, when the HPO or HSPB directs review of redesignation as a Class 1 or Class 2 historic resource. § 8.05.130 · code text If the HPO or HSPB takes this action, the permit for demolition or alteration shall be automatically stayed for a period of up to 120 days to allow time for processing the redesignation application. The stay may be extended once, by 1 additional 60 day period, pending a decision. Applies: After the initial 120 day stay for redesignation review of a Class 3 or Class 4 building. § 8.05.130 · code text The HPO or HSPB, whichever is applicable, may extend the stay of the permit for one additional 60 day period pending a decision; No demolition permit until replacement entitlement and building permits are issued. Applies: Demolition of a Class 3 or Class 4 building. § 8.05.130 · code text The City shall not issue a demolition permit for a Class 3 or Class 4 building which is subject to this section unless and until an entitlement for a replacement building or structure on the site has been granted by the City, and building permits for such entitlement have been issued.
Work that needs no review	No Certificate of Appropriateness required. Applies: Minor alteration of a non-contributing resource that does not materially impair contributing resources. § 8.05.120 · code text Minor alteration of a non-contributing resource, where such alteration does not materially impair contributing resources within the district, as determined by the HPO; No Certificate of Appropriateness required. Applies: Standard maintenance or repair work. § 8.05.120 · code text Standard maintenance or repair work to a contributing or non-contributing resource; No Certificate of Appropriateness required. Applies: Like-for-like replacement or reconstruction of an exterior feature. § 8.05.120 · code text The replacement or reconstruction of any exterior feature of a contributing resource with a suitable substitute on a "like for like" basis, as determined by the HPO No Certificate of Appropriateness required. Applies: Interior modifications, except as otherwise required for public buildings. § 8.05.120 · code text Modifications to the interior of a contributing or non-contributing resource, except as otherwise required under this Section for public buildings; No Certificate of Appropriateness required. Applies: Repainting that does not impact character-defining features and follows adopted guidelines or historic color. § 8.05.120 · code text The repainting of a contributing resource, where such repainting work will not impact the characterdefining features of the historic district, and is consistent with any design guidelines that have been adopted for the historic district or is consistent with the color as existed historically; HSPB or HPO review is not required. Applies: Work ordered by final court ruling, administrative order or similar decision to abate a public nuisance or correct a legal violation. § 8.05.130 · code text HSPB or HPO review of a demolition or alteration permit application shall not be required where the demolition or alteration has been ordered by final court ruling, administrative order, or similar decision to abate a public nuisance or otherwise correct a violation of Federal, State or local law occurring in or on the site.

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What rules apply to a historic home in Palm Springs?

Palm Springs's code: A Certificate of Appropriateness is required. (Any major or minor alteration that may materially impair contributing resources within a historic district.) (§ 8.05.120); The HSPB reviews the permit application. (Demolition or major alteration of any Class 3 building.) (§ 8.05.130).

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