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Rancho Mirage · Building on your lot

Building on a hillside in Rancho Mirage

Rancho Mirage's own rules on building on a hillside, with the code text for every value.

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

What Rancho Mirage's code says

Rancho Mirage code What Rancho Mirage's code adds
Grading and retaining walls
  • Access roads may be no steeper than 15 percent grade on any part.
    Applies: Hillside access roads in the R-HR district of the Measure V area.
    § 17.30.080 · code text
    Access roads serving hillside development shall not exceed fifteen percent grade on any portion of the road;
  • Natural slopes over 25 percent must stay undisturbed.
    Applies: R-HR district in the Measure V hillside area.
    § 17.30.080 · code text
    Natural slopes in excess of twenty-five percent shall remain undisturbed;
  • Slopes of 25 percent or more may not be disturbed for vehicle access.
    Applies: R-HR district in the Measure V hillside area.
    § 17.30.080 · code text
    Hillside areas with naturally occurring steep slopes of twenty-five percent or greater shall not be disturbed to provide vehicular access;
When hillside rules apply
  • On-site fire protection is needed on slopes of 10 percent or more.
    Applies: R-HR district in the Measure V area, in hilly areas.
    § 17.30.080 · code text
    Due to the fire hazard of hilly areas with slopes of ten percent or more, access problems, lack of water, and excessively dry brush, adequate on-site fire protection measures shall be provided.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

What extra rules apply to a hillside lot in Rancho Mirage?

Rancho Mirage's code: On-site fire protection is needed on slopes of 10 percent or more. (R-HR district in the Measure V area, in hilly areas.) (§ 17.30.080); Access roads may be no steeper than 15 percent grade on any part. (Hillside access roads in the R-HR district of the Measure V area.) (§ 17.30.080).

General information, not legal advice.

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Ask GoCodebook how Rancho Mirage's building on a hillside rules apply to your situation and get an answer that cites the section.

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Rancho Mirage Municipal Code — full text