Palm Desert, CA Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)

Section 15.02.010 of the Palm Desert Municipal Code adopts Chapter 1, Division II, of the California Building Code, 2025 Edition, as the administrative provisions for construction, alteration, repair, moving, demolition and occupancy of buildings and structures in the City of Palm Desert. Section 15.02.020 then amends that text. Amended Section 103.1 creates the City of Palm Desert Building and Safety Division, headed by the Chief Building Official, to administer and enforce the code.

The local list of work exempt from a permit under Section 105.2 covers one-story detached light-framed structures accessory to a Group R-3 or U occupancy, such as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, trellis structures, gazebos, arbors and greenhouses, where the gross floor area does not exceed 120 square feet measured to the outside walls or support posts. Such a structure can still be regulated by the California Wildland Urban-Interface Code even though no permit is needed. Fences, block walls and retaining walls that are not over 3 feet 6 inches high are also exempt, but the Planning Division must approve location and materials.

Permits do not stay open indefinitely. Under Section 105.5 a permit becomes invalid if work is not commenced within 12 months after issuance, or if work is suspended, abandoned or without progress for 12 months. Progress means obtaining approval of one or more required inspections. Before expiration the building official can grant a written extension of up to 180 days, and no permit is extended past two years from issuance unless significant cause is shown. A request for an extension after the application expiration date is subject to any newly adopted laws, ordinances and regulations. Once a permit has expired a new permit is required, and the reactivation fee is 1/2 the amount required for a new permit, provided the plans are unchanged and the expiration has not exceeded one year. Permits tied to a code enforcement action can carry expiration dates of less than 180 days at the building official's discretion.

Section 105.8 limits who can pull certain permits: electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits for occupancies other than R-3 and associated U go only to a California licensed contractor holding the appropriate specialty license. Appeals of building decisions go to the Building Board of Appeals under Chapter 2.18.