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Palm Desert, CA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Lot Coverage Limits (2026)

Q: What is the maximum lot coverage for an R-1 lot in the City of Palm Desert?

Table 25.10-3 prints 35 percent for each of the three R-1 lot-size tiers. Note 2 says lot coverage can be increased to as much as 50 percent pending ARC approval, through the design review process. The tier is set by the square footage shown on the zoning map, per note 3.

Q: Does Palm Desert require pervious surface on a residential lot?

Yes. Section 25.52.030(B) requires at least 25 percent of the lot area in residential districts to be pervious surface, and no more than 40 percent of the front yard area to be non-pervious surface, such as a driveway. That floor sits in the landscaping chapter, separate from the Table 25.10-3 coverage cap.

Q: How is building coverage set in a planned residential project in the City of Palm Desert?

Section 25.10.050(B)(6)(d) sets a maximum building coverage of 40 percent for projects under 7 dwelling units per acre, 50 percent for 7 to 18 dwelling units per acre, and 80 percent for projects with 18+ dwelling units per acre. The Table 25.10-3 PR column prints 50%.

Q: What coverage applies on a hillside building pad in the City of Palm Desert?

On a previously approved existing building pad, building size is limited to 35 percent of the approved building pad, increased up to 50 percent with ARC approval, under § 25.10.050(A)(3)(b). Enlarging a previously approved existing building pad requires a new public hearing.

Some Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified October 2026

Key Facts

RE: 30 percent of lot area
R-1: 35 percent; up to 50 percent with ARC approval
R-2 and R-3: 60 percent in R-2, 75 percent in R-3
HPR and PR: 10 percent in HPR, 50 percent in PR
Pervious surface: At least 25 percent of residential lot area
Front yard paving: No more than 40 percent non-pervious

Summary

In the City of Palm Desert, California, Table 25.10-3 caps residential lot coverage at 30 percent in RE, 35 percent in R-1, 60 percent in R-2, 75 percent in R-3, 10 percent in HPR and 50 percent in PR. R-1 coverage can reach 50 percent with Architectural Review Commission approval.

Table 25.10-3: ... Residential Zoning District Development Standards Measurement/ Zoning District RE3 R-13 R-2 R-3 R-1M1 HPR4 P.R.5 ≥1 ac ≥15,000 sf ≥10,000 sf, but ≤15,000 sf <10,000 sf ... Coverage Lot coverage, max percentage of lot area 30% 35%2 35%2 35%2 60% 75% – 10% 50% ... Lot coverage may be increased to as much as 50 percent pending ARC approval, through the design review process.

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Full Breakdown

The Coverage row of Table 25.10-3 in § 25.10.050 prints "Lot coverage, max percentage of lot area" as 30%, 35%, 35%, 35%, 60%, 75%, a dash, 10% and 50%. Read against the table's columns, that is 30 percent in RE, 35 percent in each of the three R-1 lot-size tiers, 60 percent in R-2, 75 percent in R-3, no figure in R-1M, 10 percent in HPR and 50 percent in PR. Note 2 attaches to the R-1 figures: lot coverage can be increased to as much as 50 percent pending ARC approval, through the design review process. Note 3 adds that the standards are based on the square footage shown on the zoning map, not necessarily the physical lot size.

The planned residential district has its own project-level cap. Under § 25.10.050(B)(6)(d), projects of less than 7 dwelling units per acre have a maximum building coverage of 40 percent, projects of 7 to 18 dwelling units per acre have 50 percent, and projects with 18+ dwelling units per acre have 80 percent. Common open space is a separate floor in the same section: 30 percent of the net area for projects under 7 dwelling units per acre and 20 percent for projects of 7 to 18.

Hillside lots work differently. The HPR column of the table prints a building pad area maximum of 10,000 sf. Under § 25.10.050(A)(3)(b), a home and accessory structures can be built on a previously approved existing building pad without a public hearing, with building size limited to 35 percent of the approved building pad and increased up to 50 percent with ARC approval.

Impervious surface has a separate limit in the landscaping chapter. Section 25.52.030(B) requires that for residential districts at least 25 percent of the lot area be pervious surface, and no more than 40 percent of the front yard area be non-pervious surface, such as a driveway. Deviations are possible through site plan and architectural review for small-lot single-family developments at master home plan review where these standards preclude the maximum lot coverage from being achieved.

Violations & Fines

A structure or use contrary to the zoning title is declared unlawful and a public nuisance under § 25.60.140(B). Under § 25.60.140(C), a first violation is an infraction, a second or later violation of the same provision is a misdemeanor, and each day is a separate offense. The Director enforces the title's provisions on construction and additions to buildings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum lot coverage for an R-1 lot in the City of Palm Desert?

Table 25.10-3 prints 35 percent for each of the three R-1 lot-size tiers. Note 2 says lot coverage can be increased to as much as 50 percent pending ARC approval, through the design review process. The tier is set by the square footage shown on the zoning map, per note 3.

Does Palm Desert require pervious surface on a residential lot?

Yes. Section 25.52.030(B) requires at least 25 percent of the lot area in residential districts to be pervious surface, and no more than 40 percent of the front yard area to be non-pervious surface, such as a driveway. That floor sits in the landscaping chapter, separate from the Table 25.10-3 coverage cap.

How is building coverage set in a planned residential project in the City of Palm Desert?

Section 25.10.050(B)(6)(d) sets a maximum building coverage of 40 percent for projects under 7 dwelling units per acre, 50 percent for 7 to 18 dwelling units per acre, and 80 percent for projects with 18+ dwelling units per acre. The Table 25.10-3 PR column prints 50%.

What coverage applies on a hillside building pad in the City of Palm Desert?

On a previously approved existing building pad, building size is limited to 35 percent of the approved building pad, increased up to 50 percent with ARC approval, under § 25.10.050(A)(3)(b). Enlarging a previously approved existing building pad requires a new public hearing.

Sources & Official References

[1]Palm Desert Municipal Code (eCode360)

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Palm Desert, CA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Lot Coverage Limits (2026)

Key Facts

Summary

Palm Desert Municipal Code § 25.10.050

Full Breakdown

Violations & Fines

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Palm Desert

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