Building Setbacks & Zoning in Palm Desert, CA (2026)
3 verified building setbacks & zoning rules for Palm Desert, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
In the City of Palm Desert, California, minimum residential yards come from Table 25.10-3 in § 25.10.050, from a 30 foot front yard and 50 foot rear yard in the RE district down to a 10 foot front and 10 foot rear yard in R-3. R-1 setbacks step down by the lot size on the zoning map.
Residential Yard Setbacks in the City of Palm Desert, CA
Some RestrictionsPalm Desert Municipal Code § 25.10.050
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 ... Setbacks Front yard, min 30′ 25′ 20′ 20′ 12′ 10′ 20′ /5′ – – Side yard, min 15′ 15′ 8′ 5′ 6 5′ 8′ 10′ /5′ – – Combined both sides, min 30′ 30′ 20′ 10′ 6 10′ 10′ – – – Street side yard, min 30′ 15′ 10′ 10′ 1...
Structure Height Limits
In the City of Palm Desert, California, Table 25.10-3 sets residential height at 15 feet in RE and R-1, with 18 feet on Architectural Review Commission approval. R-2 allows 30 feet with ARC approval, R-3 and PR allow 40 feet, and R-1M allows 18 feet.
Residential Building Height Limits in the City of Palm Desert, CA
Some RestrictionsPalm Desert Municipal Code § 25.10.050
9. Building Height. ... The maximum building height in a PR district shall be 40 feet or three-story, whichever is less, or as approved by the Planning Commission. ... 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 ... Building Measurements Height, max 15′ (18′...
Lot Coverage Limits
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.
Residential Lot Coverage Limits in the City of Palm Desert, CA
Some RestrictionsPalm Desert Municipal Code § 25.10.050
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.
Looking for Riverside County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Palm Desert city rules.
Building Setbacks & Zoning in Riverside County →