Environmental Rules in Palm Springs, CA (2026)
5 verified environmental rules for Palm Springs, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Palm Springs bans any discharge into its storm drain system that is not composed entirely of stormwater, covering everything from construction wash water to dumped refuse and abandoned vehicles. The Director of Transportation administers the rule, inspects premises on 24 hours' notice, and can prosecute a violation as a misdemeanor carrying up to a $1,000 fine and six months in jail.
Stormwater Discharge Rules in Palm Springs
Some RestrictionsPalm Springs, CA, Municipal Code § 8.70.050(a) (Illicit Discharges Prohibited); § 8.70.060(a) (Reduction of Pollutants); § 8.70.140(b)(1) (Enforcement)
No person shall cause, facilitate or permit any illicit discharge to the storm drain system except as follows: ... No person shall discharge, or cause or permit to be discharged, any "waste," "yard waste," "hazardous waste" or "infectious waste" (as such terms are defined in Chapter 6.04 of this code) into the storm drain system including depositing, placement, or maintenance of any refuse, rub...
Erosion Control
Every construction site in Palm Springs must control erosion and sediment under Riverside County Ordinance 457, which the city adopts by reference in Section 8.70.090. The City Engineer can also require hydrology calculations, drainage maps and on-site stormwater retention for new development before grading begins.
Construction Erosion Control in Palm Springs
Some RestrictionsPalm Springs, CA, Municipal Code § 8.70.090 (Construction Sites); § 8.70.140(b)(2) (Enforcement, Infraction Penalty)
Any person performing construction work in the city shall comply with the provisions of this chapter, and Ordinance 457 of the County of Riverside for erosion and sediment control. A copy of Ordinance No. 457, an ordinance of the county of Riverside, is on file in the office of the city clerk. ... Any person who may otherwise be charged with a misdemeanor as a result of a violation of this chap...
Flood Zones
Anyone building or developing within a Palm Springs area of special flood hazard must first obtain an area of special flood hazard development permit from the city, submitting scaled plans showing elevations, drainage, utility locations and the regulatory floodway before work begins. The permit requirement covers manufactured homes as well as standard construction.
Flood Zone Development Permits in Palm Springs
Some RestrictionsPalm Springs, CA, Municipal Code § 8.68.150 (Area of Special Flood Hazard Development Permit)
An area of special flood hazard development permit shall be obtained before any construction or other development, including manufactured homes, within any area of special flood hazard established in Section 8.68.070. Application for an area of special flood hazard development permit shall be made on forms furnished by the city and shall be accompanied by a fee in such amount as has been prescr...
Defensible Space
Palm Springs' Wildland-Urban Interface Code, adopted at Municipal Code Section 8.04.090, requires hazardous vegetation and fuels around buildings to be maintained under five named state authorities, from Public Resources Code Section 4291 clearance to the Fire Department's own Appendix S vegetation map. New construction in a Wildfire Risk Area needs a Fire Code Official-approved fuel modification plan before grading begins.
Defensible Space Rules in Palm Springs
Some RestrictionsPalm Springs, CA, Municipal Code § 8.04.090 (California WUI Code § 603.5)
603.5 Additional Requirements. Hazardous vegetation and fuels around all applicable buildings and structure shall be maintained in accordance with the following laws and regulations: 1. Public Resources Code, Section 4291. 2. California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 1.5, Chapter 7, Subchapter 3, Section 1299 (see guidance for implementation "General Guideline to Create Defensible Spac...
Flood Elevation Requirements
Palm Springs requires new and substantially improved homes in AE, AH and A1-30 flood zones to elevate the lowest floor, including any basement, at least two feet above the base flood elevation shown on FEMA's flood insurance rate map. Nonresidential buildings can floodproof to the same level instead of elevating.
Base Flood Elevation Rules in Palm Springs
Some RestrictionsPalm Springs, CA, Municipal Code § 8.68.170(c)(1)(A) (Elevation and Floodproofing, Residential Construction); § 8.68.050 (Definitions, Base Flood Elevation)
"Base flood elevation (BFE)" means the elevation shown on the flood insurance rate map for zones AE, AH, A1-30, VE and V1- ... 30 that indicates the water surface elevation resulting from a flood that has a one percent or greater chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. ... All new construction or substantial improvements of residential structures shall have the lowest floor, incl...
Looking for Riverside County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Palm Springs city rules.
Environmental Rules in Riverside County →