HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 1405ORDINANCE NO. 1405
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM
DESERT, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING A NOTICE OF EXEMPTION
PURSUANT TO THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY ACT (CEQA) AND APPROVING A ZONING ORDINANCE
AMENDMENT (ZOA) TO MODIFY SECTIONS OF CHAPTER 25
(ZONING) OF THE PALM DESERT MUNICIPAL CODE CASE NO. ZOA23-
0002
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of Palm Desert, California, did
on the 3rd day of October 2023, hold a duly noticed public hearing to consider the request
by the City of Palm Desert for approval of Zoning Ordinance Amendment 23 -0002 and
adopted Planning Commission resolution No. 2845, recommending that the City Council
adopt Zoning Ordinance Amendment (ZOA) 23-0002; and
WHEREAS, the ZOA modifies the Palm Desert Municipal Code (PDMC) Chapter
25 (Zoning) to change and update land uses and definitions ; and
WHEREAS, under Section 21067 of the Public Resources Code, Section 15367
of the State California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines (Cal. Code Regs.,
tit. 14, § 15000 et seq.) and the City of Palm Desert’s (“City’s”) Local CEQA Guidelines,
the City is the lead agency for the Project; and
WHEREAS, the Project has complied with the requirements of the "City of Palm
Desert Procedure for Implementation of CEQA” Resolution No. 2019-41, in that the
Director of Development Services has determined that the Project will not have a
foreseeable significant impact on the environment and that the Project is eligible for an
exemption exempt Section 15061(b)(3) General Rule of the CEQA Guidelines; therefore,
no further environmental review is necessary at this time; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Palm Desert, California, did on the 26th
day of October 2023, hold a duly noticed public hearing to consider the request by the
City of Palm Desert for approval of ZOA23-0002 to modify sections of Chapter 25; and
WHEREAS, at the said public hearing, upon hearing and considering all testimony
and arguments, if any, of all interested persons desiring to be heard, the City Council did
find the following facts and reasons, which are outlined in the staff report, exist to justify
approval of said request:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Palm
Desert, California, as follows:
SECTION 1. Adoption of Recitals. The City Council hereby finds that the foregoing
recitals are true and correct and are incorporated herein as substantive findings of this
Ordinance.
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SECTION 2. Amendment. The City Council of the City of Palm Desert approves and
adopts the PDMC amendment to Title 25 as shown in Exhibit “A” which is attached hereto
and incorporated herewith.
SECTION 3. CEQA. The City Council finds that the adoption of this ordinance is
not a “project” as defined in the CEQA because it does not have the potential for resulting
in either a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect
physical change in the environment and concerns general policy and procedures.
SECTION 4. Severability. If any section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph,
sentence, clause, or phrase in this ordinance or any part thereof is for any reason held to
be unconstitutional or invalid, or ineffective by any court of competent jurisdiction, such
decision shall not affect the validity or effectiveness of the remaining portions of this
ordinance or any part thereof. The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed
each section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause, or phrase thereof ,
irrespective of the fact that one (1) or more subsections, subdivisions, paragraphs,
sentences, clauses, or phrases be declared unconstitutional, invalid, or ineffective.
SECTION 5. Publication. The City Clerk of the City of Palm Desert, California, is
hereby directed to publish this Ordinance in The Desert Sun, a newspaper of general
circulation, published and circulated in the City of Palm Desert, California, and shall be in
full force and effective 30 days after its adoption.
ADOPTED ON NOVEMBER 16, 2023.
KATHLEEN KELLY
MAYOR
ATTEST:
ANTHONY J. MEJIA
CITY CLERK
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I, Anthony J. Mejia, City Clerk of the City of Palm Desert, hereby certify that
Ordinance No. 1405 is a full, true, and correct copy, and was introduced at a regular
meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Desert on October 26, 2023, and adopted
at a regular meeting of the City Council held on November 16, 2023, by the following vote:
AYES: HARNIK, NESTANDE, QUINTANILLA, TRUBEE AND KELLY
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
RECUSED: NONE
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the
City of Palm Desert, California, on __________________.
ANTHONY J. MEJIA
CITY CLERK
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11/17/2023
Ordinance No. 1405 Page 4
EXHIBIT A
ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT
SECTION 1. Amendment to Palm Desert Municipal Code. Palm Desert Municipal Code
section 25.06.030 is hereby amended as follows:
25.16.030 Allowed Land Uses and Permit Requirements
Table 25.16-1 (Use Matrix for Commercial and Industrial Districts) identifies allowed uses
and corresponding permit requirements for commercial and industrial districts and all other
provisions of this title. Descriptions/definitions of the land uses can be found in
Chapter 25.99 (Definitions). The “Special Use Provisions” column in the table identifies the
specific chapter or section where additional regulations for the specific use type are located
within this title.
Use regulations in the table are shown with representative sym bols by use classification
listing: “P” symbolizes uses permitted by right, “A” symbolizes uses that require approval of
an administrative use permit, “C” symbolizes uses that require approval of a conditional use
permit, and “N” symbolizes uses that are not permitted. Uses that are not listed are not
permitted. However, the Commission may make a use determination as outlined in
Section 25.72.020 (Use Determinations).
Table 25.16-1: Use Matrix for Commercial and Industrial Districts
Commercial/Industrial District
(P=Permitted; A=Administrative Use Permit; C=Conditional Use
Permit; N=Not Permitted)
OP PC-1
PC-
2
PC-
3
PC-
4 SI
Special
Use
Provisions
Residential Uses
Caretaker housing N N N N N P 25.16.040.A
Condominium C C C N C C 25.16.040.B
Dwelling, duplex C C C C C C 25.16.040.B
Dwelling,
multifamily
C C C C C C 25.16.040.B
Dwelling, single-
family
C C C N C C 25.16.040.B
Group home C C N N C C 25.16.040.B
Single-room
occupancies
N N N N N C
Homeless shelter N N N N N P
Recreation, Resource Preservation, Open Space,
and Public Assembly Uses
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Commercial/Industrial District
(P=Permitted; A=Administrative Use Permit; C=Conditional Use
Permit; N=Not Permitted)
OP PC-1
PC-
2
PC-
3
PC-
4 SI
Special
Use
Provisions
Amusement
facility, indoors
N N C C C N
Amusement
facility, outdoors
N N N C C N
Community facility N N N N N P
Day care center N A A A A N
Emergency
shelters
N P N N N P
Entertainment
facility, indoor
N N N P P N
Entertainment
facility, outdoor
N N N P P N
Institution,
educational
C C C N N C
Institution, general C N C N N C
Institution,
religious
C N C N N C
Open space
(developed or
natural)
N P P N P N
Recreation facility,
commercial
N N P P P N
Recreation facility,
private
N N N P P N
Theater/auditorium N N P P N N
Utility, Transportation, Public Facility, and
Communication Uses
Commercial
communication
tower
C C C C C C 25.16.040.C
Commercial
parking lot
C N N N N N
Public utility
installation
N N N N N P
Public facility
(utility or service)
N N N N N P
Utility facility N N C N N P
Retail, Service,
and Office Uses
Accessory
massage
establishment
P N P P P N 25.34.160
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Commercial/Industrial District
(P=Permitted; A=Administrative Use Permit; C=Conditional Use
Permit; N=Not Permitted)
OP PC-1
PC-
2
PC-
3
PC-
4 SI
Special
Use
Provisions
Adult
entertainment
N N N N N C 25.16.040.D
Ancillary
commercial
A P P P N A 25.16.040.E
Art gallery A P P P P C
Art studio A P P P P C
Bed and breakfast N A A A A N
Business support
services
N N N N P P
Cannabis retail N C C C C N 25.34.120
Cannabis testing
and research
laboratory
C N N N N C 25.34.120
Convention and
visitors bureau
N N P N P N
Drugstore N P P P N N
Financial
institution
C P P P N N
Grocery store N P P P N N 25.16.040.F
Health club, gyms
or studios
N A P P P A
Hotel N A A A P N 25.34.070
Independent
stand-alone
massage
N N P P N N 25.34.160
Liquor store N P P P N N
Liquor, beverage
and food items
shop
N P P P P N
Medical, clinic P N P P N N
Medical, office P P P P N N
Medical, hospital N N N N N C
Medical,
laboratory
P N N N N P
Medical office,
accessory
N N N N N P 25.16.040.G
Medical, research
facility
P P N N N C
Mortuary N N N N N P
Office,
professional
P N P P P P
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Commercial/Industrial District
(P=Permitted; A=Administrative Use Permit; C=Conditional Use
Permit; N=Not Permitted)
OP PC-1
PC-
2
PC-
3
PC-
4 SI
Special
Use
Provisions
Office, local
government
P N N N N P
Office, travel
agency
P P P P P N
Outdoor sales N N A A A A
Personal services N P P P P N
Restaurant A A A A P A 25.16.040.E
/ H
Retail N P P P P N
Retail, bulky items N N N P P N
Spa N N P P P N
Time-share project N N N C C N
Veterinary
clinics/animal
hospitals
A N A A N A 25.34.210
Pet boarding N A A A N A
Automobile and
Vehicle Uses
Automotive rental
agency
N N N N P P
Automotive
gasoline station
N N C C N C 25.34.090
Automotive
service facility
N N C C N P 25.34.090
Automotive sales
new and used
(outdoor/indoor)
N N N N N C
(outdoor) A
(indoor)
Automotive sales
of accessory parts
and supplies
N N N P P N
Golf cart,
neighborhood
electric vehicle
(NEV) sales
(indoor)
N N N N N C
(outdoor),
A (indoor)
25.34.190
Vehicle storage
facility
N N N N N P 25.16.040.I
Industrial,
Manufacturing,
and Processing
Uses
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Commercial/Industrial District
(P=Permitted; A=Administrative Use Permit; C=Conditional Use
Permit; N=Not Permitted)
OP PC-1
PC-
2
PC-
3
PC-
4 SI
Special
Use
Provisions
Cannabis
cultivation
N N N N N C 25.34.120
Cannabis delivery N N N N N C 25.34.120
Cannabis
distribution
N N N N N C 25.34.120
Cannabis
manufacturing
N N N N N C 25.34.120
Industrial planned
unit development
N N N N N P
Light industrial and
research and
development
N N N N N P
Maintenance
facility
N N N N N P
Personal Storage
Facility
N N N N N C 25.34.200
Pest control facility N N N N N P
Preparation of
foodstuffs
N N N N N P
Production of
home and office
decor accessories
N N N N N P
Warehouse N N N N N P
Temporary Uses See Section 25.34.080
1 The establishment may be permitted with an administrative use permit but may be
elevated to a conditional use permit at the discretion of the ZA based on: parking, traffic, or
other impacts.
(Ord. 1384 § 1, 2022; Ord. 1329 § 3, 2017; Ord. 1324 § 5, 2017; Ord. 1302 § 2, 2016; Ord.
1279 § 6, 2015; Ord. 1277 § 4, 2014; Ord. 1259 § 1, 2013)
SECTION 2. Amendment to Palm Desert Municipal Code. Palm Desert Municipal
Code section 25.18.040 is hereby amended as follows:
25.18.040 Land Use and Permit Requirements
Table 25.18-1 (Use Matrix for Downtown Districts) identifies allowed uses and
corresponding permit requirements for the downtown districts and all other provisions of this
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title. Descriptions/definitions of the land uses can be found in Chapter 25.99 (Definitions).
The special use provisions column in the table identifies the specific chapter or section
where additional regulations for that use type are located within this title.
Uses that are not listed are not permitted. However, the Commission may make a use
determination as outlined in Section 25.72.020 (Use Determinations).
TABLE 25.18-1. USE MATRIX FOR DOWNTOWN DISTRICTS
P = use permitted by right
A = use requires administrative use permit
C = use requires approval of conditional use permit
N = use not permitted
Land Use Zone Special Use
Provisions D D-O DE DE-O
Residential Uses
Accessory dwelling unit P P P P 25.34.030
Assisted Living N N N C
Condominium C 1 C 1 C C 25.16.040.B
Dwelling, duplex C 1 C 1 C P 25.16.040.B
Dwelling, multifamily C 1 C 1 C P 25.16.040.B
Dwelling, single-family C 1 C 1 C N 25.16.040.B
Group home C 1 C 1 C N 25.16.040.B
Junior accessory dwelling unit P P P P 25.34.030
Home-based business P4 P4 P4 P4 25.34.020
Agriculture-Related Uses
Garden, private C 1 C 1 N P
Greenhouse, private N N C P
Horticulture, private N N C P
Recreation, Resources Preservation, Open Space, and Public Assembly Uses
Club, private N N N C
Day care center C 1 C 1 N N
Day care, large family N N N P 25.10.040.F
Day care, small family N N N P
Institution, educational N N C C
Institution, general N N C C
Institution, religious N N C C
Mechanical or electronic games, ≤ 4 P 1 P 1 P N
Mechanical or electronic games, ≥ 5 C 1, 2 C 1,
2 C N
Recreational facility, incidental N N N C 25.10.040.H
Recreation facility, private N N N P
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Land Use Zone Special Use
Provisions D D-O DE DE-O
Recreation facility, public N N N C
Retail, Service, and Office Uses
Accessory massage establishments P P P N 25.34.160
Ancillary commercial N N A N 25.16.040.E
Animal Clinic C1,6 C1,6 C1,6 N 25.34.210
Art gallery P P P A
Art studio P 1 P 1 A A
Book and card shops P P N N
Bed and breakfast N N C C
Cannabis retail C N C N 25.34.120
Cannabis testing and research laboratory C N N N 25.34.120
Clothing and apparel shops P P P N
Convention and visitors bureau P 1 P 1 C N
Drugstore P 1 P 1 N N
Financial institution P 1 P 1 C N
Furniture stores and home furnishings P P P N
Gift and accessories boutiques (including small
antiques) P P P N
Grocery store < 35,000 SF C 1 C 1 N N
Health club, gyms or studios C 1 ,
2
C 1 ,
2 C 2 N
Hotel C C C C
Independent stand-alone massage establishments P 1 P 1 C N 25.34.160
Jewelry shops P P P N
Liquor store P 1 P 1 N N
Liquor, beverage and food items shop P 1 P 1 N N
Luggage shops P P P N
Medical, clinic P 1 P 1 P N
Medical, office P 1 P 1 P A5
Medical, hospital P 1 P 1 C C
Medical, laboratory N N P N
Mortuary C 1 C 1 N N
Office, professional P 3 P 3 P P3 25.28.040.C
Office, local government P 1 P 1 P N
Office, neighborhood government N N N C
Office, travel agency P 3 P 3 P N 25.10.040.K
Outdoor sales A 1 A 1 A N
Personal services P P P N
Restaurant C 2 C 2 C 1 N 25.16.040.H
Retail P P P N
Retail, bulky items P 1 P 1 C N
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Land Use Zone Special Use
Provisions D D-O DE DE-O
Retail, Golf carts and neighborhood electric vehicles
(NEV) C N C N 25.34.190
Spa P P P C
Sundries shops (general merchandise) P P P N
Time-share project C 1 C 1 N N
Utility, Transportation, Public Facility, and
Communication Uses
Fire station C C C C
Commercial communication tower
C C C
Commercial parking lot P P C C 25.10.040.I
Office parking lot N N N C 25.10.040.L
Public service facility N N N C
Utility facility N N N C
Utility installation C C N N
Automobile and Vehicle Uses
Automotive rental agency P P C N
Automotive service station C C N N
Temporary Uses See Section 25.34.080
1 Uses prohibited along El Paseo facing ground floor frontages.
2 The establishment may be permitted with an administrative use permit but may be
elevated to a conditional use permit at the discretion of the ZA based on parking, traffic, or
other impacts.
3 Office professional uses along El Paseo facing ground floor frontages within the El
Paseo Overlay District may be allowed subject to a Conditional Use Permit per
Section 25.28.040 El Paseo Overlay District.
4 Home Occupation Uses are permitted in residential dwelling units in approved
residential and mixed-use developments.
5. Medical Offices existing and operating with an appropriate City business license prior to
2023 are permitted by right to continue operating without requiring an Administrative Use
Permit.
6. Use only permitted on properties with frontage along Highway 111.
SECTION 3. Amendment to Palm Desert Municipal Code. Palm Desert Municipal Code
Section 25.28.070 is hereby amended as follows:
25.28.070 Freeway Commercial Overlay Zone
A. Purpose and applicability. The purpose of the Freeway Commercial Overlay Zone
(FCOZ) district is to provide optional standards and incentives for the development of a
variety of commercial uses. Whenever the FCOZ has been added to a base zone, the
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owner/applicant may choose whether to use the optional FCOZ standards or the standards
of the base zone. In order to obtain approval of uses only permitted in the FCOZ, the project
must utilize FCOZ standards.
B. Conditional uses. Uses permitted by approved conditional use permit shall be as
follows:
1. Restaurants, general, including drive-through restaurants.
2. Automobile service stations without regard to the required separation distance
provisions per Section 25.34.090 (Automotive Service Stations).
3. Convenience stores.
4. Car washes.
5. Combinations of 2 or more of the above uses.
6. Hotel.
7. Commercial recreation and amusement establishments.
8. Personal storage.
9. Outdoor recreational vehicle and boat storage.
C. Development standards. Projects proposed under this chapter shall be master
planned and the master plan shall be approved by the Commission prior to any construction
activity. The master plan approval is subject to the following:
1. Development of individual projects within the approved master plan shall be
processed through the precise plan process.
2. Property to be master planned shall be at least 5 acres in size and shall have
frontage on a designated arterial street.
3. Drive-up lanes and window facilities shall be designed in a manner that they are
not visible from an arterial street.
4. Development standards shall generally be flexible to ensure efficient site
planning and to foster the creation of attractive developments.
5. Automobile service stations shall comply with the requirements of
Section 25.34.090 (Automotive Service Stations).
D. Required on-site parking. The required number of parking spaces for a combined
development shall be cumulative for all proposed uses. The Commission may reduce the
required parking where it is clearly demonstrated that a shared use will occur (i.e., a
restaurant which serves a hotel), or with a showing of good cause, the Commission may
increase the number of parking spaces required.
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E. Setbacks. Setbacks shall be as prescribed in the base zone and/or automobile
service stations pursuant to Section 25.34.090 (Automotive Service Stations).
F. Landscaping. All master planned projects approved through the FCOZ process shall
provide a minimum of at least 30 percent landscaped open space, of which at least half of
the common usable public space can include a picnic area, a dog park, or a kids land, as
well as landscaped setback areas. With a showing of good cause, the Commission may
decrease the minimum landscaped open space requirement. (Ord. 1324 § 7, 2017; Ord.
1303 § 5, 2016; Ord. 1302 § 4, 2016; Ord. 1259 § 1, 2013)
SECTION 4. Amendment to Palm Desert Municipal Code. Palm Desert Municipal Code
Chapter 25.34 is hereby amended as follows:
25.34.190 Golf cart and/or Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV) retail sales
A. Purpose and Intent. The purpose of this Section is to allow for the establishment,
expansion and improved performance of Golf cart and/or neighborhood electric
vehicle (NEV) retail uses. This section serves to establish specific use and design
standards to ensure such facilities are designed to minimize visual impacts to
surrounding properties and roadways by requiring attractive display areas and prevent
adverse impacts from vehicle storage, noise, or glare.
B. Applicability. The provisions of this Section shall apply to all new Golf Cart and/or
neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV) retail sales establishments, and to all existing
facilities at such time as the existing establishment business is expanded.
C. General Requirements - Indoor
a. The facility shall only sell golf carts and/or neighborhood electrical vehicles
(NEVs), as respectively defined by the California Vehicle Code, and
accessories customarily associated with the vehicles.
b. Potentially noisy activities shall not be located near or oriented towards
residentially zoned areas.
c. All storage and loading areas shall be screened from view from the public street
and any adjacent residential area. No storage, except vehicle showroom
display areas, shall occur that are visible from a public street.
d. Vehicle display showrooms shall be oriented toward major public streets.
e. All exterior signage shall comply with Chapter 25.56.
f. Parking shall be provided as required by retail uses in accordance with Chapter
25.46.
D. Supplemental Requirements within One Eleven Development Code.
a. Outdoor areas for the display or storage of vehicles for sale or rent shall only
be permitted if approved by the Planning Commission by Conditional Use
Permit. The Planning Commission shall find that the outdoor area for display
or storage of vehicles is in a suitable location that enhances the business and
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project site and does not impact surrounding residents, businesses, or general
public.
b. The use shall operate entirely within the building space.
c. Uses shall provide an indoor showroom space for the display of vehicles for
sale or lease which shall be oriented as a storefront towards the primary street
frontage of the site where the use is established.
d. Street-facing facades shall have transparent glazing that provides views into
the display and sales areas. Transparent windows or doors shall be provided
for at least 75 percent of the building wall area located between 2.5 feet and
eight feet above the level of the sidewalk. No wall may run in a continuous
horizontal plane for more than 25 feet without an opening.
e. Window display areas shall be well-lit and kept clean and free of clutter.
f. Security gates shall not be placed in street-facing display windows or doors or
be visible from public view.
g. Signage within windows shall not obstruct views of the vehicle display area.
h. On-site service of vehicles may only occur as an accessory use if it is wholly
contained within the building.
i. Applications for Indoor Golf cart and/or neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV)
retail sales shall include the following:
i. Exterior elevations or renderings showing the storefront display area.
ii. Signage plans
iii. Lighting plans for showroom display lighting.
iv. Floor plans
E. Supplemental Requirements for Outdoor Storage and Display
a. Outdoor Storage and Display Areas shall only be allowed within the Service
Industrial (SI) zoning district.
b. Areas designated for employee or customer parking shall not be used for
vehicle storage or display.
c. Vehicles for sale or rent shall not be stored or displayed within the public right-
of-way at any time.
d. Outdoor vehicle display areas shall occur only on permanent at-grade display
areas or low-rise platforms (four feet maximum) that are architecturally
compatible with the existing or proposed building.
e. All storage and display areas shall be screened from public view from adjoining
properties and from public rights-of way by walls and landscaping.
f. All outdoor lighting shall be consistent with Chapter 24.16 – Outdoor Lighting.
g. Applications for Outdoor Golf cart or neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV) retail
sales shall include the following:
i. Site plans showing outdoor display and storage areas.
ii. Exterior elevations or renderings showing the storefront display area
and exterior display areas.
iii. Signage plans
iv. Lighting plans for showroom display lighting
25.34.200 Personal Storage Facilities
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A. Purpose and Intent. The purpose of this Section is to establish site planning,
development and operating standards for self -storage, personal storages, and
recreational vehicle storage facilities within the City of Palm Desert. It is the intent of
the City of Palm Desert, in establishing these standards to mitigate potential adverse
visual impacts of this use on adjacent and surrounding property by requiring
additional setbacks, screening, and locational standards.
B. Applicability. The regulations contained within this chapter shall apply to personal
storage facilities, as defined in Chapter 25.99 of this Title, and shall be in addition to
any other development standards and regulations contained elsewhere in the
Municipal Code and/oror conditions imposed by the Planning Commission in a
Conditional Use Permit. This use may only be located in those zoning districts as
described herein.
C. Location
a. Storage facilities may only be permitted with the approval of a Conditional
Use Permit in the Service Industrial (SI) zoning district, or parcels with a
Freeway Commercial Overlay (FCOZ) designation.
b. A new facility shall not be located within 1,000 feet of an existing storage,
personal storage facility, or major transit stop as defined in California
Resources Code Section 21064.3.
c. Personal storage facilities shall not be permitted to develop within all, or any
part, of any existing industrial warehouse or structure.
D. Development Standards
a. Except as provided in this section, all property stored on the site of a personal
storage facility shall be entirely within enclosed buildings.
b. Storage bay doors shall not face any abutting property located in a residential
district, nor shall they be visible from any public road or sidewalk.
c. Parking and storage areas shall be screened from any adjacent public streets
and residential uses by a combination of building architecture, landscaping,
and site walls.
d. The exterior facades of all structures shall receive uniform architectural
treatment, including masonry, stucco, and painting of surfaces. The colors
selected shall be compatible with the character of the neighborhood and
adjacent bulidings.
e. The architecture of the facility, including, but not limited to, fences, walls,
gates, buildings and landscaping, shall, to the maximum extent possible, be
compatible with the community and shall be subject to review by the
Architectural Review Commission.
E. Parking and Loading Areas.
a. Parking shall be provided as required in Section 25.46.050 Parking
Requirements. Said parking spaces shall also be arranged on the subject
property so as not to obstruct any driveways nor adversely affect vehicular
ingress and egress to the facility. For facilities larger with a gross floor area
greater than 10,000 square feet, a Parking Impact Analysis shall be provided
in the Precise Plan application.
b. Any office space within the personal storage facility shall require 4 spaces per
every 1,000 ft of office space, consistent with Section 25.46.040 of the
Municipal Code.
c. Required parking areas shall not be located within any required landscape
setback area.
d. Spaces in any approved outdoor storage area shall not be included as
required parking.
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e. Loading areas shall be no less than twelve feet wide.
f. Ground level, roll-up door storage areas shall have an exclusive use loading
area in front of the unit. Such exclusive use loading areas shall not be
counted as required parking. This loading area shall not encroach into the
minimum required drive-aisle.
g. In addition to the exclusive use loading areas, common loading areas shall be
provided in an amount sufficient to serve the users of the interior storage
units and shall be designed to ensure that drive aisles will not be obstructed.
F. Circulation
a. Internal drive aisles shall provide sufficient width and radius for maneuvering
vehicles to accommodate vehicular circulation and separate loading areas.
b. Sufficient turning movements shall be demonstrated with the Precise Plan
review.
G. Landscaping
a. A minimum of 20 percent of the total site area shall be landscaped with plant
materials designed to provide beautification and screening.
b. A landscaped setback area no less than 20’-0” in depth shall be provided
along any public street frontage.
c. A landscaped setback area no less than 10’-0” in depth shall be provided
along any interior property line.
d. All areas between site walls and property lines shall be fully landscaped with
live landscaping and continuously maintained.
e. In addition to any landscaping required under Chapter 25.52, a minimum of
one 24-inch box canopy tree shall be planted per thirty feet of street frontage
and shall be continuously maintained.
H. Fences and Walls.
a. All screen walls shall be constructed of masonry, concrete or other similar
materials. No chain link fencing shall be permitted.
b. The design and materials used in the construction of fences and walls shall
be compatible with the architecture of the buildings of the self -service storage
facility and with buildings in the area surrounding the facility;
I. Outdoor Lighting
a. Outdoor lighting shall be at the minimum amount required to discourage
vandalism and theft.
b. Outdoor lighting shall comply with requirements of Chapter 24.16 Outdoor
lighting.
J. Outdoor Storage of Recreational Vehicles and Boats. Open storage of
recreational vehicles and dry storage of boats may be permitted as an accessory
use with a personal storage facility primary use; provided, that the following
standards are met:
a. The storage shall occur only within a designated area approved under a
Precise Plan. The designated area shall be clearly delineated on the site plan
and site.
b. The recreational vehicle and boat storage area shall not exceed 25 percent of
the buildable area of the site.
c. Measurement of recreational vehicles shall comply with Section 8.40.040
Measurement of recreational vehicles.
d. The storage area shall be entirely screened from view from adjacent
residential areas and public streets by a building and/or solid walls with
landscaping on the outside of said building and/or solid walls.
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e. Storage shall not occur within the area set aside for minimum building
setbacks.
f. No dry stacking of boats shall be permitted on site.
g. No vehicle maintenance, washing, or repair shall be permitted.
K. Business Activity. The use of Personal Storage facilities by customers shall be
limited to inactive storage only. No retail, repair, or other business activity shall be
conducted out of the individual rental storage units or any accessory uses on
premises. No activities other than rental of storage units and pick-up and deposit of
storage shall be allowed on the premises. Examples of activities prohibited in said
facilities include, but are not limited to the following:
a. Auctions, commercial wholesale or retail sales, or miscellaneous garage
sales. An exception is made for auctions required by law to comply with lien
sale requirements. During said lien sales, customer vehicles shall not be
allowed to obstruct travel ways within the Personal Storage facility.
b. The servicing, repair, or fabrication of motor vehicles, boats, trailers, lawn
mowers, appliances, or other similar equipment.
c. The operation of power tools, spray-painting equipment, table saws, lathes,
compressors, welding equipment, kilns, or other similar equipment.
d. The establishment of a transfer and storage business.
L. Hazardous Materials. No caustic, hazardous, toxic or flammable or explosive
matter, material, liquid, or object, nor any matter, material, liquid or object that
creates obnoxious or offensive dust, odor or fumes shall be stored in a Personal
Storage unit.
M. Utilities. Water, gas, or telephone service to any rental space is prohibited.
N. Habitation. Human habitation of any rental space is prohibited.
O. Notice to Tenants. As part of the rental process, the facility manager shall inform all
tenants of conditions restricting storage of hazardous materials and limitation on the
use of the storage units. These restrictions shall be included in rental contracts and
posted in a conspicuous location within the front of each rental unit. The notice shall
be reviewed as part of the Precise Plan application process.
25.34.210 Animal Clinics
A. Purpose and intent. The purpose of this section is to allow the establishment,
expansion and improved performance of animal clinics, as defined in Chapter 25.99
Definitions, within allowed commercial areas and establish minimum standards to
ensure uses are compatible with existing businesses and uses in the area.
B. Specific Use Standards
a. The use of the building space shall be restricted to medical treatment and
incidental care such as bathing, the trimming of common household pets on
an outpatient basis only, except that temporary boarding in connection with
medical treatment shall be permitted.
b. The entire use shall be conducted within a totally enclosed and air -
conditioned building.
c. Outdoor run areas shall be prohibited.
d. The building space shall be adequately soundproofed to assure that no noise
will carry beyond the confines of the building or space that the use would
occupy. Evidence that the facility is designed to meet California Building
Code requirements for interior decibel levels shall be submitted with the
application for a discretionary permit.
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e. All applications for veterinary uses shall provide a detailed plan for pet waste
and medical waste disposal that will prevent odor issues arising.
f. Animal clinics within Downtown Districts shall only be permitted on properties
with frontage along Highway 111.
C. SECTION 5. Amendment to Palm Desert Municipal Code. Palm Desert Municipal
Code Section 25.99.020 is hereby amended as follows:
25.99.020 Land Use Definitions
For the purposes of this title, certain words, phrases, and terms used in this title shall have
the meanings assigned to them by this chapter.
Abandoned sign. A sign that is advertising a use that has ceased; is located upon a
structure that has been abandoned by its owner; does not identify or advertise a current
bona fide business, lessor, service, owner, or product available upon the site; or that
identifies or advertises an event or activity that has occurred.
Abut. Two adjoining parcels of property with a common property line, including 2 or more
lots adjoining only at a corner, except where such common property line is located in a
public street right-of-way.
Access or accessway. The place, means, or way by which pedestrians and vehicles shall
have safe, adequate, and usable ingress and egress to a property or use as required by this
title.
Accessory building or structure. Accessory building or structure means a subordinate
building or structure located on a building site, the use of which is customarily related to that
of a main building or to the use of the land.
Accessory dwelling unit. An attached or a detached residential dwelling unit that provides
complete independent living facilities for 1 or more persons and is located on a lot with a
proposed or existing primary residence. An accessory dwelling unit also includes the
following:
1. An efficiency unit, as defined by Section 17958.1 of the California Health and
Safety Code; and
2. A manufactured home, as defined by Section 18007 of the California Health and
Safety Code.
Accessory massage establishment. A certified massage establishment located within a
hotel, beauty salon, day spa, athletic club, chiropractors office, doctors office, physical
therapy office, or yoga or Pilates studio where revenue from massage services is less than
50 percent of the total revenue of the hotel, beauty salon, day spa, athletic club, doctor or
chiropractor’s office, or yoga or Pilates studio.
Addition. An extension or increase in floor area or height of a building or structure.
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Adult entertainment. Any sexually oriented business, including an adult bookstore or video
store, cabaret, adult motion picture theater, sexual device shop, or semi -nude model studio.
Advertising device. Any balloon, flag, pennant, propeller; oscillating, rotating, pulsating
light; or other contrivance except a sign used to attract attention for the purpose of
promoting (either directly or indirectly), the sale of products of any person.
Advertising display. Any device, contrivance, statue, or structure other than a sign used
as a display, regardless of size and shape, for the purposes of attracting attention or making
anything known, the origin or place of sale of which is on the property with the advertising
display.
Air contaminant. Particulate matter, dust, fumes, gas, mist, smoke, vapor, or any
combination thereof having or tending to have a deleterious effect on human beings,
vegetation, animals or property.
Alley. An access roadway or drive that provides service access to the rear or sides of a
parcel.
Alteration. Any work on a structure that does not result in any addition to the structure.
Ambient noise level. General noise level one finds in a certain area at a given time.
Amendment. A change in the wording, context, or substance of this title, or an addition or
deletion or a change in the zone boundaries or classifications upon the zoning map, which
imposes any regulation not theretofore imposed, or removes or modifies any such
regulation theretofore imposed.
Amusement arcade. Any business having 5 or more mechanical or electronic games. See
also mechanical or electronic game.
Amusement facility, indoors. An establishment providing indoor amusement and
entertainment services for a fee or admission charge, including dance halls and ballrooms,
and electronic game arcades, as primary uses. Five or more mechanical or electronic
games in any establishment are considered an amusement arcade as described above.
Amusement facility, outdoors. An establishment providing outdoor amusement and
entertainment services for a fee or admission charge.
Ancillary commercial. Commercial operations or sales incidental or subservient to the
primary use. For instance, a coffee kiosk within an office building would be considered
ancillary to the use.
Animal clinic. A place where animals no larger than the largest breed of dogs are given
medical or surgical treatment; a facility primarily for treatment of outpatients and where for
only a short time, critical patients are kept longer than 24 hours. Boarding of animals can be
incidental to such clinic use. The term “veterinary clinics or animal hospital” should be used
interchangeably with “animal clinic.”
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Apartment. A habitable room or suite of two or more habitable rooms with a single kitchen,
in a multiple dwelling, occupied or suitable for occupancy as a residence for 1 family and
shall be considered a dwelling unit.
Apiary. A place where bees and their hives are kept for their honey.
Architectural projections. Projections from a building which are necessary for the shading
of a building or features such as sills, cornices, and chimneys. Such projections may extend
into required yards only as allowed by the provisions of this title.
Art gallery. An establishment where works of art are exhibited and/or sold.
Art studio. A workplace for the teaching or practice of an art.
Automotive gasoline station. A retail business selling gasoline or other motor vehicle
fuels, which may also provide vehicle engine maintenance and minor repair services
incidental to fuel sales. The use may also include mini-markets and other food sales,
accessory towing and trailer rental services. These uses do not include the sale, storage or
repair of wrecked or abandoned vehicles, vehicle painting, body or fender work, or the
rental of vehicle storage or parking spaces.
Automotive rental agency. A retail establishment for the display or rental of new or used
automobiles, trucks, vans, motorcycles, mobile homes, recreation vehicles, and boats.
Automotive sales of accessory parts and supplies. A retail establishment that sells only
new automobile parts, tires, and accessories. These uses do not include any type of vehicle
repair, battery replacement, service bays, oil changes, or tire recapping establishments.
Automotive sales new and used (outdoor/indoor). A commercial establishment selling
and/or renting new and/or used automobiles, boats, vans, campers, trucks, mobile homes,
recreational and utility trailers, motorized farm equipment, motorcycles, mopeds,
snowmobile and jet skis. The sales of all automotives can take place outdoors or indoors.
These uses include parts for sale and repair shops only when part of a dealership selling
new vehicles on the same site. These uses do not include service stations, which are
separately defined.
Automotive service facility. A facility to repair and/or store vehicles. It includes the repair
of automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, mobile homes, recreational vehicles, or boats,
including the sale, installation, and servicing of related equipment and parts. These uses
include auto repair shops, body and fender shops, wheel and brake shops, oil change
shops, auto glass sales and installation, stereo and alarm sales and installation, and tire
sales and installation, but exclude vehicle dismantling or salvage and tire retreading or
recapping.
Awning sign. A sign painted on, printed on, or attached to the surface of an awning.
Back-lit awning. An internally illuminated, fixed, space-frame structure with translucent,
flexible, fabric reinforced covering designed in awning form and with graphics or copy
applied to the visible surface of the awning.
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Balcony. An unroofed or roofed platform enclosed by a railing or parapet projecting from
the wall of a building for the private use of occupant or for exterior access to the above -
grade living units. When a balcony is roofed and enclosed with operating windows, it is
considered part of the room it serves.
Figure 25.99-1: Balcony
Bar or lounge. Any use where the on-site sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages
equals or exceeds 50 percent of gross sales of food and beverages from that location.
Basement. That portion of a building between floor and ceiling which is partly or wholly
underground. A basement shall be counted as a story for purposes of height measurement
where more than one-half of its height is above the average level of the adjoining ground.
Bed and breakfast. Residential structures with one family in permanent residence with up
to five bedrooms rented for overnight lodging, where meals may be provided subject to
applicable health department regulations. A bed and breakfast inn with more than five guest
rooms is considered a hotel or motel and is included under each definition of Hotels a nd
Motels.
Bee. Any stage of the common domestic honey bee, Apis mellifera species.
Beehive. Any structure being used to house a colony of honey bees.
Beekeeper. A person who owns or has charge of one or more bees.
Botanical conservatory. A room having glass roof and walls, typically attached to a house
on only one side, used to grow plants.
Building. A structure having a roof supported by columns or walls.
Building frontage. That building elevation that fronts on a public street, alley, driveway,
parking area, pedestrian plaza, courtyard, or arcade.
Building height. Vertical distance from the average elevation of the finished grade to the
highest point on the structure directly above; provided that a roof shall be measured to the
highest point of the roof.
Building line. A line in the interior of a lot parallel to the property line and located at a
distance equal to setback distance.
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Building, main. A building or buildings within which is conducted the principal use
permitted on the lot, as provided by this title.
Building site. A legally created parcel or contiguous parcels of land in single ownership,
which provides the area and open spaces required by this title, exclusive of all vehicular and
pedestrian rights-of-way and all other easements that prohibit the surface use of the
property by the owner thereof.
Building site coverage. The percentage of the building site covered by structures, open or
enclosed, excluding courts, patios, terraces, swimming pools, and post -supported roofs
over walkways.
Building site, through. A building site having frontage on two parallel or approximately
parallel streets.
Business. Management, operation, sale, purchase, or other transaction involving the
handling or disposition of commodities or services.
Business sign. A sign displaying information pertaining to goods or services offered or
produced by the business located on the property, but not including advertising devices or
advertising displays.
Business support services. Establishments primarily within buildings, providing other
businesses with services such as maintenance, repair and service, testing, rental, etc.
Support services include, but are not limited to:
1. Equipment repair services (except vehicle repair; see Vehicle services).
2. Commercial art and design (production).
3. Computer-related services (rental, repair).
4. Copying, quick printing, and blueprinting services (other than those defined as
Printing and publishing).
5. Equipment rental businesses within buildings (rental yards are storage yards).
6. Film processing laboratories.
7. Heavy equipment repair services where repair occurs on the client site.
8. Janitorial services.
9. Mail advertising services (reproduction and shipping).
10. Mailbox services.
11. Outdoor advertising services.
12. Photocopying and photofinishing.
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Cabinet sign. A sign that has one or more plastic, acrylic or similar material faces (panels)
attached to a metal frame (cabinet). These signs may or may not be internally illuminated.
Caretaker housing. A residence that is accessory to a site with a nonresidential primary
use and that is needed for security, 24-hour care, or supervision, or monitoring of facilities,
equipment, or other conditions on the site.
Carport. A roofed structure or a portion of a building, enclosed on 2 or more sides, primarily
for the parking of automobiles belonging to the occupants of the property.
Cemetery. Land used for the burial of the dead and dedicated for cemetery purposes,
including crematories, columbariums, and mausoleums. Also see Mortuary.
Certificate of occupancy. A required document issued by the building and safety division
prior to the occupation or use of vacant land or prior to occupation or use of buildings
erected or structurally altered.
Certified massage establishment. Any massage establishment where the only persons
employed or used by that establishment to provide massage services have current and
valid state certifications.
Club, private. An association of persons for some common purpose but not including
groups organized primarily to render a service which is customarily carried on as a
business.
Cluster development. An arrangement of dwelling units, attached or detached, which
provides a number of dwelling units sufficient to meet density requirements, constructed on
smaller lots in return for the restriction or dedication of the remaining acreage as permanent
open space.
Commercial. Operated or carried on primarily for financial gain. Commercial complex
means two or more businesses shown on a common development plan, plot plan, or
precise plan of design functioning as a unit, with common off -street parking provided on the
property as an integral part of the unit.
Commercial communication tower. A tower greater than 35 feet in height (including
antenna) which supports commercial communication (transmission or receiving) equipment.
The term commercial communication tower shall not include amateur radio operators’
equipment, as licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) or home
satellite/television antennas.
Commercial mascot. Humans or animals used as advertising devices, typically by the
holding or wearing of insignia, masks, or costumes associated with or advertising the
commercial establishment. Includes sign twirlers, sign clowns, etc.
Commission or Planning Commission. The City Planning Commission.
Community collector. A medium-speed highway abutting similar land uses. The primary
function is to collect and distribute trips within a hierarchy of roads and, secondarily, to carry
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short trips between adjacent neighborhoods. A community collector has emergency parking
only and has a significant amount of parallel and perpendicular pedestrian traffic.
Community facility. A noncommercial use established primarily for the benefit and service
of the population of the community in which it is located.
Conditional use. A use which requires a special degree of control because of
characteristics peculiar to it, or because of size, technological processes of type of
equipment, or because of the exact location with reference to surroundings, streets and
existing improvements or demands upon public facilities.
Condominium. A state of realty consisting of separate interests in residential buildings
together with undivided interests common in other portions of the same property unit as a
separate interest, and common areas are entire condominium except units granted; thus,
owners of condominiums are grantees of units. Each grantee owns a separate interest in
their unit and an interest as granted in common in common areas. Condominium means
condominium projects, community apartment projects, and stock cooperatives, as defined in
Section 1351 of the California Civil Code.
Condominium conversion project. A project for which a valid map and conditional use
permit application have been submitted to the City after the adoption of the ordinance
codified in this chapter to divide one or more parcels of real property into
condominiums/condominium hotels and the creation of separate ownership of the units
therein with a separate interest in the space within all structures thereon. This shall not
apply to those conversion projects for which a valid map was approved by the City prior to
adoption of said ordinance.
Condominium hotel or “condotel.” Any condominium hotel that is intended for transient
use and is subject to Chapter 3.28, Transient Occupancy Tax. A condominium hotel is a
commercial use and can only be located within a commercial zone or multifamily residential
zone with approval of a conditional use permit. A condominium hotel is not considered a
residential property and may not be used as a permanent place of residence.
Construction sign. A temporary sign stating the names of those individuals or firms directly
connected with the construction or development project, their addresses and their telephone
numbers.
Convalescent home, nursing home, rest home, and home for the aged. Each is a
facility licensed by the State Department of Public Health, the State Department of Social
Welfare, or the county, which provides bed and ambulatory care for patients with post-
operative convalescent, chronically ill, or dietary problems, and persons unable to care for
themselves; but not including alcoholics, drug addicts, or persons with mental or contagious
diseases or afflictions.
Convention and visitors bureau. An establishment primarily engaged in marketing and
promoting communities and facilities to businesses and leisure travelers through a range of
activities, such as assisting organizations in locating meeting and convention sites;
providing travel information on area attractions, lodging accommodations, restaurants;
providing maps; and organizing group tours of local historical, recreational, and cultural
attractions.
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Conventional development. A development, other than a condominium, apartment, or
cluster development, with each dwelling unit situated on a residential lot of record and no lot
containing more than one dwelling unit.
Country club. A club organized and operated primarily for social and outdoor recreation
purposes, including incidental accessory uses and structures.
Crematory. Land used for the cremation of the dead.
Crops and horticulture, limited. Raising and harvesting of plants, tree crops, row crops, or
field crops on an agricultural or commercial basis, including packing and processing as part
of an established residential use. Includes horticulture establishments engaged in the
cultivation of flowers, fruits, vegetables, or ornamental trees and shrubs for wholesale and
incidental retail sales. This classification includes accessory agricultural buildings accessory
to such uses and roadside stands for display/sale of agricultural products grown on the
premises. Excludes uses for which other garden, nursery, or landscape merchandise are
stored and sold on the site.
Day care facilities. Facilities that provide care and supervision of minor children for periods
of less than 24 hours. These facilities include the following, all of which are required to be
licensed by the State Department of Social Services:
1. Day care center. A commercial or nonprofit child or adult day care facility not
operated as a small or large family day care home. Includes infant centers, preschools,
extended day care facilities, and facilities for adults who require supervision and care
because of advanced age, mental or physical deterioration, dementia, Alzheimer’s
disease, or similar disabling condition. These may be operated as part of a business,
school, or religious facility, or as an independent land use.
2. Day care, large family. A day care facility located in a single-family residence
where an occupant of the residence provides care and supervision for 9 to 14 children.
Children under the age of 10 years who reside in the home count as children served by
the day care facility.
3. Day care, small family. A day care facility located in a single-family residence
where an occupant of the residence provides care and supervision for eight or fewer
children. Children under the age of 10 years who reside in the home count as children
served by the day care facility.
Density, gross. The total number of dwelling units permitted on an acre of land exclusive of
all existing public streets and right-of-way, but including all streets or right-of-way to be
developed.
Density, net. The same as density except proposed streets and rights-of-way shall be
excluded.
Disabled person. Persons as defined in United States Code, Title 42, Section 423 and
shall also include handicapped persons, as defined in the California Health and Safety
Code Section 50072.
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Domestic animal. Means any domesticated animal or household pet that is not sold for
commercial purposes and that is commonly maintained in a dwelling unit.
Driveway. A vehicular passageway for the exclusive use of the occupants of a property and
their guests. A driveway shall not be considered as a street.
Drugstore. An establishment engaged in the retail sale of prescription drugs,
nonprescription medicines, cosmetics, and related supplies, including tobacco stores.
Dwelling, duplex. An attached permanent building containing two dwelling units.
Dwelling group. One or more buildings, not more than two stories in height, containing
dwelling units and arranged around two or three sides of a court which opens onto a street,
including single-family, duplex, and multiple-family dwellings.
Figure 25.99-2: Example of a Dwelling Group
Dwelling, guest. Living quarters within an accessory building which occupies not more than
one-tenth of the area of the lot on which it is situated, for use exclusively by temporary,
nonpaying guests of the resident family, such quarters having no kitchen.
Figure 25.99-3: Guest Dwelling
Dwelling, multiple-family. A permanent building containing three or more dwelling units.
Figure 25.99-4: Multifamily Dwelling
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Dwelling, single-family. A permanent building containing one dwelling unit.
Figure 25.99-5: Single-Family Dwelling
Dwelling unit. One or more rooms and a single kitchen, designed for occupancy by one
family for living and sleeping purposes.
Easement. A recorded right or interest in the land of another, which entitles the holder
thereof to some use, privilege, or benefit out of or over the land.
Electric substation. A moderate- to large-scale facility serving a subarea, entire City, or
region, including power substations, water transmission lines, wireless base stations, sewer
collectors and pump stations, switching stations, gas transmission lines, water storage
tanks and reservoirs, and similar structures.
Eligible tenant. A tenant who has had a valid lease or rental agreement in a unit that is
proposed to be converted in connection with a condominium conversion project or for a
minimum of 36 months prior to the first tenant notification prior to filing the application for a
condominium conversion project pursuant to Section 66427.1(b) of the Subdivision Map
Act. In the event that occupancy of the unit was first permitted more recently than 36
months prior to the first tenant notification, then eligible tenant means a tenant who has had
a valid lease or rental agreement since a date within 30 days of the date on which
occupancy was first permitted.
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Emergency shelter. A facility that provides immediate short-term housing and
supplemental services for the homeless. Supplemental services may include food,
counseling, and access to other programs.
Externally lighted sign. A sign whose immediate source of illumination is not enclosed by
the surface of the sign structure.
Face or wall of a building. The outer surface of any main exterior wall or foundation of a
building, including windows and store fronts.
Family. Any group of individuals living together as the functional equivalent of a family
where the residents may share living expenses, chores, eat meals together and are a close
group with social, economic and psychological commitments to each other. A family
includes, for example, the residents of residential care facilities and group homes for people
with disabilities. A family does not include larger institutional group living situations such as
dormitories, fraternities, sororities, monasteries or nunneries.
Farmworker housing. A property which consists of a tract of land and all vehicles, mobile
homes, buildings or other structures pertaining thereto, any part of which may be used or
occupied by persons employed as migrant farmworkers including sleeping facilities,
provided in whole or in part by the employer of such persons, owner, lessee, or operator
thereof, with or without stipulated agreement as to the duration of their st ay, whether or not
they are supplied with meals but who are supplied with such utility services as are
necessary for their habitation of such property.
Fence. A freestanding structure of metal, masonry, composition, or wood or any
combination thereof resting on or partially buried in the ground level, and used for
confinement, privacy, protection, screening or partition purposes.
Financial institution. An establishment such as a bank or trust company, credit agency,
holding (but not primarily operating) com pany, lending and thrift institution, or investment
company. Also includes automated teller machines (ATM).
Fire station. A building housing firefighting apparatus and firefighters.
Floor area, gross. The total horizontal area, in square feet, including the exterior walls of
all floors of a structure.
Floor area ratio. The numerical value obtained by dividing the gross floor area of a building
or buildings located upon a lot or parcel of land by the total area of such lot or parcel of
land.
Figure 25.99-6: Floor Area Ratio
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Formula business. A type of retail, service, or restaurant establishment that has 20 or
more other establishments in operation anywhere in the world. These establishments are
primarily defined as having standardized operational protocols, merchandise, décor, color
scheme, uniformed apparel, standardized signage, a trademark or service mark.
Freestanding sign. A sign supported by upright pedestals or braces placed upon or into
the ground and detached from any building.
Freeway. A high-speed divided arterial highway for through traffic with full control access
and grade separations at major intersections. A freeway has emergency parking only and
no parallel and perpendicular pedestrian movements.
Freeway signage. Any building sign that is visible and has frontage along the Interstate 10.
Garage, private. A building, or a portion of a building, enclosed and used primarily for the
parking of automobiles belonging to the occupants of the property.
Garage, public. A building other than a private garage used for the maintenance or
temporary storage of motor vehicles.
Garden, private. A predominately landscaped area adjacent to and accessible from a
residential unit for the sole use of the occupants of the residential unit.
Golf cart, neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV) retail sales (indoor). An indoor retail
showroom establishment selling and renting new or used golf carts, neighborhood electric
vehicles, and/or mopeds. These vehicles shall be limited to golf carts as defined in Section
345 of the California Vehicle Code or neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs) as defined in
Section 385.5 of the California Vehicle Code. This use may include the sale of customary
accessories and parts only when part of a dealership selling new vehicles on the same sit e.
These uses do not include service stations, which are separately defined. This use does not
include outdoor display area.
Golf cart, neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV) retail sales (outdoor). A retail
establishment selling and/or renting new and/or used golf carts, neighborhood electric
vehicles, and/or mopeds. These vehicles shall be limited to golf carts as defined in Section
345 of the California Vehicle Code, and neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs) as defined in
Section 385.5 of the California Vehicle Code. This use may include the sale of customary
accessories and parts only when part of a dealership selling new vehicles on the same site.
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These uses do not include service stations, which are separately defined. Facilities may
include outdoor retail display area.
General Plan, the Palm Desert General Plan. the General Plan of the City.
Grade, ground elevation. The average elevation of the finished ground surface
surrounding a building.
Grazing. The act of pasturing livestock on growing grass or other growing herbage, or on
dead grass or other dead herbage existing in the place where grown, as the principal
sustenance of the livestock so grazed.
Greenhouse, commercial. A facility for the indoor propagation of plants for commercial
sale.
Greenhouse, private. A private facility for the indoor propagation of plants.
Grocery store. A self-serve retail market selling foods and household merchandise.
Gross area. The horizontal area within the lot lines of a lot or parcel of land, before public
streets, easements, or other areas to be dedicated or reserved for public use are deducted
from such lot or parcel.
Group home. Any facility used to provide nonmedical residential care, day treatment, adult
day care, or foster family agency services. Typically used to assist abused or neglected
children, people who are physically disabled, or the mentally impaired.
Habitable room. Any room for sleeping or living purposes excluding such enclosed places
as closets, bath, or toilet rooms, connecting corridors, unfinished attics, foyers, storage
spaces, utility rooms, spaces used exclusively for cooking or eating, and similar spaces.
Health club. Fitness centers, gymnasiums, health, and athletic clubs including indoor
sauna, spa, or hot tub facilities; and indoor tennis, handball, racquetball, and other indoor
sports activities.
Height of a sign. The greatest vertical distance measured from the ground level directly
beneath the sign to the top of the sign.
Helicopter. A form of aircraft in the broad category of rotorcraft which depends for its
support and motion in the air principally on lift generated by one or more power -driven
rotors that rotate on a substantially vertical axis, or any steep gradient aircraft.
Heliport. An area of land or water or a structural surface which is used, or intended for use,
for the landing and take-off of helicopters whether on a regular or irregular basis, and any
appurtenant areas which are used, or intended for use, for heliport buildings and other
heliport facilities.
Helistop. An area on a roof of a building or other structure, or on the ground, used by
helicopters or steep gradient aircraft for the purpose of picking up or discharging
passengers or cargo.
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Hillside areas. Those areas of land which are so designated in Section 25.78.020 (Hillside
Development Plan).
Hillside ridge. A ridgeline that is formed by the juncture of two or more sloping planes that
project outward from a mountain range and descend towards the valley floor more
particularly identified on the exhibit labeled Hillside Planned Residential Zone Ridges, on file
in the office of the City clerk.
Home-based business. An occupation conducted as an accessory use within a dwelling
unit.
Horticulture, private. The private cultivation of ornamental plants, native plants, fruits,
vegetables, and flowers in gardens and landscapes. This use type does not include retail
sales on premises.
Hotel. Any building or portion thereof with access provided through a common entrance,
lobby, or hallway to six or more guestrooms, and which rooms are designed, intended to be
used or are used, rented, or hired out as temporary or overnight accommodations for
guests.
Identification sign. A sign limited to the identifying name, symbol, or insignia, or any
combination thereof, of a building, use, or persons occupying the premises on which the
sign is located.
Improvements. Any manmade actions which add to the value or enhance the value of land,
e.g., streets, utilities, and buildings.
Independent stand-alone massage establishment. Any certified massage establishment
where revenue from massage services exceeds 50 percent of the establishment’s total
revenue.
Industry. The manufacture, fabrication, processing, reduction, or destruction of any article,
substance, or commodity, or any other treatment thereof in such a manner as to change the
form, character, or appearance thereof, and includes storage elevators, truck storage yards,
warehouses, wholesale storage, and other similar types of enterprise.
Institution, educational. Private or public schools, colleges or universities qualified by the
state Board of Education to give general academic instruction.
Institution, general. Publicly or privately owned and operated activities, nonprofit
organizations, or philanthropic activities that cannot be considered residential, commercial,
or industrial uses.
Institution, religion. A church or other religious organization.
Intensity. The magnitude of activity affecting the development of densities, traffic flow,
commercialism, tourism, and land use.
Internally lighted sign. A sign with an immediate source of illumination that is completely
enclosed by the surface of the sign structure.
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Junior accessory dwelling unit. A residential unit that:
1. Is no greater than 500 square feet in size;
2. Is contained entirely within an existing or proposed single-family structure;
3. Includes its own separate sanitation facilities or shares sanitation facilities with
the existing or proposed single-family structure; and
4. Includes an efficiency kitchen, as defined by in Section 25.34.030(C)(4) of this
code.
Junk. Any worn-out, cast-off, or discarded article or material.
Junk and salvage yard. Any property used for the breaking up, dismantling, sorting,
storage, distribution, or sale of any scrap, waste material, or junk.
Kennel. Any lot where four or more dogs or cats over the age of four months are kept or
maintained. The term “pet boarding” should be used interchangeably with “kennel.”
Kitchen. Any room in a building or dwelling unit which is used for cooking and preparation
of food.
Landscaping. The planting of suitable plant materials or a combination of plant materials
with minimum areas of paving, gravel, or otherwise dust -free materials including an
adequate irrigation system.
Laundry. A building where clothing and fabrics are washed, other than a launderette, and is
defined in this title as an industrial use.
Library. A place in which literary, musical, artistic, or reference materials (as books,
manuscripts, recordings, or films) are kept for use but not for sale.
Light industrial and research and development. A laboratory facility that is primarily used
for non-office scientific research. This use can include the design, development, and testing
of biological, chemical, electrical, magnetic, mechanical, and/or optical components in
advance of product manufacturing. This use does not involve the fabrication, mass
manufacture, or processing of the products.
Line of sight. A visual path emanating from an average eye level adjudged to be five feet
above the ground level.
Liquor, beverage and food items shop. A retail establishment that sells a variety of
alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages and food items.
Liquor store. A retail establishment that primarily sells a variety of alcoholic beverages for
off-premises consumption.
Livestock raising, noncommercial. The raising and keeping of livestock, poultry, or
insects for any noncommercial purposes.
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Living area. The interior area of a dwelling unit which may be occupied for living purposes
by humans, including basements and attics (if permitted). Livable floor area does not
include a garage or any accessory structure.
Loading space. An off-street space or berth on the same lot with a main building, or
contiguous to a group of buildings, for the temporary parking of a group of commercial
vehicles, while loading or unloading, and which has access from a street, alley, or other
permanent means of ingress or egress.
Local street. A low-speed, low-volume highway primarily for access to residential,
business, and other abutting property. A local street has parking and a significant am ount of
parallel and perpendicular pedestrian traffic.
Loft. See Mezzanine.
Lot. Any numbered or lettered parcel shown on a recorded tract map, a record of survey
recorded pursuant to an approved division of land, or a parcel map.
Figure 25.99-7: Standard Lot Configuration
Lot, corner. A lot located at the intersection or interception of two or more streets at an
angle of not more than 135 degrees, which lot shall be considered a corner lot. If greater
than one 135 degrees, the lot shall be considered an exterior lot.
Lot coverage. The percentage of a lot covered by the total square footage of the main
building, garage, and/or any accessory buildings that are larger than 150 square feet.
Lot depth. The average horizontal distance between the front and rear lot lines measured
in the mean direction of the side lot lines.
Lot, flag. A lot so shaped and designed that the main building site area is set back from the
street on which it fronts and includes an access strip not less than 20 feet in width at any
point connecting the main building site area to the frontage street.
Lot, interior. A lot other than a corner or reverse corner lot.
Lot, key. The first lot to the rear of a reverse corner lot and not separated by an alley.
Figure 25.99-8: Lot Types
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Lot line. Any line bounding a lot. Property line means the same as lot line.
Lot line, front. On an interior lot, the front lot line is the property line abutting the street. On
a corner or reverse corner lot, the front lot line is the shorter property line abutti ng a street,
except in those cases where the subdivision or parcel map specified another line as the
front lot line. On a through lot or a lot with three or more sides abutting a street or a corner
or reverse corner lot with lot lines of equal length, the zoning administrator shall determine
which property line shall be the front lot line for the purposes of compliance with yard and
setback provisions of this title. On a private street or easement, the front lot line shall be
designed as the edge of the easement.
Lot line, interior. A lot line not abutting a street.
Lot line, rear. A lot line not abutting a street which is opposite and most distant from the
front lot line; in the case of an irregularly shaped lot, a line within the lot, having a length of
not less than 10 feet. A lot which is bounded on all sides by streets may have no rear lot
lines.
Lot line, side. Any lot line not a front lot line or rear lot line.
Lot, reverse corner. A corner lot, the side line of which is substantially a continuation of the
front lot lines of the lot to its rear, whether across an alley or not.
Lot, through. A lot having frontage on two dedicated parallel or approximately parallel
streets.
Lot width. The horizontal distance between the side lot lines, measured at right angles to
the lot depth at a point midway between the front and rear lot lines.
Low income. Income does not exceed 80 percent of the then-current area median
household income of the County of Riverside adjusted for family size by the state
Department of Housing and Community Development in accordance with adjustment
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factors adopted and amended from time to time by the US Department of Housing and
Urban Development pursuant to Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937.
Maintenance facility. A facility used for providing maintenance and repair services for
vehicles and operational equipment.
Maintenance yard. An area of land devoted to maintenance and repair services for
vehicles and operational equipment. Outdoor storage and repair activities may have noise
and visual impacts on the surrounding areas.
Manufactured home park. Any area or tract of land where one or more manufactured
home lots are sold, rented, or leased or held out for rent or lease to accommodate
manufactured homes used for human habitation, and includes mobile home
accommodation structures. The rental paid for any such manufactured home is deemed to
include rental for the lot it occupies.
Manufactured housing. A structure that meets the following criteria:
1. Transportable in one or more sections.
2. When in the traveling mode, is 8 body feet or more in width, or 40 body feet or
more in length, or, when erected on site, is 320 or more square feet.
3. Built on a permanent chassis.
4. Designed to be used as a residential dwelling.
5. Erected with or without a permanent foundation when connected to the required
utilities.
6. Includes the plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and electrical systems
contained therein.
This term shall include any structure which meets all the requirements of this definition
except the size requirements so long as the manufacturer voluntarily files a certification and
complies with the standards established under this definition. Manufactured home includes
a mobile home subject to the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Act
of 1974 (42 USC Section 5401 et seq.). See also Mobile home.
Marquee. A roofed structure or awning or canopy attached to and supported by the building
and extended over a building line and into public property.
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Figure 25.99-9: Marquee
Master plan of arterial highways. The master plan of the City designating adopted and
proposed routes for all arterial highways within the City.
Master plan of drainage. An engineering report outlining the drainage facilities needed for
the proper development of a specific increment of the City, and duly adopted by the Council.
Mechanical or electronic game. Any machine, apparatus, contrivance, appliance, or
device which may be operated or played upon the placing or depositing therein of any coin,
check, slug, ball, or any other article or device, or by paying therefor either in advance of or
after use, involving in its use either skill or chance, including but not limited to tape machine,
card machine, pinball machine, bowling game machine, shuffle board machine, marble
game machine, horseracing machine, baseball game machine, football game machine,
electronic video game, or any other similar machine or device.
Medical, clinic. An organization of doctors providing physical or mental health service and
medical or surgical care of the sick or injured but does not include inpatient or overnight
accommodations. May also include laboratories that are ancillary to the primary use.
Medical, hospital. Hospitals and similar facilities engaged primarily in providing diagnostic
services and extensive medical treatment, including surgical and other hospital services.
These establishments have an organized medical staff, inpatient beds, and equipment and
facilities to provide complete healthcare. May include on-site accessory clinics and
laboratories, accessory retail uses, and emergency heliports.
Medical, laboratory. An establishment primarily engaged in providing professional analytic
or diagnostic services to the medical profession, or to the patient on direction of a physician;
or an establishment primarily engaged in making dentures, artificial teeth, and orthodontic
appliances to order for the dental profession.
Medical marijuana dispensary, as set forth in the Compa ssionate Use Act, or
dispensary. Any facility or location where medical marijuana is publicly made available to
and/or distributed by or to one or more of the following: a primary caregiver, a qualified
patient, or a person with an identification card, in strict accordance with California Health
and Safety Code Section 11362.5 et seq.
Medical, offices. A health facility in an office environment providing health services
including without limitation preventative and rehabilitation treatment, diagnostic services,
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testing and analysis. This use includes offices providing medical, dental, surgical,
rehabilitation, podiatric, optometric, chiropractic, and psychiatric services, and medical or
dental laboratories incidental to these offices, but excluding inpatient services and overnight
accommodation.
Medical, research facility. A laboratory facility that is primarily used for medical scientific
research.
Mezzanine. An intermediate level of a building interior containing floor area without
complete enclosing interior walls or partitions placed in any story or room and not separated
from the floor or level below by a wall. The floor area of any mezzanine shall be counted as
part of the total floor area for any floor area or FAR limitation. In addition, when the total
floor area of any such mezzanine exceeds 33.3 percent of the total floor area in that room, it
shall constitute an additional story. No more than 1 continuous mezzanine may be permitted
in any 1 room.
Mobile home. A structure designed and equipped for human habitation, and for being
drawn by a motor vehicle, to be used with or without a foundation system. Mobile home
does not include a recreational vehicle, commercial coach, or factory-built housing.
Moderate income. Income does not exceed 120 percent of the then-current median
household income of the County of Riverside adjusted for family size by the State
Department of Housing and Community Development in accordance with adjustment
factors adopted and amended from time to time by the US Department of Housing and
Urban Development pursuant to Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937.
Monument sign. A freestanding sign that is detached from a building and having a support
structure that is a solid-appearing base constructed of a permanent material, such as
concrete block or brick. All other freestanding sign types not meeting the definition of a
monument sign shall be either a pole sign or a pylon sign.
Monument sign, freeway-oriented. A freestanding sign that is detached from a building
and having a support structure that is a solid-appearing base constructed of a permanent
material, such as concrete block or brick on commercially zoned properties within the
Freeway Commercial Overlay zone and greater than 10 acres in size and abutting Interstate
10.
Mortuary. Facilities providing funeral preparation and funeral services including embalming,
memorial services, and cremation.
Motel. Shall be referred to in this title as hotel, inn, motor inn, or lodge and means a
building or group of buildings containing guest rooms or dwelling units designed, intended,
or used primarily for the accommodation of transient automobile travelers; including but not
limited to buildings or building groups designated as auto cabins, motor courts, or motor
hotels.
Motor vehicle. A self-propelled device used or intended to be used for the transportation of
freight or passengers upon a street or highway, excepting a device moved by human power
or a device used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks.
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Movable-frame hive. Any hive design that allows the beekeeper to readily remove the
combs from the hive during hive inspections, in order to monitor and manage conditions
within the colony.
Nameplate. A sign not exceeding 1 foot by 3 feet signifying only the name of the occupant
and their occupation or specialty.
Net area. The total horizontal area within the property lines of a lot or parcel of land
exclusive of all rights-of-way and all easements that physically prohibit the surface use of a
portion of the property.
Nightclub. A place of business open after 10:00 p.m. which provides for the on-site
consumption of food or alcoholic beverages with entertainment which includes, but is not
limited to, music, dancing, comedy, and karaoke.
Noncommercial. An enterprise or activity which is not normally conducted for profit or gain.
Nonconforming structure. A lawfully established building or structure that does not
conform to the regulations of this title or is designed for a use that does not conform to the
regulations of this title for the district in which it is located, either on December 11, 1975, or
as the result of subsequent amendments to this title.
Nonconforming use. The lawfully established use of a building, structure, or land that does
not conform to the use regulations of this title for the district in which it is located, either on
December 11, 1975, or as the result of subsequent amendments to this title.
Nursery. An establishment providing for the cultivation and sale of ornamental trees,
shrubs, and plants, including the sale of garden and landscape materials (packaged and/or
bulk sale of unpackaged materials) and equipment.
Office, accessory. An office that is incidental and accessory to another business or sales
activity which is the primary use (part of the same tenant space or integrated development).
The qualification criteria for this definition is that the floor area of the accessory office use
shall not exceed 50 percent of the total net habitable or leasable floor area of the tenant
space for a single-use development or the combined floor area of an integrated
development for a mixed-use project.
Office, local government. An administrative, clerical, or public contact office of a
government agency, including postal facilities, together with the incidental storage and
maintenance of vehicles.
Office, professional. Offices of administrative businesses providing direct services to
consumers (e.g., insurance companies, utility companies), government agency and service
facilities (e.g., post office, civic center), professional offices (e.g., accounting, attorneys,
employment, public relations), and offices engaged in the production of intellectual property
(e.g., advertising, architectural, computer programming, photography studios). This use
does not include medical offices (see Medical, offices), financial institutions (see Financial
institution), temporary offices, or offices that are incidental and accessory to another
business or sales activity that is the primary use (see Office, accessory). Outdoor storage of
materials is prohibited.
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Office, travel agency. A business that accommodates travelers, as by securing tickets,
arranging for reservations and giving information.
Open space, developed. Open space substantially free of structures but possibly
containing improvements which are part of a development plan or are appropriate for the
residents of any residential development.
Open space, natural. Any parcel of land or water which is essentially unimproved and
devoted to an open space use.
Orchard. An area of land devoted to the cultivation of fruit or nut trees.
Organizational documents. The declaration of restrictions, articles of incorporation,
bylaws, and any contracts for the maintenance, management, or operation of all or any part
of a condominium conversion project.
Outdoor advertising structure or sign. A sign placed for the purpose of advertising
products or services that are not produced, stored, or sold on the property upon which the
sign is located.
Outdoor sales. Permanent outdoor sales and rental establishments including equipment
and other uses where the business is not conducted entirely within a struct ure.
Parcel. The same definition as lot.
Parking lot, commercial. A designated outdoor area used for parking motor vehicles that
serves commercial establishments.
Parking lot, office. A designated outdoor area used for parking motor vehicles that serves
office developments.
Parking stall. The space within a building or a private or public parking area, exclusive of
driveways, ramps, columns, office, and working areas, for the parking of one automobile,
not less than 20 feet in length and not less than 9 feet in width.
Park, public. Parks, play lots, playgrounds, and nonprofessional/noncommercial athletic
fields, including park and playground equipment, accessory structures, and facilities.
Parkway. A relatively low-speed arterial highway abutting and distributing trips to a variety
of land uses. This facility primarily serves short-range trips. A parkway has emergency
parking only and will have considerable parallel and perpendicular pedestrian movement.
Pathway. An access way to accommodate pedestrians, bicycles, and electric carts.
Pedestrian-way. A right-of -way for pedestrians, free from vehicular traffic and including
access ramps, stairs, and mechanical lifts and routes through buildings which are available
for public use.
Personal services. Establishments providing nonmedical services as a primary use,
including but not limited to barber and beauty shops, clothing rental, dry cleaning pick -up
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stores with limited equipment, home electronics and small appliance repair, laundromats
(self-service laundries), shoe repair shops, and tailors. These uses may also include
accessory retail sales of products related to the services provided, spas and hot tubs for
rent, and tanning salons.
Personal Storage. A commercial land use facility consisting of the rental of space for the
storage of personal property and/or the storage of recreational vehicles. An industrial
warehouse is not considered commercial storage. This definition shall also apply to “Self -
Storage” and “Recreational Vehicle Storage Facility”
Pest control facility. A business establishment specializing in the elimination of vermin,
insects, etc., from a building, especially by the controlled application of toxic chemicals.
Planned development. A development of parcels of land as a coordinated project which
has been developed according to an approved specific plan. Adequate control of the
development is provided in order to maintain aesthetic values and to protect the investment
of developers as well as the community as a whole. Planned developments may be
residential, commercial, or industrial in nature or a combination of any 2 or more.
Planned street line. The planned right-of-way for a major or secondary highway or traffic
collector street. A yard abutting such a highway or street shall be me asured from this
planned right-of-way line.
Planned unit development industrial. A development of industrial parcels of land as a
coordinated project which has been developed according to an approved specific plan.
Adequate control of the development is provided in order to maintain aesthetic values and
to protect the investment of developers as well as the community as a whole.
Planned unit development residential. A development of residential parcels of land as a
coordinated project which has been developed according to an approved specific plan.
Adequate control of the development is provided in order to maintain aesthetic values and
to protect the investment of developers as well as the community as a whole.
Political sign. Any sign concerning candidates for political office or involving a ballot issue.
Pool. Any structure for swimming, bathing, or wading or as a fish pond or similar use.
Price sign. A sign limited to the name or identification of items or products offered for sale
on the premises, and the price of the items or products.
Private. Belonging to or restricted for the use or enjoyment of particular persons.
Projecting sign. A sign other than a wall sign suspended from or supported by a building or
structure and projecting outward therefrom.
Public safety area. A strip of land adequate in width adjacent to and parallel with a street
right-of-way.
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Public service facility. A broad land use category of governmental and quasi-
governmental building or complexes that provide public services, such as m unicipal
buildings, fire stations, police stations, public information centers, and similar facilities.
Public way. Any street, alley, pedestrian way, pathway, channel, viaduct, subway, bridge,
easement, right-of-way, or other way in which the public has a right of use.
Real estate sign. A temporary sign advertising the sale, lease, exchange, or rent of the
property upon which it is located, and the identification of the person or firm handling the
sale, lease, or rent.
Real estate tract sales office. A temporary use of a building for the sole purpose of selling
tract residences within a particular subdivision or series of subdivisions.
Recording studio. A facility for sound recording and mixing.
Recreational vehicle. A travel trailer, pickup camper, or motorized home, with or without
motive power, designed for human habitation for recreational or emergency occupancy.
Recreation facility, commercial. Any use or development either public or private,
providing amusement, pleasure, or sport, which is operated or carried on primarily for
financial gain.
Recreation facility, incidental. Any use or development either public or private providing
amusement, pleasure, or sport which is subservient to a primary land use (e.g., pool as part
of an apartment complex). These facilities are generally permitted by right if the facilities are
customarily part of the primary use.
Recreation facility, private. Any private use or development providing amusement,
pleasure, or sport, which is not carried on primarily for financial gain.
Recreation facility, public. Any public development either public or private, providing
amusement, pleasure, or sport.
Re-queen. To replace the queen bee in a colony with a younger and more productive
queen, a common practice in beekeeping to prevent bee swarming.
Restaurant. Any use providing for the preparation, retail sale, and on-site consumption of
food and beverages. Restaurants include but are not limited to cafes, coffee shops,
sandwich shops, ice cream parlors, fast food take-out and drive-through stores, and places
of business with similar uses. The term restaurant may include the licensed sale of alcoholic
beverages for consumption on the premises, provided that the sales of food and
nonalcoholic beverages equals or exceeds 51 percent of gross sales of food and
beverages. Businesses where the sales of food and nonalcoholic beverages do not exceed
51 percent of gross sales of food and beverages shall be deemed a bar or lounge.
Retail. The selling of goods, wares, or merchandise directly to the ultimate consumer.
Retail, bulky items. The selling of large-sized merchandise.
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Riding and hiking trail. A trail or way designed for and used by equestrians, pedestrians,
and cyclists using non-motorized bicycles.
Right-of-way. An area or strip of land, either public or private, on which a right of passage
has been recorded.
Roof deck—prohibited. A roof deck is any configuration of the uppermost roof of a
building, or the main roof of a building, which allows regular access by the building’s users,
tenants, or visitors for any purpose, is prohibited.
Roof sign. A sign affixed on, above, or over the roof of any building, or any sign affixed to
the wall of a building so that it projects above the eave line of a roof. The lowest point of a
mansard style roof shall be considered the eave line.
Salvage. Any article or material which is to be or intended to be reclaimed or saved from
destruction.
San Pablo overlay frontage. The lineal width, expressed in feet, of all ground-floor
commercial storefronts within the San Pablo Overlay District, as depicted in Figure 25.28-1,
which faces the public right-of-way. This shall include ground-floor commercial storefronts
which face private parking areas that take direct vehicle access from San Pablo Avenue.
Scenic highway. Any highway designated a scenic highway by an agency of the City,
county, state, or federal government.
Senior citizen. Any person who is 62 years of age or older.
Service. An act, or any result of useful labor, which does not, in itself, produce a tangible
commodity.
Setback area. The area between the building line and the property line, or when abutting a
street, the ultimate right-of-way line.
Setback distance. The distance between the building line and the property line, or when
abutting a street, the ultimate right-of -way line.
Shopping center. An integrated development of retail and service commercial activities on
one lot of land sharing common parking facilities and serving a wide spectrum of community
shopping needs.
Sidewalk. That portion of a thoroughfare, other than a roadway, set apart by curbs,
barriers, markings, or other delineations for pedestrian travel.
Sign. Any device used for visual communications or attraction, including any identification
announcement, declaration, demonstration, display, illustration, insignia, or symbol used to
advertise or promote the interest of any person; together with all parts, materials, frame and
background.
Sign and advertising device do not include the following for purposes of this title:
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1. Official notices issued by any court or public body or officer.
2. Notices posted by any public officer in performance of a public duty or by any
person in giving any legal notice.
3. Directional, warning, or information signs or structures required by or authorized
by law or by federal, state, or county authority.
4. The flag of the state or of the United States or any official flag of any other state
or country.
Sign face. The surface or that portion of a sign that is visible from a single point as a flat
surface or a plane and considered together with the frame and the background.
Single-room occupancy (SRO). A residential property that includes multiple single room
dwelling units. Each unit is for occupancy by a single eligible individual . The unit need not,
but may, contain food preparation or sanitary facilities, or both.
Spa. Any premises, place of business, or membership club providing facilities devoted
especially to health, beauty, and relaxation that deal with the cosmetic, therapeu tic, and/or
holistic treatments, where people visit for professionally administered personal care
treatments.
Special category tenants. Those eligible tenants who also qualify as disabled, senior
citizen, low-income, or very low-income individuals as defined under California law.
Specific plan. A detailed plan covering a selected area of the City for the purposes of
implementation of the General Plan, while also providing flexibility in development
standards, innovative land uses and developments, and a variety of housing and other
development types pursuant to the requirements of the Government Code of the State.
Sports courts. As described in Section 25.40.070, a sports court is considered a walled or
fenced area for playing one of various games with a ball such as racquet ball, hand ball,
basketball, badminton and other similar outdoor activities.
Stable, boarding. The keeping and training of horses which are not owned by the occupant
or owner of the property. Boarding of horses includes the giving of private lessons (1
trainer/1 student), but does not include group lessons, group clinics, shows or similar
related activities.
Stable, private. A building or a portion of a building used to shelter and feed equines which
are used exclusively by the occupants of the property on which the stable is situated.
Story. That portion of a building included between the upper surface of any floor and the
upper surface of the floor next above, except that the topmost story shall be that portion of a
building included between the upper surface of the topmost floor and the ceiling or roof
above.
Street or highway. A public or private vehicular right-of-way other than an alley.
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Street centerline. The centerline of a street right-of-way as established by official survey.
Street opening. A curb break, or a means, place, or way provided for the purpose of
gaining vehicular access between a street and abutting property.
Structural alterations. Any change in the supporting members of a building or structure.
Structure. Anything placed, constructed or erected, which may be readily movable or
collapsible, and may require a fixed location on the ground or attached to something having
a fixed location on the ground, except business signs and other improvements of a minor
character.
Subdivision Map Act. Those provisions set forth in Government Code Section 66410 et
seq., as amended or superseded.
Swarming. The natural method of honeybee colonies to reproduce, resulting in the
departure of part of the bee population with a queen to create a new honey bee colony.
Swimming pool. An artificial body of water having a depth in excess of 18 inches,
designed, constructed, and used for swimming, dipping, or immersion purposes by men,
women, or children.
Theater, auditorium. Indoor facilities for public assembly and group entertainment, other
than sporting events (e.g., civic theaters, facilities for live theater and concerts, exhibition
and convention halls, motion picture theaters, auditoriums). Does not include outdoor
theaters, concert and similar entertainment facilities, and indoor and outdoor facilities for
sporting events.
Time-share project. One wherein a purchaser receives the right in perpetuity, for life, or for
a term of years to the recurrent, exclusive use, or occupancy of a lot, parcel, unit, room(s),
or segment of real property, annually or on some other seasonal or periodic basis, for a
period of time that has been or will be allotted from the use or occupancy periods into which
the project has been divided and includes, but is not limited to, time-share estate, interval
ownership, vacation license, vacation lease, club membership, time-share use, and
hotel/condominium. A time-share project is subject to a single conditional use permit for
time-sharing purposes and a plan of time-sharing set forth in covenants, conditions, and
restrictions encumbering such real property, and all real property which is subject to the
single conditional use permit and which shall be subsequently annexed under such plan.
Townhouse development. A cluster development consisting of attached two-story dwelling
units.
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Figure 25.99-10: Townhouse Development
Transitional and supportive housing. A shelter provided to the homeless for an extended
period, often as long as 18 months and generally integrated with other social services and
counseling programs to assist in the transition to self -sufficiency through the acquisition of a
stable income and permanent housing.
Ultimate right-of-way. The right-of-way shown as ultimate on an adopted precise plan of
highway alignment; or the street rights-of-way shown within the boundary of a recorded tract
map, a recorded parcel map, or a recorded development plan. The latest adopted or
recorded document in the cases mentioned in this section shall take precedence. If no ne of
these exist, the ultimate right-of-way shall be considered the right-of-way required by the
highway classification as shown on the master plan of arterial highways. In all other
instances, the ultimate right-of-way shall be considered to be the existing right-of-way.
Unit. The particular area of land or airspace that is designed, intended, or used for
exclusive possession or control of individual owners or occupiers.
Use. The purpose, for which land or a building is occupied, arranged, designed, or
intended, or for which either land or building is or may be occupied or maintained.
Use, accessory. A use customarily incidental and accessory to the principal use of the land
or building site, or to a building or other structure located on the same building site as the
principal use.
Use, principal. The main purpose, for which land or a building is occupied, arranged,
designed or intended, or for which either land or building is or may be occupied or
maintained.
Use, temporary. A use which is required for the proper function of the community or
temporarily required in the process of establishing a permitted use, or construction of a
public facility. Such use shall be permitted only after the issuance of a temporary use permit
as established by the provisions of this title.
Utility facility. Buildings, substations, equipment, and other operations that serve more
than 1 property and are related to the provisions of public utility services such as electricity,
natural gas, and other utilities. This category includes the following:
• Fixed-base structures and facilities serving as junction points for transferring utility
services from 1 transmission voltage to another or to local distribution and service voltages.
These uses include any of the following facilities that are not exempted from land use permit
requirements by Government Code Section 53091: electrical substations and switching
stations, natural gas regulating and distribution facilities, public water system wells,
treatment plants and storage, telephone switching facilities, wastewater treatment plants,
settling ponds, and disposal fields. These uses do not include office or customer service
centers or equipment and material storage yards.
• Pipelines for potable water, reclaimed water, natural gas, and sewage collection
and disposal, and facilities for the transmission of electrical energy for sale, including
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transmission lines for a public utility company. Also includes telephone, telegraph, cable
television, and other communications transmission facilities utilizing direct physical conduits.
Utility installation. The equipment and utility infrastructure that is required for an individual
development.
Vacancy rate. The number of vacant apartment dwelling units being offered for rent or
lease in the City of Palm Desert shown as a percentage of the total number of apartment
dwelling units offered for or under rental or lease agreement in the City. The vac ancy rate
shall be established by a public or private service that monitors apartment vacancies within
the City.
Valet parking. Whenever a parking attendant is utilized to park cars in an assigned area
that is not available to the general public.
Vehicle, commercial. A vehicle which when operated upon a highway is required to be
registered as a commercial vehicle by the state Vehicle Code, and which is used or
maintained for the transportation of persons for hire, compensation or profit or designed,
and used primarily for the transportation of property.
Vehicle sign. Any sign that is attached to or painted on a vehicle or trailer that is parked on
or adjacent to any property, the principal purpose of which is to direct people to a business,
or attract attention to a product sold or business located on the same property or nearby.
On street-legal vehicles, the following signs or insignia are not considered to be vehicle
signs, and are not regulated as vehicle signs:
1. Messages on a vehicle where the primary purpose of which is to be used in the
regular course of business to transport the personnel or products, or to provide the
services (not including general advertising) that are advertised on the vehicle.
2. Commercial messages that do not exceed a total of 3 square feet in size.
3. Commercial messages on mass transit vehicles that pass through the City.
Vehicle storage facility. A facility to store operative or inoperative vehicles, storage of
parking towaways, impound yards, and storage lots for buses and recreational vehicles, but
do not include vehicle dismantling.
Vehicular accessway. A private, nonexclusive vehicular easement affording access to
abutting properties.
Very low income. Income that does not exceed 50 percent of the then-current area median
household income of the County of Riverside adjusted for family size by the state
Department of Housing and Community Development in accordance with adjustm ent
factors adopted and amended from time to time by the US Department of Housing and
Urban Development pursuant to Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937.
Wall sign. A sign attached to or erected on the exterior wall of the building or structu re or
on a canopy marquee or similar overhang with the exposed face of the sign in a plane
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approximately parallel to the plane of the exterior wall and not extending above the eave
line. The lowest part of a mansard-style roof shall be considered the eave line.
Warehouse. A facility for the storage of farm products, furniture, household goods, or other
commercial goods of any nature.
Wholesale. A business establishment engaged in selling to retailers or jobbers, rather than
consumers.
Window sign. A sign posted, painted, placed, or affixed in or on a window exposed to
public view. An interior sign that faces a window exposed to public view that is located
within 5 feet of the window is considered a window sign for the purpose of calculating the
total area of all window signs.
Wing wall. An architectural feature in excess of 6 feet in height which is a continuation of a
building wall projecting beyond the exterior walls of a building.
Yard. Any open space on the same lot with a building or dwelling group, wh ich space is
between the setback lines and the lot lines of the parcel or the planned street line and is
unoccupied and unobstructed except for the projections permitted by this title.
Zone. A zoning district, as defined in the State Conservation and Planning Act, shown on
the zoning map to which uniform regulations apply.
Zoning map. The official zoning map of the City which is a part of this title.
Zoning Ordinance, this ordinance. The comprehensive Zoning Ordinance of the City.
(Ord. 1393 § 33, 2023; Ord. 1384 § 2, 2022; Ord. 1366 § 2, 2021; Ord. 1358 § 2, 2020; Ord.
1331 § 3, 2017; Ord. 1321, 2017; Ord. 1304 § 1, 2016; Ord. 1303 § 7, 2016; Ord. 1302 § 5,
2016; Ord. 1292 § 4, 2015; Ord. 1279 § 21, 2015; Ord. 1277 § 7, 2014; Ord. 1267A § 2,
2014; Ord. 1259 § 1, 2013)
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