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Palm Desert City Zoning Code

CHAPTER 25

22 SPECIAL DISTRICTS

§ 25.22.010 Purpose.

The purpose of this chapter is to establish zoning districts in the City specifically reserved for public, institutional, and open space use and to provide a list of permitted uses and general development standards. These districts are consistent with and implement the City's General Plan as indicated in Table 25.04-1 (Zoning Districts).
(Ord. 1259 § 1, 2013; Ord. 1324 § 6, 2017)

§ 25.22.020 Characteristics of Special Districts.

The following descriptions of each residential district identify the characteristic uses, intensity of uses, and level of development intended for that district.
A. 
Public/Institutional (P). The purpose and intent of the P district is to provide for the orderly establishment of public facilities, expansion of their operations, or change in the use of lands owned, leased, or otherwise controlled by governmental agencies and for the orderly establishment of quasi-public institutional uses that are compatible with, and support, surrounding land uses.
B. 
Open Space (OS). The open space district is intended to provide for areas reserved for parks, public or private recreation, protection of natural and developed open spaces, governmental public uses, or areas where a hazard to the public may exist.
(Ord. 1259 § 1, 2013; Ord. 1324 § 6, 2017)

§ 25.22.030 Allowed Land Uses and Permit Requirements.

Table 25.22-1 (Use Matrix for Special Districts) identifies allowed uses and corresponding permit requirements for the special districts and all other provisions of this title. Use regulations in the table are shown with representative symbols 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 25.22-1: Use Matrix for Special Districts
P=Permitted; A=Administrative Use Permit; C=Conditional Use Permit; N=Not Permitted
Special Zoning District
Special Use Provisions
P
OS
Residential Uses
Condominium1
C
N
 
Dwelling, duplex1
C
N
 
Dwelling, manufactured1
C
N
 
Dwelling, mobile home1
C
N
 
Dwelling, multifamily1
C
N
 
Dwelling, second1
P
N
25.34.030
Dwelling, single-family1
C
N
 
Farmworker housing1
C
N
 
Group home1
C
N
 
Planned unit development, residential1
C
N
 
Recreation, Resource Preservation, Open Space, and Public Assembly Uses
Apiary
A
P
 
Botanical conservatory
A
P
 
Cemetery
C
C
 
Community facility
C
P
 
Crops and horticulture, limited
C
P
 
Historic landmark
P
P
 
Institution, educational
C
C
 
Institution, general
C
P
 
Institution, religious
C
N
 
Kennel
C
N
 
Library
A
P
 
Nursery
N
P
 
Orchard
N
P
 
Public park
P
P
 
Recreation facility, commercial
C
C
 
Recreation facility, private
C
N
 
Recreation facility, public
C
P
 
Stable, boarding
N
C
 
Utility, Transportation, Public Facility, and Communication Uses
Commercial communication tower
C
C
25.34.130
Electric substation
C
N
 
Fire station
C
P
 
Maintenance facility (public only)
C
C
 
Maintenance yard (public only)
C
C
 
Public service facility
C
P
 
Utility facility
C
C
 
Retail, Service, and Office Uses
 
 
 
Medical, hospital
C
N
 
Office, local government
A
P
 
Outdoor sales
C
N
 
Recording studio
C
N
 
Restaurant2
N
A
 
Notes:
1
Government-supported, -funded and/or -operated only.
2
Recreation-oriented restaurants, eating and drinking places.
(Ord. 1259 § 1, 2013; Ord. 1324 § 6, 2017)

§ 25.22.040 Development Standards.

The development standards in Table 25.22-2 (Special District Development Standards) are applicable to the special districts. These standards, along with other development standards (e.g., landscaping requirements, signs, and parking standards) in this ordinance, are intended to assist project designers in understanding the City's minimum requirements.
Table 25.22-2: Special District Development Standards
Special Zoning District
P
OS
Dimensional Requirements1
Lot area (minimum)
None
None
Yard requirements
None
None
Building height, max
35′
30′
Notes:
1
Additional requirements may be required as part of conditional use permit or administrative use permit approval.
(Ord. 1259 § 1, 2013; Ord. 1324 § 6, 2017)