The motto of the City of Palm Springs is “The People are the City”, and we are committed to involving all residents and citizens in the decisions that build the community. The people of Palm Springs have a wide variety of interests, but all seem to share two key values: A love for this city as a special place to live and work, and an enthusiasm for bringing ideas and opinions “to the table”. We provide a number of forums for community dialogue and the information below addresses some of the most common concerns people have about their neighborhoods. We invite your questions, clarifications and suggestions.  Topics covered:

• Neighborhood Organizations and Associations
• Project Status Information
• Code Enforcement
• Historic Preservation
• Vacation Rentals and Event Houses
• Palms Springs General Plan
• Palm Springs Zoning Code

Neighborhood Organizations and Associations – The City acknowledges the community’s long tradition of neighborhood organizations, and today there is an official way to create better, stronger residential neighborhoods at the grass-roots level. In 2005, the City created the Office of Neighborhood Involvement, and today there are 45 neighborhood organizations recognized by the City – some stretching back twenty years.

Our commercial neighborhoods are similarly active, with merchant associations looking out for the needs and desires of local businesses. The City works with these groups to identify new programs that will assure that Palm Springs remains one of Southern California’s favorite shopping and tourist destinations. You can reach the City’s business support staff through the Community and Economic Development or contact the merchants’ associations at Main Street and the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce.

Project Status Information – In order to provide the community with the latest information on future development, we provide an updated report on the status of applications for new development in the City. With this information, you can learn what’s happening in your neighborhood or anywhere in the City. Search by address, project name, applicant or other information:

Project Status Report

Code Enforcement – Maintaining the quality of our neighborhoods is a high priority in the City. If you believe a neighbor has neglected their property such that it is a nuisance to the public, the City’s Property Maintenance Ordinance provides a means for bringing properties into a reasonable and safe condition. 

Regulations for Property Maintenance   

The City has an active, on-going code enforcement department which is dedicated to the fair enforcement of the City’s rules. You can find additional information – including an anonymous investigation request form – at the website, Code Enforcement.

Historic Preservation – The City of Palm Springs values its past, which includes important examples of architecture from the last one hundred years.  When a building is classified for protection, any exterior change is reviewed by the Historic Site Preservation Board (HSPB). Check with the Planning Department for information about the status of your building, or you can find additional information about historic preservation at the website, Historic Resources.

Regulations for Historic Resources

Vacation Rentals and Event Houses – As a vacation and tourist destination, Palm Springs has a tradition of welcoming visitors seeking a special experience. Accommodations vary widely, from first-class hotels, to intimate boutique pensiones, to rental single family homes. Rental homes require registration to assure that guests respect the neighbors:

Regulations for Vacation Rentals

Homes may also be used for special events, including weddings, historic tours and the like. Registration and public notice of special events is also required so that the peace and comfort of adjacent neighborhoods are preserved: 

    Regulations for Event Houses

Palm Spring General Plan – The City maintains a long-term vision and a set of goals and policies to help bring that future to reality in the Palm Springs General Plan. Recently updated in 2007, the plan provides a comprehensive and coordinated path to our shared future by addressing issues such as Land Use, Housing, Circulation, Recreation, Open Space, Conservation, Safety, Air Quality, Noise and Community Design:

Palm Springs General Plan

Palm Springs Zoning Code – Much of the work of city planning occurs through the Zoning Code. This collection of regulations sets the rules for how properties in the City are used and developed. Since it is a complex document, we invite you to contact the planners at City Hall for any questions or concerns you might have regarding your property or your neighbor’s property. If you wish to conduct your own research, the Zoning Code has a useful ‘search’ tool for locating rules relating to your particular concern: 

Palm Springs Zoning Code

Any questions? Please feel free to visit us at the office, call 760-323-8245 or email any of our staff members for further assistance.

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