Staff Report
City Council
Item No. 3.F
Meeting Date: May 27, 2026
From: John A. Corella, Director of Public Works
Title: Second Reading of an Ordinance to Amend Cathedral City Municipal Code Sections 8.24.010, 8.24.020, and 8.24.070
RECOMMENDATION:
To provide second reading, by title only, and adopt an ordinance amending Chapter 8.24 (Floodplain Management) of the Cathedral City Municipal Code, including Sections 8.24.010 (Statutory Authorization, Findings of Fact, Purpose and Methods), 8.24.020 (Definitions), and 8.24.070 (Stormwater Storage Facilities).
BACKGROUND:
Chapter 8.24 of the Cathedral City Municipal Code (CCMC) establishes the city’s floodplain management framework, including drainage requirements and stormwater storage obligations for new development and redevelopment projects. The proposed ordinance updates the city’s floodplain management regulations to reflect current engineering standards, hydrology data, and stormwater management practices.
These updates align the CCMC with current federal, state, and regional engineering standards and incorporate modern design methodologies and infrastructure approaches used in contemporary development. Recent storm events, including Tropical Storm Hilary in 2023, further highlighted the importance of resilient and up-to-date stormwater design standards that support effective system performance and consistency in application.
The amendments to the CCMC and the ordinance were developed and reviewed by a collaborative team consisting of city engineering staff, city on-call consultants who regularly provide development plan check services, including NAI Consulting, Inc., Keith Christiansen and Company, and Fomotor Engineering, Inc., and the City Attorney’s Office.
The proposed ordinance was introduced and received first reading during a Public Hearing held on May 13, 2026, at which no public comments were received, and no corrections or modifications were requested by the City Council or City Attorney.
DISCUSSION:
The proposed amendments refine rainfall and design criteria, clarify drainage responsibilities, modernize technical definitions, and update standards for stormwater detention and retention facilities. Collectively, these changes enhance consistency, support public safety, and improve clarity in development review and plan check processes.
The ordinance amends the following sections of Chapter 8.24:
Section 8.24.010- Statutory Authorization, Findings of Fact, Purpose and Methods Section 8.24.020- Definitions
Section 8.24.070- Stormwater Storage Facilities
The redline of the amended CCMC is included as Attachment 1. The revisions update stormwater design standards to reflect current engineering practice and NOAA Atlas 14 rainfall data and incorporate clarified drainage principles and expanded technical definitions for consistent application during plan review.
The ordinance also establishes updated standards for detention and retention facilities, including storage calculations, freeboard, controlled bleed-off, maintenance access, overflow routing, and safety provisions, while distinguishing between local and regional stormwater facilities and reinforcing developer responsibilities for system design and long-term maintenance.
Staff recommend that the City Council provide second reading, by title only, and adopt an ordinance amending Chapter 8.24 (Floodplain Management) of the Cathedral City Municipal Code, including Sections 8.24.010 (Statutory Authorization, Findings of Fact, Purpose and Methods), 8.24.020 (Definitions), and 8.24.070 (Stormwater Storage Facilities).
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with the adoption of the proposed ordinance, aside from staff time and the use of the Engineering Department’s on-call consultants who assisted in developing these changes. Fees for their services are already included in the Engineering Professional and Technical Services budget under previously approved Task Orders for plan checking services.
FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN:
Goal C- Fiscal Stability and Sustainability
Objective: Cathedral City has economically prospered by facilitating the investment of private dollars in high quality development which benefits the community. We remain fiscally solvent by instituting prudent fiscal policies and transparent financial practices.
Action Item C-6: Implement a private development entitlement and plan review system which is predictable, streamlines internal intake and review processes, and creates applicant experiences which are facilitative vs regulatory.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Redline of Ordinance Exhibits
2. Ordinance No____ Amendment CCMC Chapter 8.24