Agenda packet, regular meeting — Palm Desert City Council, April 11, 2024 (part 5 of 5)

ORDINANCE NO. ####
11 Residential Zoning District
(P=Permitted; A=Administrative Use Permit; L=Large Family Day Care Use Permit; C=Conditional Use Permit; N=Not Permitted)
RE R-1 R-2 R-3
R1M HPR PRSpecial Use
Provisions
Temporary Uses See Section 25.34.080
Notes:

1. Transitional and supportive housing shall be subject to only those restrictions that apply to other residential uses of the same type in the same zone.

2. Trade schools are not permitted.

Section 3 – Section 25.10.050
SECTION 3. Amendment to Palm Desert Municipal Code. Palm Desert Municipal Code Section 25.10.040 is hereby amended as follows:

25.10.040 Specific Use Standards
A. Multifamily. Multifamily dwelling units are permitted within the R-2 district up to a maximum of 10 dwelling units per acre, or as indicated on the zoning map. Multifamily dwelling units are permitted within the R-3 district at densities between 7 and 40 dwelling units per acre, or as indicated on the zoning map. All new multifamily uses, mixed-use residential, and attached condominiums must comply with the requirements of 25.42 – Objective Design Standards.

SECTION 4. Amendment to Palm Desert Municipal Code. Palm Desert Municipal Code Section 25.16.030 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.

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ORDINANCE NO. ####
12 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 /

25.42 Dwelling, duplex C C C C C C 25.16.040.B
Dwelling, multifamily C C C C C C 25.16.040.B /

25.42 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 /

25.42 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 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
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

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ORDINANCE NO. ####
13 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
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
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
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
Vehicle storage facility N N N N N P 25.16.040.I
Industrial, Manufacturing, and Processing
Uses
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
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

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ORDINANCE NO. ####
14 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
Warehouse or storage facility 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.

SECTION 5. Amendment to Palm Desert Municipal Code. Palm Desert Municipal Code Section 25.16.040(B) is hereby amended as follows:

B. Residential (mixed use). Residential uses may be established and maintained to be compatible with the permitted or the approved conditional uses in the vicinity. Residential uses may be conditionally approved in a mixed-use development subject to a conditional use permit to review for compatibility with existing use in the vicinity. All new multifamily or mixeduse developments shall be subject to Chapter 25.42.

SECTION 6. Amendment to Palm Desert Municipal Code. Palm Desert Municipal Code Section 25.60.070 is hereby amended as follows:

25.60.070 Approving Authority
A. Designated approving authority. The approving authority as designated in Table 25.60-1 (Approving Authority for Land Use Permits/Entitlements) shall approve, conditionally approve, or deny the proposed land use or development permit or entitlement in accordance with the requirements of this title. Table 25.60-1 identifies recommending (R), final (F), and appeal (A) authorities for each permit or entitlement. In acting on a permit, the approving authority shall make all required findings.

Table 25.60-1: Approving Authority for Land Use Permits/Entitlements Type of Entitlement, Permit, or Decision ZA Director ARC PC CC Residential remodels and additions F A A F
Certificates of use and occupancy F A A
Temporary use permits F A A
Home-based business permits F A A
Large family day care use permits F F RR
Adjustments F A F RR
Administrative use permits F F RR
Reasonable accommodation F A F RR
Design Reviews R F A
Objective Design Review F R A2 A

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ORDINANCE NO. ####
15 Sign design review R F A
Zoning decision F A A
Use determinations R F A
Precise plans R R1 F A
Development plans R R1 F A
Conditional use permits R R1 F A
Condominium conversion permits R F A
Variances R R1 F A
Planned community developments R R1 R F
Amendments—Zoning ordinance R R F
Amendments—Zoning map R R F
Prezoning for annexed areas R R F
Development agreements R R F
General Plan updates R R F
Director=Director of Community Development, ZA=Zoning Administrator, ARC=Architectural Review Commission, PC=Planning Commission, CC=City Council, R=Review Body, F=Final Decision (unless appealed), A=Appeal Body, and RR=Request Review only.

Footnote:

1. A final determination is made by the ARC for design-related decisions as specified in Chapter 25.68 (Decisions by the Architectural Review Commission).

2. All appeals of the Director’s Determination shall be made to the Planning Commission and shall be subject to a discretionary review by the ARC subject to Section 25.68.040 Findings of the ARC, in addition to other appeal findings required by this Title.

SECTION 7. Amendment to Palm Desert Municipal Code. Palm Desert Municipal Code Section 25.68.020 is hereby amended as follows:

25.68.020 Design Review Required
A. Purpose and applicability. Design review allows for specified projects to be reviewed by the ARC to ensure that design objectives of Palm Desert as specified in the General Plan are achieved. Design review is required, as follows:

1. Prior to permit issuance. No plan, elevation for buildings or structures, or alterations shall be approved and no permit shall be issued for any building, structure, sign, or other development of property or appurtenances or alterations thereto, except in single-family residential districts and developments subject to Objective Design Standards requirements of Chapter 25.42, without review and approval by the ARC.

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ORDINANCE NO. ####
16 2. The ARC shall review all plans submitted with applications for moving buildings within or into the City. Photographs shall be included with the application showing all elevations, the structure proposed to be moved, the proposed site, and the buildings adjacent to the proposed site. The ARC shall determine whether the building proposed to be moved will fit harmoniously into the neighborhood wherein it is to be located. It may approve, approve with conditions, or disapprove the issuance of a permit to move such building.

3. The ARC shall review all plans for new two-story residential dwellings and second story additions within the R-2 Zoning District as required by Table 25.10-3 (Residential Zoning District Development Standards) to ensure second stories are compatible with surrounding homes including massing, materials, and considers privacy of adjacent neighbors.

B. The ARC design review shall include the following:

1. The mass and bulk of the design should be reasonably compatible with the predominant neighborhood pattern. New construction should not be disproportionately larger than, or out of scale with, the neighborhood pattern in terms of building forms, roof pitches, eave heights, ridge heights, and entry feature heights.

2. Placement of windows and doors should have minimal impact to the neighboring property.

3. Line of sight analysis shall be provided.

4. To mitigate privacy impacts of new two-story homes and additions, tree and/or shrub planting is required.
a. Applicability. These requirements shall apply to new two-story homes, two-story additions, and/or new windows on existing two-story homes that increase privacy impacts on neighboring residents.

5. Planting plan. Proposals for new two-story homes, two-story additions, and/or new windows on existing two-story homes shall be accompanied by a planting plan which identifies the location, species and canopy diameter of existing and proposed trees or shrubs to meet the requirements. (Ord. 1383 § 2, 2022; Ord. 1259 § 1, 2013)
SECTION 8. Amendment to Palm Desert Municipal Code. Palm Desert Municipal Code Section 25.68.030 is hereby amended as follows:

25.68.030 Exceptions to ARC Review

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ORDINANCE NO. ####
17 A. Minor modifications. When in the opinion of the ZA, the approval of an application for a minor or insignificant permit does not defeat the purposes and objectives of this chapter, they may grant the permit without submitting the matter to the ARC for its approval, notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter.

B. Staff’s review of a single-family residence. Department staff shall review applications for the issuance of a building permit for a dwelling in the single-family and residential estate zones. The staff, on its own initiative, may forward such a request to the ARC for action. (Ord. 1393 § 28, 2023; Ord. 1259 § 1, 2013) C. Multifamily and Mixed-Use Objective Design Standards. New developments which are subject to Multifamily and Mixed-Use Objective Design Standards shall comply with the review and decision procedure requirements of Chapter 25.42.

SECTION 9. Amendment to Palm Desert Municipal Code. Palm Desert Municipal Code Section 25.72.030(E) is hereby amended as follows:

E. Review criteria. Any such precise plan of design may be rejected, approved, modified and approved, or approved subject to conditions. Any such precise plan of design after approval may be amended, in the same manner as a precise plan of design is first approved under this chapter. The following criteria apply:

1. In the approval or rejection of a precise plan of design, consideration shall be given and restrictions shall be imposed to the extent necessary, in view of the size and shape of the parcel and the present and proposed zoning and use of the subject property and the surrounding property, to permit the same degree of enjoyment of the subject property, but subject to the same degree of protection of adjoining properties, as would be accorded in normal circumstances by the standard restrictions imposed by this chapter. The standard restrictions imposed in the various zones by this chapter are intended as minimum restrictions necessary in normal circumstances to prevent substantial depreciation of property values in the vicinity and unreasonable interference with the use and enjoyment of property in the vicinity by the occupants thereof for lawful purposes, and for the protection of the public peace, health, safety, and general welfare. “Normal circumstances” are intended to refer to the case of a permitted case upon a lot of a normal size and shape surrounded by property in the same zone as the lot in question.

2. If the proposed precise plan of design would substantially depreciate property values in the vicinity or would unreasonably interfere with the use or enjoyment of property in the vicinity by the occupants thereof for lawful purposes or would endanger the public peace, health, safety, or general welfare, such plan shall be rejected or shall be so modified or conditioned before adoption as to remove said objections.

3. If required, the design review approval by the ARC (Section 25.68.020, Design Review Required), or Objective Design Review approval by the Director (Section

25.42 Multifamily and Mixed-Use Objective Design Standards) must be obtained prior to the precise plan review by the Commission.

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ORDINANCE NO. ####
18 SECTION 9. Amendment to Palm Desert Municipal Code. Palm Desert Municipal Code Section 25.99.020 is hereby amended to add the following definitions Objective Design Standards. The most recently adopted Multifamily and Mixed-Use Objective Design Standards document approved by the City Council.

Mixed-Use. A mixing of uses in a development project either with in a vertical manner with residential over commercial, retail, office, or institutional uses, or a mixing of uses in a development project or with neighboring structures.

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CITY OF PALM DESERT

PLANNING COMMISSION

STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: April 2, 2024
PREPARED BY: Nick Melloni, AICP, Principal Planner
REQUEST: 02 APRIL 2, 2024 - PLANNING COMMISSION STAFF REPORT.DOCX RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2863 to:

1. Recommend the City Council approve a Zoning Ordinance Amendment amending Title 25 of the Palm Desert Municipal Code (PDMC) by adding Chapter 25.42 – Objective Design Standards and amending other sections of Title 25 of the Palm Desert Municipal Code, to enact the Residential and Mixed-Use Residential Objective Design Standards document.

2. Find the project is exempt from further California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21065, CEQA Guidelines Sections 15060(c)(2), 15378, and/or 15061(b)(3).

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY/BACKGROUND:

At its February 6, 2024, regular meeting, the Planning Commission unanimously adopted Resolution No. 2852 recommending that the City Council adopt a notice of exemption in accordance with CEQA and approving the Zoning Ordinance Amendment (ZOA). As part of their recommendation of approval, the Planning Commission included the following substantive changes to the Residential and Mixed-Use Residential Objective Design Standards document (ODS) :

1. Amend ODS 3.9.4 to require that an active water amenity be mandatory instead of one of the options and define water amenity to be an active/usable feature with images that it is intended to be a splash pad or similar amenity, and not a passive water fountain.

2. Amend ODS 5.1.4 to increase the size of the parking lot landscape islands to ensure the healthy growth of trees.

3. Amend the diagram for ODS 3.3.1 to allow for the clustering and offsetting of trees (creating an “oasis effect”).

The amended standards were presented to the Palm Desert City Council at the March 14, 2024, regular meeting. The City Council approved the ZOA with amendments to the ODS document including the following substantive changes:

1. Adding a standard to ODS 3.4 / 3.5 that any invasive, noxious, and nuisance plant species and any plant species designated by the weed control regulations in the Federal Noxious Weed Control and Eradication Act of 2004 and identified on a regional district noxious plant species control list, and in Chapter 24.04 of the Palm Desert Municipal Code (“PDMC”) shall be prohibited.

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City of Palm Desert – Planning Commission
Residential and Mixed-Use Objective Design Standards

Page 2 of 3 ends

2. Amending ODS 4.2.1 to revise language so that no building wall shall exceed 250 feet in length.

3. Amending ODS 4.2.2 (building breaks), revise language so that a minimum 40-foot opento-the-sky building breaks shall be provided between resulting structures.

4. Amending ODS 4.3.1 so that a minimum of four out of the 11 options for building modulation must be utilized to be in compliance with the standard.

5. Removing ODS 5.5.1 (and updating the numbering of the following standards) so that there isn’t language which prohibits surface parking lots in the frontage setback or between buildings and the public street. If someone were to place a surface parking lot in this area, they would have to comply with ODS 5.1.2, which already mandates either providing a fence or wall (5.1.2b) or a 10 foot landscape buffer (5.1.2.c).

6. Other text modifications and clarifications are summarized in the attached errata sheet.

The City Council modified the recommendation of the Planning Commission in their motion to approve first reading of the ordinance amendment. The modifications are substantial and were not considered by the Planning Commission during the February 6, 2024, hearing. Therefore, the Ordinance must be referred to the Planning Commission for report and recommendation in accordance with Government Code Section 65827. Adoption of the resolution will accept the modifications and recommend approval of the Ordinance. The item will return to the City Council for first reading at a future hearing.

ANALYSIS:

The modifications are consistent with policies of the Palm Desert General Plan and input received during the drafting of the ODS document.

Public Notification
In accordance with Government Code Section 65857, the Planning Commission is not required to hold a public hearing to consider the modifications to the original recommendation.

Environmental Assessment/Environment Review:

Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Public Resources Code Section 21000, et. seq., as amended and implementing State CEQA Guidelines, Title 14, Chapter 3 of the California Code of Regulations (collectively “CEQA”), the adoption of the Ordinance implementing the objective design standards and Objective Design Standards document do not constitute a “project” within the meaning of Public Resources Code Section 21065, 14 Cal Code Regs. Section 15060(c)(2) or 15378 because it has no potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. Even if the adoption of the Ordinance implementing the objective design standards and the City of Palm Desert Objective Design Standards document did constitute a project under CEQA, the objective design standards document falls within the “common sense” exemption set forth in 14 Cal. Code Regs. Section 15061(b)(3), excluding projects where “it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on

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City of Palm Desert – Planning Commission
Residential and Mixed-Use Objective Design Standards

Page 3 of 3 ends

the environment…” Therefore, the proposed objective design standards document does not warrant further environmental review.

Legal Review:

This staff report has been reviewed by the City Attorney’s office.

Findings of Approval:

Findings can be made in support of the project under the City’s Municipal Code. Findings in support of this project are contained in Planning Commission Resolution No. 2863, attached to this staff report.

ATTACHMENTS:

1. Draft Planning Commission Resolution No. 2863

2. Adopted Planning Commission Resolution No. 2852

3. Palm Desert Multifamily and Mixed-Use Objective Design Standards

4. Errata Sheet Summarizing Changes from March 14, 2024, Council Meeting

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PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 2863

A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF PALM

DESERT, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL

MAKE A FINDING THAT THE PROJECT IS EXEMPT FROM FURTHER

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW PURSUANT TO THE CALIFORNIA

ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) AND APPROVE AN ORDINANCE

AMENDING THE PALM DESERT MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADD CHAPTER

25.42 – MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN

STANDARDS, AMENDING OTHER CHAPTERS OF THE ZONING

ORDINANCE TO IMPLEMENT CITY-WIDE MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE

RESIENTIAL OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS
CASE NO. ZOA24-0001
WHEREAS, Government Code Section 65800 et seq. provides for the amendment of any and all adopted City of Palm Desert (“City”) zoning laws, ordinances, rules and regulations; and WHEREAS, on September 29, 2017, in an effort to address the State’s ongoing housing crisis, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 35 (Wiener) into law, which amended Government Code Sections 65400 and 65582.1, and added Section 65913.4, requiring cities and counties to streamline their review and approval of eligible housing projects; and WHEREAS, on October 9, 2019, in an effort to address the State’s ongoing housing crisis, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 330 (Skinner) into law, which amended Government Code Section 65589.5 and 65941.1 of the Government Code, relating to housing limiting a jurisdiction’s ability to deny a housing project when it complies with all objective general plan and zoning standards; and
WHEREAS, on September 28, 2022, in an effort to address the State’s ongoing housing crisis, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 2011 (Wicks) into law, which amended Government Code Section 65400 and 65585, and added 65912.100-101 requiring jurisdictions to subject certain multifamily housing projects in commercial districts to a ministerial, streamlined approval process if the development satisfies specified objective planning standards; and
WHEREAS, the City of Palm Desert will amend the Palm Desert Municipal Code to provide regulations for Multifamily and Mixed-Use Objective Design standards to ensure quality, economically feasible, and sustainable design under the streamlined review and approval processes required by state law; including Senate Bill (“SB”) 35, SB 330, and Assembly Bill (“AB”) 2011; and
WHEREAS, the City has complied with the requirements of the Local Planning and Zoning Law (Government Code section 65100 et seq.), and the City’s applicable ordinances and resolutions with respect to approval of amendments to Title 25 of the Palm Desert Municipal Code (“Zoning Ordinance”); and
WHEREAS, in an effort to comply with Housing Streamlining Laws and anticipated removal of the discretionary design and site review process for certain housing projects, an amendment to the City’s Zoning Ordinance regulating and implementing Objective Design Standards is proposed and attached hereto as Exhibit “A” of this Resolution No. 2863 and

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PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 2863
2 the Palm Desert Multifamily and Mixed-Use Objective Design Standards are attached hereto as “Exhibit B”; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of Palm Desert, California, did schedule a public hearing on January 16, 2024, to consider the requestion, which was cancelled due to a lack of quorum; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of Palm Desert, California, did on February 6, 2024, hold a duly noticed public hearing to consider the project and unanimously voted to adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2852 recommending the City Council approve the project with modifications; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Palm Desert, California, did on March 14, 2024, hold a duly noticed public hearing to consider the recommendation of Planning Commission Resolution No. 2852; and
WHEREAS, at said public hearing, the City Council requested modifications of the Palm Desert Multifamily and Mixed-Use Objective Design Standards Document which included several substantial modifications to several standards contained in said Document which constitute a modification of the Planning Commission recommendation; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Government Code Section 65837 any modification of the proposed ordinance or amendment by the City Council not previously considered by the planning commission during its hearing, shall first be referred to the planning commission for report and recommendation, but the planning commission shall not be required to hold a public hearing thereon; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of Palm Desert, California, did on April 2, 2024, hold a meeting to consider the modified ordinance, which includes the City Council revisions of the Palm Desert Multifamily and Mixed-Use Objective Design Standards Document; 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, at the said meeting, upon hearing and considering all testimony and arguments, if any, of all interested persons desiring to be heard, the Planning Commission did find the following facts and reasons, which are outlined in the staff report, exist to justify approval of said request:

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PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 2863
3 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Planning Commission of the City of Palm Desert, California, as follows:

SECTION 1. Findings. The Planning Commission hereby finds that:

A. The City of Palm Desert, California (“City”), a municipal corporation duly organized under the constitution and laws of the State of California; and B. The Planning and Zoning Law authorizes cities to establish by ordinance the regulations for land use and development.

SECTION 2. Amendment. The Planning Commission of the City of Palm Desert recommends that the City Council of the City of Palm Desert, California, approve and adopt the PDMC amendment to Title 25 as shown in Exhibit “A” and Palm Desert Multifamily and MixedUse Objective Design Standards shown in Exhibit “B” which is attached hereto and incorporated herewith.

SECTION 3. CEQA. Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Public Resources Code Section 21000, et. seq., as amended and implementing State CEQA Guidelines, Title 14, Chapter 3 of the California Code of Regulations (collectively “CEQA”), the adoption of the Ordinance implementing the objective design standards and the Multifamily and Mixed-Use Objective Design Standards do not constitute a “project” within the meaning of Public Resources Code Section 21065, 14 Cal Code Regs. Section 15060(c)(2) or 15378 because it has no potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. Even if the adoption of the Ordinance implementing the objective design standards and the Multifamily and Mixed-Use Objective Design Standards document did constitute a project under CEQA, the objective design standards documents fall within the “common sense” exemption set forth in 14 Cal. Code Regs. Section 15061(b)(3), excluding projects where “it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment…” Therefore, the proposed objective design standards documents do not warrant further environmental review. This determination reflects the independent judgement and analysis of the City as the lead agency for the Amendment.

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 Planning Commission 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. Project Recommendation. The Planning Commission hereby recommends to the Palm Desert City Council approval of Case No. ZOA24-0001 as depicted in Exhibit A, attached hereto; and

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PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 2863
4 SECTION 6. Execution of Resolution. The Chairperson of the Planning Commission signs this Resolution, and the Secretary to the Commission shall attest and certify the passage and adoption thereof.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Planning Commission of the City of Palm Desert, California, as follows:

1. That the above recitations are true and correct and constitute the findings for recommendation by the Planning Commission in this case.

2. That the Planning Commission does hereby recommend approval of Case No.

ZOA24-0001 to the City Council.

ADOPTED ON April 2, 2024.

JOSEPH PRADETTO

CHAIRPERSON
ATTEST:

RICHARD D. CANNONE, AICP

SECRETARY
I, Richard D. Cannone, AICP, Secretary of the City of Palm Desert, hereby certify that Resolution No. is a full, true, and correct copy, and was duly adopted at a regular meeting of the Planning Commission of the City of Palm Desert on April 2, 2024 by the following vote:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSENT:

ABSTAIN:

RECUSED:

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the City of Palm Desert, California, on April ___, 2024.

RICHARD D. CANNONE, AICP

SECRETARY

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PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 2863
5 “EXHIBIT A”

ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT
SECTION 1. Amendment to Palm Desert Municipal Code. Palm Desert Municipal Code Chapter 25.42 is hereby added as follows.

Chapter 25.42

MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS
Sections:

25.42.010 – Purpose and intent

25.42.020 – Applicability

25.42.030 – Relationship to other standards and requirements

25.42.040 – Exceptions

25.42.050 – Review and decision

25.42.060 – Appeals

25.42.070 – Post-decision procedure

25.42.010 - Purpose and intent
This chapter is intended to establish and apply objective design standards to new multi-family residential and mixed- use development projects within the City of Palm Desert where state law limits the City’s enforcement of design standards to objective standards or where state law or the Palm Desert Municipal Code requires a ministerial approval process, except for those projects described in Section 25.42.040. The purpose of this chapter is to:

1. Create high-quality, enforceable objective design standards.

2. Streamline the review and approval process for qualifying residential and mixed-use projects.

3. Ensure greater certainty for applicants, decision makers, residents, and the public.

4. Enhance the existing character and to maintain compatibility with other established uses within the City as new development and property improvements occur.

5. Continue to ensure the highest level of design quality while allowing for appropriate flexibility to create variation as needed.

6. Create objective design standards that involve no personal or subjective judgement, verifiable by reference to an external and uniform benchmark or criterion.

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PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 2863
6 7. Facilitate the implementation of the Palm Desert General Plan.

8. Update standards on a timely basis to respond to new legislative actions.

25.42.020 - Applicability

1. The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all new multi-family residential and mixeduse development projects located within the following zoning districts:

A. Mixed Residential District (R-2).

B. Multifamily Residential District (R-3).

C. Planned Residential District (PR).

D. Office Professional (OP).

E. Planned Commercial (PC).

F. Specialty Commercial Center (PC-1).

G. District Commercial Center (PC-2).

H. Regional Commercial Center (PC-3).

I. Resort Commercial Center (PC-4)

2. The provisions of this chapter shall apply where state law or the Palm Desert Municipal Code requires a ministerial approval process.

3. The City of Palm Desert Objective Design Standards are hereby adopted and incorporated by reference herein, and as adopted by City the City Council and amended from time to time.

25.42.030 - Relationship to other standards and requirements The City of Palm Desert intends this chapter to establish reasonable, uniform and comprehensive standards and procedures for multi-family residential and mixed housing development within applicable areas, consistent with and to the extent permitted under federal and California State law. The standards and procedures contained in this chapter are intended to, and should be applied to, protect and promote public health, safety and welfare, and also balance the benefits that flow from robust, comprehensive housing development with the city’s local values, which include, without limitation, the aesthetic character of the City, its neighborhoods and community.

The provisions of this chapter are intended to supersede other chapters and design guidelines, except as noted below:

1. Standards for Applicable Zoning District. The Objective Design Standards supplement and are in addition to the development standards for the applicable zoning district in which a proposed project is located.

2. Subdivision Regulations. Title 26 establishes regulations for the subdivision of land throughout the City of Palm Desert. Where conflict exists between the Objective Design Standards and the provisions of Title 26, the Objective Design Standard shall govern.

3. Relation to Other Regulations. Where a conflict occurs between the requirements of the Objective Design Standards and other city requirements, the more restrictive provisions shall apply.

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PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 2863
7 4. The Objective Design Standards provide language, diagrams, sketches, and graphics to assist developers and the pub in understanding the standards and how they shall be applied to qualifying residential projects.

25.42.40 Exceptions
A. Projects seeking to deviate or to not comply with the objective design standards are required to obtain Design Review approval by the Architectural Review Commission pursuant to the requirements of Chapter 25.68, prior to obtaining approval by the Planning Commission.

B. Exempt Housing Projects. The provisions of this chapter are not applicable to:

1. Single-family detached homes.

2. Single-family detached homes as part of a major subdivision.

3. Duplex homes.

4. Accessory dwelling units pursuant to Section 25.34.030.

5. Two-unit projects pursuant to Section 25.34.080.

6. Renovations, additions, or expansions of existing residential buildings. i. Where an addition or expansion of existing residential multi-family and mixed use residential is greater than 50%, of the existing floor area, the site plan shall comply with the Objective Design Standards for landscaping.

7. Mixed-use projects with less than two-thirds of the building square footage dedicated to housing.

8. Housing developed within Specific Plans which have adopted objective design standards as a part of the Specific Plan. If the specific plan silent regarding a standard, the ODS shall govern.

25.42.50 Review and decision procedure

1. The Director shall be the review authority for any Objective Design Review approval for projects subject to the objective design standards. Land use approval of any entitlement required in conjunction of the Objective Design Review shall be made by the review authority identified in Chapter 25.60 – Procedures.

2. The applicant shall submit all materials required by the Director, including any materials required by checklists created for the review process.

3. The Director shall evaluate the application based on the project’s conformance with the objective development and design standards.

4. In approving an Objective Design Review subject to objective design standards, the Director may impose conditions of approval as deemed necessary to:
a. Ensure that the proposal conforms to the general plan and other applicable plans, or policies adopted by the City Council and or additional discretionary approvals.
b. Ensure that the proposal meets the requirements of the zoning district where the proposal is located, as well as any other applicable provisions of the Development Code; and
c. Comply with the objective design standards as adopted within, or by reference in Section 25.42.

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PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 2863
8 25.42.060 – Appeals
The Design Review for Residential projects utilizing objective design standards are evaluated under a ministerial review process for conformance with this section. The review authority may restrict or deny a proposed residential design if they determine that the design is not consistent with the objective design standards. The appeal will be heard by the Planning Commission and shall be subject to a review by the Architectural Review Commission consistent with the Design Review process and the requirements of Chapter 25.68.

25.42.070 Post-decision procedures
The procedures and requirements relating to appeals, project revisions, issuance of a building permit, effective dates, lapse of approval, extensions, and revocations located in Chapter

25.60 – Procedures shall apply following the decision on an application for an Objective Design Review. To the extent any state law limits the total number of public hearings that may be held on a project, including appeals, the Planning Commission shall have the discretion, to refer the appeal directly to the Council for a decision.

SECTION 2. Amendment to Palm Desert Municipal Code. Palm Desert Municipal Code Section 25.10.030 is hereby amended as follows:

25.10.030 Allowed Land Uses and Permit Requirements
Table 25.10-1 “Use Matrix for Residential Districts” below identifies land uses and corresponding permit requirements for residential 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 that use type are located within this title.

Use regulations in the table are shown with a representative symbol 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 25.10-1: Use Matrix for Residential Districts
Residential Zoning District
(P=Permitted; A=Administrative Use Permit; L=Large Family Day Care Use Permit; C=Conditional Use Permit; N=Not Permitted)
RE R-1 R-2 R-3
R1M HPR PRSpecial Use
Provisions
Residential Uses
Assisted living N C C C N N C
Accessory dwelling unit P P P P P N P 25.34.030
Condominium N N C C N N C 25.42
Dwelling, duplex N N P P N N N
Dwelling, multifamily N N P P N N C 25.10.040.A
/ 25.42

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PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 2863
9 Residential Zoning District
(P=Permitted; A=Administrative Use Permit; L=Large Family Day Care Use Permit; C=Conditional Use Permit; N=Not Permitted)
RE R-1 R-2 R-3
R1M HPR PRSpecial Use
Provisions
Dwelling, second P P P P N P P 25.34.030
Dwelling, single-family P P P N N P P
Farmworker housing N N N N N N N
Group home P P P N N P P 25.10.040.B
Guest dwelling P P P N N P P
Home-based business P P P P P P P 25.34.020
Junior accessory dwelling unit P P P P P N P 25.34.030
Manufactured home parks N N N N C N N
Planned unit development, residential N N C C N C C 25.10.040.C Transitional and supportive housing see Note 1 25.42
Agriculture-Related Uses
Apiary P P P N N P P 25.34.170
Botanical conservatory A N N N N N N
Crops and horticulture, limited A N N N N N N
Domestic animals P P P P P P P
Garden, private P P P P P P P
Greenhouse, commercial C N N N N N N
Greenhouse, private P P P A A P P
Horticulture, private P P P P P P P
Kennel C N N N N N C 25.10.040.D
Livestock raising, noncommercial C N N N N N N
Nursery C N N N N N N
Orchard A N N N N N N
Stable, boarding A N N N N N N 25.10.040.E
Stable, private A N N N N N N 25.10.040.E
Recreation, Resource Preservation, Open Space, and Public Assembly Uses Cemetery N N N N N N C
Community facility N N N N N N C
Club, private N N C C N N C
Crematory N N N N N N N
Day care, large family P P P P P P P
Day care, small family P P P P P P P
Institution, educational2 C C C C C N C
Institution, general2 N N N C N N C
Institution, religious C C C C N N C
Public park P P P P P P P
Recreational use, commercial N N N N N N C 25.10.040.G
Recreational vehicle park N N N N C N C
Recreation facility, commercial N N N N N N N
Recreation facility, incidental C C C C C N C 25.10.040.H Recreation facility, private P N N P P N P
Recreation facility, public C C C C C N C
Utility, Transportation, Public Facility, and Communication Uses Electric substation N N N N N N N
Fire station C C C C N N C
Public service facility C C C C C N N
Public utility C C C C C N N
Utility facility N N N N N N C
Retail, Service, and Office Uses
Bed and breakfast C N N C N N N
Commercial parking lot N C N C N N N 25.10.040.I
Condominium hotel, converted N N C C N N C

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PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 2863
10 Residential Zoning District
(P=Permitted; A=Administrative Use Permit; L=Large Family Day Care Use Permit; C=Conditional Use Permit; N=Not Permitted)
RE R-1 R-2 R-3
R1M HPR PRSpecial Use
Provisions
Hospital N N C C N N C
Hotel N N N C N N C 25.10.040.J
Neighborhood government office N N C C N N N 25.10.040.K Office parking lot N C C C N N N 25.10.040.L
Professional office N N C C N N N 25.10.040.M
Resort hotel N N N C N N C 25.10.040.J
Timeshares N N N N N N C
Temporary Uses See Section 25.34.080
Notes:

1. Transitional and supportive housing shall be subject to only those restrictions that apply to other residential uses of the same type in the same zone.

2. Trade schools are not permitted.

Section 3 – Section 25.10.050
SECTION 3. Amendment to Palm Desert Municipal Code. Palm Desert Municipal Code Section 25.10.040 is hereby amended as follows:

SECTION 4. Amendment to Palm Desert Municipal Code. Palm Desert Municipal Code Section 25.16.030 is hereby amended as follows:

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PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 2863
11 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 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).

25.42 Dwelling, duplex C C C C C C 25.16.040.B
Dwelling, multifamily C C C C C C 25.16.040.B /

25.42 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 /

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PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 2863
12 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
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
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
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

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PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 2863
13 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
Light industrial and research and
development

N N N N N P
Maintenance facility N N N N N P
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 or storage facility 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.

SECTION 5. Amendment to Palm Desert Municipal Code. Palm Desert Municipal Code Section 25.16.040(B) is hereby amended as follows:

SECTION 6. Amendment to Palm Desert Municipal Code. Palm Desert Municipal Code Section 25.60.070 is hereby amended as follows:

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PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 2863
14 Large family day care use permits F F RR
Adjustments F A F RR
Administrative use permits F F RR
Reasonable accommodation F A F RR
Design Reviews R F A
Objective Design Review F R A2 A
Sign design review R F A
Zoning decision F A A
Use determinations R F A
Precise plans R R1 F A
Development plans R R1 F A
Conditional use permits R R1 F A
Condominium conversion permits R F A
Variances R R1 F A
Planned community developments R R1 R F
Amendments—Zoning ordinance R R F
Amendments—Zoning map R R F
Prezoning for annexed areas R R F
Development agreements R R F
General Plan updates R R F
Director=Director of Community Development, ZA=Zoning Administrator, ARC=Architectural Review Commission, PC=Planning Commission, CC=City Council, R=Review Body, F=Final Decision (unless appealed), A=Appeal Body, and RR=Request Review only.

Footnote:

1. A final determination is made by the ARC for design-related decisions as specified in Chapter 25.68 (Decisions by the Architectural Review Commission).

SECTION 7. Amendment to Palm Desert Municipal Code. Palm Desert Municipal Code Section 25.68.020 is hereby amended as follows:

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15 1. Prior to permit issuance. No plan, elevation for buildings or structures, or alterations shall be approved and no permit shall be issued for any building, structure, sign, or other development of property or appurtenances or alterations thereto, except in single-family residential districts and developments subject to Objective Design Standards requirements of Chapter 25.42, without review and approval by the ARC.

2. The ARC shall review all plans submitted with applications for moving buildings within or into the City. Photographs shall be included with the application showing all elevations, the structure proposed to be moved, the proposed site, and the buildings adjacent to the proposed site. The ARC shall determine whether the building proposed to be moved will fit harmoniously into the neighborhood wherein it is to be located. It may approve, approve with conditions, or disapprove the issuance of a permit to move such building.

B. The ARC design review shall include the following:

2. Placement of windows and doors should have minimal impact to the neighboring property.

3. Line of sight analysis shall be provided.

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PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 2863
16 SECTION 8. Amendment to Palm Desert Municipal Code. Palm Desert Municipal Code Section 25.68.030 is hereby amended as follows:

25.68.030 Exceptions to ARC Review
A. Minor modifications. When in the opinion of the ZA, the approval of an application for a minor or insignificant permit does not defeat the purposes and objectives of this chapter, they may grant the permit without submitting the matter to the ARC for its approval, notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter.

SECTION 9. Amendment to Palm Desert Municipal Code. Palm Desert Municipal Code Section 25.72.030(E) is hereby amended as follows:

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PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 2863
17 rejected or shall be so modified or conditioned before adoption as to remove said objections.

3. If required, the design review approval by the ARC (Section 25.68.020, Design Review Required), or Objective Design Review approval by the Director (Section

25.42 Multifamily and Mixed-Use Objective Design Standards) must be obtained prior to the precise plan review by the Commission.

SECTION 9. Amendment to Palm Desert Municipal Code. Palm Desert Municipal Code Section 25.99.020 is hereby amended to add the following definitions Objective Design Standards. The most recently adopted Multifamily and Mixed-Use Objective Design Standards document approved by the City Council.

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City of Palm Desert
Multifamily and Mixed-Use Objective Design Standards (ODS) 03/29/2024
List of Revisions for the Final ODS
The following revisions to the City of Palm Desert Multifamily and Mixed-Use Objective Design Standards reflect comments from the City Council on March 14, 2024.

CHAPTER 3: LANDSCAPE AND OPEN SPACE ODS
Pg 19 Under ODS 3.3.5 a reference was added stating that any Invasive, noxious, and nuisance plant species and any plant species designated by the weed control regulations in the Federal Noxious Weed Control and Eradication Act of 2004 and identified on a regional district noxious plant species control list shall be prohibited. Nuisance plant species shall be prohibited and include, but are not limited to, the following species: Washingtonia robusta, Dalbergia sissoo and Euphorbia tirucalli.

A footnote was added to the “Desert Museum” Palo Verde option in ODS 3.3.5: “Consider irrigation practices that better emulate natural conditions or move irrigation lines incrementally over time to encourage “Desert Museum” Palo Verde roots to grow more robustly and better prevent this species from falling over.”
Pg. 23 The table under ODS 3.9.3 (active amenities) was updated per page 2 of the 3/14/2024 City Council Meeting Question and Answer Memo.

CHAPTER 4: BUILDING ARCHITECTURE ODS
Pg. 27 In ODS 4.2.1 (building wall, maximum length), language was revised so that no building wall shall exceed 250 feet in length.

An additional building break standard (4.2.3) added: “If a private and/or public vehicular street is utilized to provide the open-to-the-sky separation, the vehicular street and/or passageway shall incorporate a minimum five foot sidewalk and adjoining minimum five foot parkway.” Pg. 28 Language revised so that a minimum four out of the 11 options for building modulation (ODS 4.3.1) must be utilized to be in compliance with the standard.

CHAPTER 5: PARKING ODS
Pg. 42 Removed ODS 5.1.1 (and updated the numbering of the following standards) so that there isn’t language that prohibits surface parking lots in the frontage setback or between buildings and the public street.

Pg. 43 Updated ODS 5.1.2.c to add 42 inches in height along with depth requirements for landscape buffers.

CHAPTER 6: ODS COMPLIANCE CHECKLISTS
Pgs. 56, 84 A typo under 3.5.2 references “ODS 3.14” which does not exist - revised to say “ODS 3.5.2.” Pgs. 48-75 The Multifamily Compliance Checklist has been updated to reflect the above changes to Chapters 3-5.

Pgs. 76-103 The Mixed-Use Compliance Checklist has been updated to reflect the above changes to Chapters 3-5.

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City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024
Multifamily and Mixed-Use
Objective Design Standards

CITY OF PALM DESERT
MARCH 2024
City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

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City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
City Council
Mayor Kathleen Kelly
Mayor Pro Tem Karina Quintanilla
Council Member Gina Nestande
Council Member Jan Harnik
Council Member Evan Trubee
Planning Commission
Commissioner Nancy DeLuna
Commissioner John Greenwood
Commissioner Ron Gregory
Commissioner Lindsay Holt
Commissioner Joseph Pradetto
Architectural Review Commission
Commissioner James Blakely
Commissioner Dean Wallace Colvard
Commissioner Nicholas Latkovic
Commissioner Michael McAuliffe
Commissioner James McIntosh
Commissioner Francisco Sanchez
Commissioner John Vuksic
City Staff
Richard D. Cannone, AICP, Director of Development Services Nick Melloni, AICP, Principal Planner
Carlos Flores, Senior Planner
Consultant Team
John Kaliski Architects, Inc.

Tajima Open Design Office
Environmental Science Associates

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City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024
4 BUILDING ARCHITECTURE ODS 25

4.1 Building Height 26

4.2 Building Length 27

4.3 Building Modulation 28

4.4 Building Roofs 31

4.5 Building Materials 33

4.6 Building Openings, Multifamily 34

4.7 Building Openings, Mixed-Use 35

4.8 Building Windows 35

4.9 Building Balconies and Stairwells 36

4.10 Building Utilities 36

4.11 Building Facade Colors 37

4.12 Building Water Drainage Devices 37

4.13 Building Trash/Recycling Bins and Enclosures 38

4.14 Building Design Components 38
5 PARKING ODS 41

5.1 Surface Parking Design 42

5.2 Mechanical Parking 43

5.3 Parking Shelters 44

5.4 Parking Garages 44

5.5 Bicycle Parking 45
6 ODS COMPLIANCE CHECKLISTS 47
Multifamily Compliance Checklist 48
Mixed-Use Compliance Checklist 76
7 GLOSSARY 105
A APPENDIX 109
A-1 Project Outreach 110
A-2 Image Sources 117

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 What are Objective Design Standards (ODS)? 2

1.2 Palm Desert Setting and Character 3

1.3 Multifamily and Mixed-Use ODS Goals and Objectives 4

1.4 Multifamily and Mixed-Use Housing in Palm Desert 5

1.5 Applicability 6

1.6 How to Use the Standards 7
2 PROJECT SITE ODS 9

2.1 Project Frontage 10

2.2 Project Orientation 10

2.3 Project Fences and Walls 11

2.4 Project Entries 12

2.5 Project Sidewalks and Pathways 13

2.6 Project Curb Cuts, Vehicular 15

2.7 Project Alleys 16
3 LANDSCAPE & OPEN SPACE ODS 17

3.1 Site Landscaping 18

3.2 Landscape Islands 18

3.3 Canopy Trees 18

3.4 Specimen Trees 19

3.5 Shrubs and Perennials 20

3.6 Inorganic Groundcover 21

3.7 Boulders 21

3.8 On-Site Lighting 21

3.9 Passive and Active Amenities 22

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City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024
This page is intentionally blank.

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City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024
1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 What are Objective Design Standards (ODS)?

1.2 Palm Desert Setting and Character

1.3 Multifamily and Mixed-Use ODS Goals and Objectives

1.4 Multifamily and Mixed-Use Housing in Palm Desert

1.5 Applicability

1.6 How to Use the Standards
CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 1 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

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2 Chapter 1: Introduction
City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

1.1 What are Objective Design Standards (ODS)?
Design standards regulate development intensity,
style, mass, bulk, and orientation. “Objective
design standards” (ODS) are defined under State
of California (State) law as “standards that involve
no personal or subjective judgment by a public
official and are uniformly verifiable by reference
to an external and uniform benchmark or criterion
available and knowable by both the development
applicant or proponent and the public official
prior to submittal” (California Government Code,
Section 65913.4).

The City of Palm Desert (‘City’ or ‘Palm Desert’) has
traditionally relied on a combination of design
guidelines and discretionary design review by
the Architectural Review Commission at regularly
scheduled public meetings to regulate the design
of projects, including housing developments such
as multifamily and mixed-use projects, to ensure
development met community design expectations.

The City has developed objective design standards
to support and guide the development of housing
throughout Palm Desert. The ODS in this policy
must comply with recent State legislation
which has been adopted to reduce obstacles to
housing production and streamline the approval
of projects that include multifamily housing
- projects with buildings that contain three or
more dwelling units, apartments, and mixed-use
projects that include a residential component.

Senate Bill 35 and Senate Bill 330, gone into
effect in 2018 and 2020 respectively, have
disallowed the use of “should” statements that
require additional discretionary review, such as
the review of an architectural review body, if the
prospective project otherwise meets all of the
City’s zoning standards.

Since the adoption of this legislation, multifamily
and mixed-use developments may now only be
approved utilizing quantifiable, measurable, and
objective design standards or “shall” policies.

For instance, a design standard that states, “No
facade shall exceed 36 feet in length without at
least a two-foot planar offset that is a minimum
of six feet in length,” establishes a “yes” or “no”
evaluative criteria for both the applicant or City of
Palm Desert Staff (Staff) that respectively design
or review a prospective project.

Per State legislation, if a project with a
multifamily or mixed-use residential component
meets the criteria of the design standard, all
other objective planning criteria are met, and the
project does not otherwise trigger a discretionary
review (e.g. a tract map review and approval), Staff
must approve the project.

Given the requirements described above, and
that many projects are by-right and do not
require discretionary actions, it is key that the
design values and policies of a city be reflected
in quantifiable design standards that are utilized
by a city’s staff to ministerially approve projects.

The ODS of this policy align with Palm Desert’s
design goals and establish a measurable and
quantifiable basis for ministerial design approvals
that help designers, applicants, and City reviewers
ensure that new multifamily and mixed-use
developments conserve and enhance this
community’s setting and character.

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CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 3 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

1.2 Palm Desert Setting and Character
The City of Palm Desert is situated on a gently
downward-sloping, north-to-south geographic
plane in the Coachella Valley. Set in a low
northwestern extension of the Sonoran Desert,
the City’s climate is warm throughout the year
and hottest from May through October. Days are
typically clear and cloudless with bright sunshine.

Though there is typically little rain, there is
potential for flooding during winter and summer
storms. Strong prevailing winds typically blow in
from west to east from mid-March through midJuly, and from north to south from mid-November through mid-February.

The City enjoys views of high mountains to the
south, west, and north, with snow caps visible
at the highest elevations during the winter
months. While water-intensive lawns and nonnative plants do well in the sunny environment, given increasing water scarcity and long-term
predictions of drought, drought-tolerant and
native fauna increasingly define newer landscapes.

The City’s General Plan, adopted in 2016, defines
and establishes many guiding themes regarding
the design character of future development in this
City’s desert environment. Design-centric goals
from the General Plan that shape this overarching
planning policy document include:
• The protection and enhancement of
natural surroundings.
• Accessibility and connectivity.
• Planning and designing at a moderate
density and scale so that the pedestrian
experience is the primary focus.

More specific General Plan design-oriented goals,
such as high-quality landscaping, walkable block
lengths, neighborhood transitions and scale,
and shaded sidewalks are also addressed by the
design standards found within this policy.

Golf course in Palm Desert.

Page 739 of 855 ends

4 Chapter 1: Introduction
City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

1.3 Multifamily and Mixed-Use ODS Goals and Objectives
To achieve a best, safe, comfortable, and
energy-efficient fit between the natural desert
circumstance of Palm Desert and its newer
buildings, landscapes, and human environments,
new multifamily and mixed-use projects shall
be shaped by design standards that incorporate
understandings of this community’s unique
environmental, geographic, and climatic
place factors.

The following objectives to shape the
development of new multifamily and mixeduse design standards were based upon this environmental design goal and formulated
through a three-month public outreach process
that included input from local residents, builders,
and members of the Architectural Review
Commission, Planning Commission, and City
Council (See Appendix A-1: Public Outreach).

1. Link new multifamily and mixed-use
structures to the natural environment
through optimized building design that
conserves or opens onto mountain views
from public open spaces and rights-of-way.

2. Create human-scale connectivity between
new multifamily and mixed-use projects,
the outdoor environment, and existing
buildings and neighborhoods through
project design that supports walkability,
alternative transit uses including bicycles
and transit stops, and safe, pedestrianoriented sidewalks and pathways.

3. Design building environments with open
space and landscapes that provides shade
and protection from the desert sun and
wind.

4. Orient new multifamily and mixeduse structures to existing and new street frontages, sidewalks, and the
prevailing settings of existing districts,
neighborhoods, and buildings.

5. Utilize native and/or drought-tolerant
landscape as an integral design
component of new multifamily and mixeduse projects, particularly within passive and active recreational open spaces, along
parkways, pathways and public sidewalks,
at buffers abutting adjacent sites, and at
parking areas.

6. Plant shade trees with each new
multifamily and mixed use project to
reduce the impact of urbanized heat
islands, foster walkability, outdoor
gathering, and comfort.

7. Reflect the local desert environment
through use of architectural details that
provide shelter from direct sunlight
and prevailing winds, as well as use of
materials and colors that are seen in local
natural settings.

The multifamily and mixed-use design standards
of this policy are based upon the above goal and
objectives. Use of this policy’s design standards
by applicants as they plan and design projects
will foster, new building by new building, a
consistently applicable design quality related to
General Plan policies, a greater desert-oriented
integration of architecture with the City’s
desert setting, and increased project-by-project
identity that enhances the value of Palm Desert’s
built environment.

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CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 5 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

1.4 Multifamily and Mixed-Use Housing in Palm Desert
The Palm Desert Municipal Code defines any
project that includes three or more units as
a multifamily development. Home to a range
of multifamily housing types, from triplexes
surrounding the downtown area to mediumdensity apartments and higher-intensity planned developments to the north of the City’s core,
future multifamily residential developments will
best maintain a high-quality standard of design
through use of massing and scale, architectural
components, details, landscape, materials and
colors that grow out of an appreciation of and fit
with the Sonoran Desert surrounds.

The Multifamily Typology Transect (Figure 1)
illustrates a range of housing types that fit the
Palm Desert context, from the Downtown area
with its infill parcels to larger undeveloped
parcels. The transect begins with triplexes and
increases incrementally to include quadplexes,
attached townhomes, then courtyard, garden and
tuck-under apartments, and finally higher-intensity
residential multiplexes that are no taller than
three stories. Any multifamily typology of higher
density is not generally applicable in Palm Desert
unless achieved through allowed housing bonuses
that provide for affordable housing.

Figure 1: Multifamily Typology Transect.

Single-Family Low-Intensity
High-Intensity
High-intensity
multifamily is
not applicable
in Palm Desert.

Duplexes are
not considered
multifamily in
Palm Desert.

TRIPLEX
• Three dwelling units on a lot
• 2-3 stories
• Units may be side-by-side and/or one
over the other

TOWNHOMES
• 5+ dwelling units
• 2-3 stories
• Separate single-family dwellings that
are closely spaced, semi-attached, or
attached

QUADPLEX
• Four dwelling units on a lot
• 2-4 stories
• Units may be side-by-side and/or one
over the other

COURTYARD, TUCK-UNDER,

AND GARDEN APARTMENTS
• 2-3 stories
• Parking typically underneath a portion
of living spaces in both open and
closed configurations or underground

RESIDENTIAL MULTIPLEX, LOW
• 3 stories maximum, up to 35 ft.
• Parking typically at-grade, units may
be wrapped in front of parking to hide
automobiles

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6 Chapter 1: Introduction
City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

1.5 Applicability
The ODS of this policy shall apply to Qualifying
Housing Development projects identified by
California Government Code Section 65559.5.

Qualified Housing Developments include:
• Multi-family housing developments.
• Residential Mixed-Use Housing
developments with a minimum of
two-thirds of (⅔) the square footage
designated for residential use.
• Supportive and transitional housing
development.

The ODS of this policy shall also apply to said
housing developments located in the following
Palm Desert zoning designations:
• Mixed Residential District (R-2).
• Multifamily Residential District (R-3).
• Planned Residential District (PR).
• Office Professional (OP).
• Planned Commercial (PC).
• Specialty Commercial Center (PC-1).
• District Commercial Center (PC-2).
• Regional Commercial Center (PC-3).
• Resort Commercial Center (PC-4).

The ODS are not applicable to the Downtown
District (D), Downtown Core Overlay District (D.O.),
Downtown Edge District (D.E.), and Downtown
Edge Transition Overlay (D.E.-O) zones, nor do they
apply to single-family homes, duplexes, accessory
dwelling units, or projects approved pursuant to
Senate Bill 9. This policy also does not apply to
non-residential development.

Mixed-use developments, while not a prevalent
typology in Palm Desert, are allowed in multiple
land uses per the City’s General Plan, including
all of the City’s “Centers”, the “Town Center
Neighborhood”, and the “Regional Retail District”
designations. The Mixed-Use Typology Transect
(Figure 2) defines a range of typical mixed-use
building types that may be approved in Palm
Desert, starting with lower-intensity live-work
projects followed by horizontal and vertical
mixed-use typologies. In Palm Desert, the tallest
vertical mixed-use precedent is a five-story
design only permitted at key intersections in the
City Center/Downtown area and not applicable
to this policy.

Figure 2: Mixed-Use Typology Transect.

LIVE/WORK
• 5+ dwelling units on a lot
• 2-3 stories
• A single unit consisting
of both a commercial/
office and a residential
component occupied by the
same resident

HORIZONTAL

MIXED-USE
• 2-3 stories
• A development consisting
of 2+ attached or detached
buildings of different uses
within the same project
area

VERTICAL

MIXED-USE, LOW
• 3-4 stories, maximum 35 ft.
• Subterranean parking or
above-grade parking with
architectural treatments to
screen cars

VERTICAL

MIXED-USE, MEDIUM
• 5 stories, maximum 60 ft.
• Subterranean parking or
above-grade parking with
architectural treatments to
screen cars
High-intensity
mixed-use is
not applicable
in Palm Desert.

Five-story designs are
only permitted at key
intersections in the
Downtown area and
are not applicable to
this policy.

Low-Intensity High-Intensity

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CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 7 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024
If a residential development project with three
or more units, or a mixed-use project with at
least two-thirds (⅔) of the gross floor area square
footage dedicated to housing, or a supportive/
transitional housing project is located in a
Specific Plan area or Overlay District, the ODS
of this policy shall only apply if objective design
standards particular to the Specific Plan or Overlay
District area have not been adopted.

When a design standard of this policy is more
restrictive than a design standard that addresses
the same criteria as noted in Title 25 of the
Municipal Code, then the more restrictive standard
of this policy shall prevail. When a design standard
of this policy is less restrictive than a design
standard that addresses the same criteria as
noted in Title 25 of the Municipal Code, then the
more restrictive standard of the Municipal Code
shall prevail.

1.6 How to Use the Standards
This policy is a primary design reference and tool
to use when designing new multifamily or mixeduse projects in Palm Desert. The design standards of this policy assist project applicants and
their designer’s understanding of the minimum
design standards that shall be met. The ODS
are described in Chapters 2-5 and are organized
as follows:
• Chapter 2: Project Site Objective Design
Standards, consisting of project orientation
and frontage requirements.
• Chapter 3: Open Space Objective
Design Standards, defining landscape
requirements, open space amenities, and
fencing and walls bordering project sites.
• Chapter 4: Building Architecture
Objective Design Standards, focusing on
building form, roofscapes, architectural
components, and exterior materials and
colors.
• Chapter 5: Parking Design Standards,
setting criteria for surface parking lots and
parking garages.

All multifamily and mixed-use projects that are
by-right developments shall be in compliance
with these standards. Compliance with the
standards will help ensure a streamlined and
consistent review and approval process by Staff.

The below steps should be followed at the start of
designing new projects.

1. Review the Palm Desert General Plan to
understand the goals and policies for new
development.

2. Review the Palm Desert Municipal Code to
determine the applicable zoning code land
use requirements that will shape the site
and building design.

3. Review the design standards in Chapters
2-5 in this policy to identify the applicable
design standards for a multifamily or
mixed-use project. All ODS in this policy
apply to both multifamily and mixed-use
projects unless otherwise indicated in the
specific standard.

4. Throughout the design process utilize the
applicable checklist in Chapter 7, Objective
Design Standards Compliance Checklists,
to ensure that all design criteria are met
before submission to the City for approval.

To determine compliance with the ODS, Staff will
use the same checklists to consistently review
the City’s design standards in relation to by-right
multifamily and mixed-use residential project
applications. If a project application is determined
to be in compliance with the objective design
standards, Staff will approve or recommend
approval of the project design. An approved

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8 Chapter 1: Introduction
City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024
project design will still be subject to all other
applicable code requirements before a building
permit may be issued.

Should a multifamily or mixed-use project not
comply with one or more of the ODS, the project
applicant may choose to proceed with one of the
following actions:
• Receive an explanation from Staff
regarding the non-compliance, revise the
building design to be in compliance, and
resubmit their application for approval.
• Choose a discretionary review process
and meet with the Architectural Review
Commission for project design approval.
• Withdraw their application.

Discretionary projects require approval from the
Architectural Review Commission. The City of
Palm Desert Director of Development Services
may expand upon and/or regularly update the
objective design standards in this policy as per
their discretion. The removal of any objective
design standards in this policy can only be
decided upon by the Planning Commission or
City Council.

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CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 9 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024
2 PROJECT SITE

2.1 Project Frontage

2.2 Project Orientation

2.3 Project Fences and Walls

2.4 Project Entries

2.5 Project Sidewalks and Pathways

2.6 Project Curb Cuts, Vehicular

2.7 Project Alleys
CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 9 The intent of the following project site objective design standards is to enhance the pedestrian experience between multifamily and mixed-use developments and their publicfacing frontages, prioritizing the orientation of buildings towards public streets, accessibility from public rights-of-way, and the versatility of bordering fences and walls.

OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS
City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

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10 Chapter 2: Project Site ODS
City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

2.2 PROJECT ORIENTATION

2.2.1. Project orientation. Multifamily and mixed-use projects shall be oriented toward and overlook public streets. To determine that a multifamily or mixed-use project overlooks the public street, such projects shall incorporate a minimum of two of the following project orientation components.
a. A landscaped setback that is a minimum of 20 feet
deep as measured from the frontage property line, or
greater as determined by the setback requirements
in Title 25 of the Palm Desert Municipal Code. The
landscaped setback shall be generally parallel to the
project frontage and incorporate shade trees, planted
a maximum of 30 feet on center, within the first 20
feet of depth along the public street frontage.
b. At least one open space that is a minimum of 20 feet in depth as measured perpendicular to the public
street, the size of which is in relation to the project’s total public street frontage length, per the table below.

2.1 PROJECT FRONTAGE

2.1.1. Maximum frontage length without break. Public street frontages longer than 450 feet in length shall be separated by a public or private street, alley, or a minimum 30-foot wide and open-to-the-sky landscaped open space inclusive of pedestrian pathways.

Street Frontage Minimum Open Space
Less than or equal to 150 feet 600 square feet
Greater than 150 feet and less
than 450 feet
1,500 square feet
Greater than or equal to 450 feet 20% of the total frontage length times 25 feet

PUBLIC STREET
longer than 450’
30’ min
Building breaks along the public-facing
street frontage create opportunities for
circulation and connectivity on larger
sites. See ODS 2.1.1.
public or
private
street,
alley, or
open space
◄
This multifamily project is oriented
towards and incorporates one open
space facing the public street. See
ODS 2.2.1(b).
◄

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CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 11 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024
c. Fences, walls, and/or permanent planter boxes greater than 42 inches in height shall not exceed 20 percent
of the total length of the public street frontage.
d. At the ground level of buildings generally parallel to and located within ten feet of a public-street-facing
frontage setback: street-facing and covered pedestrian
entities, stoops, and/or a minimum eight-foot-clear
width and depth porches, open-to-the-air galleries,
recesses, ramadas, and/or open arcades along a
minimum of 20 percent of the public street frontage.

2.3 PROJECT FENCES AND WALLS

2.3.1. Fence and wall placement. Fences and walls on public-streetfacing lots shall meet the placement requirements correlated to the project’s lot size, per the table below.

Project Lot Size Fence and Wall Placement Requirements
Less than or equal to 15,000
square feet
No fence, wall, or pedestrian gate shall be
placed within the required front yard setback.

Greater than 15,000 feet and
less than one acre
No fence, wall, or gate shall be placed within
the frontage setback along public streets.

Fences, walls, and gates, placed to the rear
of the frontage setback and greater than 42
inches in height, shall not exceed 60 percent
of the total frontage length as measured along
the setback line.

Greater than or equal to
one acre
No fence, wall, or gate shall be placed within
the frontage setback along public streets.

Fences, walls, and gates, placed to the rear
of the frontage setback and greater than 42
inches in height, shall not exceed 80 percent
of the total frontage length as measured along
the setback line.

Lots in Palm Desert should not appear
to be walled off from the public realm.

See ODS 2.3.1.
◄
18” min
150’ max
STREET
fence
or wall
Modulating a perimeter fence or wall
provides versatility at eye-level so that
pedestrians are not walking alongside
a flat wall. See ODS 2.3.2(b).
◄

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12 Chapter 2: Project Site ODS
City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

2.3.2. Fence and wall modulation. Fences and walls
shall incorporate at least one of the following
modulation components.
a. Change in material for every 150 lineal feet of fence or wall.
b. Offset at least 18 inches or incorporate a pilaster not to exceed the height of the fence or wall by more than
one foot for every 150 lineal feet of fence or wall.

2.3.3. Fence and wall materials. Fences and walls adjoining public streets or rights-of-way shall be constructed of the following materials or any combination of the following materials. a. Aluminum, painted.
b. Brick.
c. Concrete.
d. Metal tube.
e. Stone, face stone, and/or veneer stone.
f. Wrought iron.

Use of corrugated metal for fences is prohibited.

2.3.4. Rear and interior side yard fences and walls. All new residential construction shall include walls or fences of a minimum of 5 feet in height enclosing rear and interior side yards.

2.4 PROJECT ENTRIES

2.4.1. Publicly visible gate or door. At least one project entry shall be a publicly visible gate or door that provides direct entry to a building or open space, open-to-the-air plaza, patio, or courtyard. This project entry shall be within 60 feet of the curb of a public street or public vehicular drop off point. 1’ max
150’ max
pilaster
fence or
wall
Pilasters segment a perimeter fence
or wall, also providing variety from
the pedestrian perspective. See ODS

2.3.2(b).
◄

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CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 13 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

2.4.2. Number of project entries. The number of project entries to an indoor or outdoor area, lobby, and/or dwelling unit that is visible from the public street frontage shall be determined by the total length of public street frontage on a site, per the table below.

Gates and doors into projects within
close proximity of the public street
create more connectivity into larger
sites. See ODS 2.4.2.
◄

PUBLIC STREET / VEHICULAR DROP OFF POINT
60’ max
building or
open space
gate or door
pedestrian
entry
Total Length of Public Street
Frontage
Minimum Number of Project Entries
Less than or equal to 150 feet 1
Greater than 150 feet and less than
450 feet
2 Greater than or equal to 450 feet 2 project entries for each 450 of total length up to a total length of 1,350
feet, after which there is no additional
project entry requirement.

2.4.3. Pedestrian entrances. A minimum of one pedestrian entrance to the project shall be provided for each 450 feet of total frontage along public streets.

2.5 PROJECT SIDEWALKS AND PATHWAYS

2.5.1. Site connectivity, public sidewalks. All on-site buildings, entries, facilities, amenities, and vehicular and bicycle parking areas shall be internally connected by on-site
sidewalks and as-needed pathways that may include use of the public sidewalk.

2.5.2. Site connectivity, public streets. Intersecting public and private streets, access drives, drive aisles, alleys, and marked crosswalks shall link to all public streets adjoining a project.

On-site pathways connect entries
into this multifamily project. See
ODS 2.5.2.
◄

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14 Chapter 2: Project Site ODS
City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

2.5.3. Sidewalk width. On-site sidewalks shall be at least four feet in unobstructed width.

2.5.4. Parkways. A minimum five-foot width parkway shall be provided along at least one side of all on-site sidewalks and pathways.

2.5.5. Landscape parkways. When an on-site sidewalk or pathway is provided within a required public street frontage or setback that is 20 feet or greater in depth, a minimum five-foot width landscape parkway shall be provided along both sides of the sidewalk or pathway.

2.5.6. Landscape parkway with ground-floor architectural component. Notwithstanding ODS 2.13 above, only one
parkway is required at a project when at least one of
the following architectural components is placed along
60 percent of the ground floor building frontage that
adjoins a public street, required front yard, or public street frontage setback.
a. Stoops.
b. Minimum eight-foot clear depth porches.
c. Arcades, galleries, and/or ramadas.
d. Eight-foot minimum depth recesses.
e. 30-inch minimum depth overhangs, trellises,
and/or awnings.

2.5.7. Driveway access and sidewalks. Vehicular driveways that access any public right-of-way shall be adjoined by sidewalks with a four-foot-wide, curb-adjacent landscape area on at least one side of the vehicular access drive.

Stoops, like the photo above, would
permit buildings to only require one
landscape parkway if the stoops
constitute at least 60 percent of
the ground floor frontage. See ODS

2.5.6(a).
◄
5’ min
4’ min
5’ min
parkway
sidewalk
parkway
20’ or
greater
in
depth
This diagram shows a four-foot
minimum on-site sidewalk (See ODS

2.5.3) within a public street frontage
that is 20 feet or greater in depth (See
ODS 2.5.5), resulting in a landscape
parkway on both sides of the sidewalk
and increased area for canopy tree
shade.
◄

PUBLIC STREET

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CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 15 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

2.6 PROJECT CURB CUTS, VEHICULAR

2.6.1. Number of curb cuts. The maximum number of curb cuts permitted on a site shall be determined by the total length of public street frontage, per the table below.
ground floor
architectural
component
The arcade in this diagram extends at
least 60% of the ground floor building
frontage and incorporates a shading
element into the building design, which
permits the building to only require
one parkway. See ODS 2.5.6(c).
◄
Total Length of Public Street
Frontage
Maximum Number of Curb Cuts
Between 50 and 150 feet 1
Greater than 150 feet 1 curb cut for each 450 feet of public street frontage

2.6.2. Curb cut width. On sites where the public street frontage is less than 450 feet in length, the maximum width of a curb cut shall be no greater than 36 feet.

2.6.3. Curb cut medians. Any site that requires more than a 36-foot curb cut shall divide the curb cut with a minimum five-foot width median such that no segment of the cut is more than 36 feet in width.

2.6.4. Curb cuts, parking area. Any curb cut that leads to a parking area with less than 25 spaces shall be no more than 24 feet in width.

This multifamily project provides
a landscaped median with signage
in between two curb cuts, which
serve as a vehicular entry and exit
to the project. See ODS 2.6.3.
◄

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16 Chapter 2: Project Site ODS
City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

2.7 PROJECT ALLEYS

2.7.1. Alley entry. Projects abutting an alley shall provide all vehicular access, including service access, from the alley.

2.7.2. Alley parkways. If a new alley greater than 30 feet in width is provided, at least one minimum five-foot landscaped
parkway shall be provided along 70 percent of the total length of the alley, exclusive of the length of curb cuts for driveways, garages, required red curbs for fire access, and vehicular access aisles.
5’ min
30’
min A five-foot minimum parkway between
the project boundary line adds
landscaping along new alleyways. See
ODS 2.7.2.
◄
ALLEY
70% alley length min
landscaped
parkway

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CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 17 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024
3 LANDSCAPE &

3.1 Site Landscaping

3.2 Canopy Trees

3.3 Specimen Trees

3.4 Shrubs and Perennials

3.5 Landscape Islands

3.6 Inorganic Groundcover

3.7 Boulders

3.8 On-Site Lighting

3.9 Passive and Active Amenities

OPEN SPACE
CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 17 The intent of the following landscape and open space
objective design standards is to cultivate over time a
pedestrian-oriented open space along the public rights-ofway adjacent to multifamily and mixed-use developments, with a visual and natural identity inspired by the surrounding native landscape of the California Sonoran Desert.

OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS
City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

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18 Chapter 3: Landscape and Open Space ODS
City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

3.1 SITE LANDSCAPING

3.1.1. Frontages. All frontages adjoining public and private streets shall be landscaped.

3.1.2. Setbacks. All front yard, side yard, street-facing side yard, and rear yard setbacks shall be landscaped.

3.2 LANDSCAPE ISLANDS

3.2.1. Landscape island dimensions. See ODS 5.1.4.

3.2.2. Landscape islands, end parking stalls. See ODS 5.1.5.

3.3.3. Landscape islands, surface parking. See ODS 5.1.6.

3.3 CANOPY TREES

3.3.1. Canopy trees at public street-adjoining frontages. A minimum of one irrigated, 24-inch box tree shall be planted a maximum of 30 feet on center along frontages adjoining public streets.
‘Desert Museum’ Palo Verde, a
permitted canopy tree. See ODS

3.3.5. ◄
Sweet Acacia, a permitted canopy
tree. See ODS 3.3.5.
◄

3.3.2. Canopy trees at front yards. Where a front yard setback is required, a minimum of one irrigated, 24-inch box tree shall be planted for each 900 square feet of setback area, less the area of any driveways and sidewalks that cross and/or are within the front yard area.

3.3.3. Canopy trees at on-site surface parking. See ODS 5.1.8.

3.4.4. Canopy tree distribution at on-site surface parking. See ODS 5.1.9.
30’ max

PUBLIC STREET
Frequent canopy trees provide shade
and enhance both the pedestrian
experience and public street frontage.

See ODS 3.3.1.
◄
The selection and balance of canopy
trees and organic and inorganic
groundcover create a landscape
identity for specific to Palm Desert
multifamily and mixed-use projects.
◄

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CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 19 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024
Texas Ebony, a permitted canopy
tree. See ODS 3.3.5.
◄
Thornless Cascalote, a permitted
canopy tree. See ODS 3.3.5.
◄

3.3.5. Canopy tree selection. Along frontages adjoining public streets and public rights-of-way and yards where canopy trees are required, utilize a minimum of three species from the following list and/or approved list of drought resistant canopy trees with no more than 50 percent of all selected canopy trees comprising the same species.
a. ‘Desert Museum’ Palo Verde. Parkinsonia (Cercidium) x ‘Desert Museum.’ 1
b. Ironwood. Olneya tesota.
c. Palo Brea. Parkinsonia praecox.
d. Sweet Acacia. Acacia smallii.
e. Texas Ebony. Pithecellobium flexicaule.
f. Thornless Cascalote. Caesalpinia cacalaco ‘Smoothie.’ Any invasive, noxious, and nuisance plant species and any plant species designated by the weed control regulations in the Federal Noxious Weed Control and Eradication Act of 2004 and identified on a regional district noxious plant species control list shall be prohibited. Nuisance plant species include, but are not limited to:

Washingtonia robusta, Dalbergia sissoo and Euphorbia tirucalli.

3.3.6. Canopy tree shade on sidewalks. Within required frontages and front yard setbacks with sidewalks and pathways, all canopy trees shall be planted to cast shade onto the sidewalk for a minimum of three hours a day during the months of June, July, and August within five years of planting.

3.4 SPECIMEN TREES

3.4.1. Specimen trees at frontage areas. In addition to canopy trees, a minimum of one irrigated, 24-inch box specimen tree shall be planted for each 900 square feet of frontage adjoining a public street and/or right-of-way, exclusive of the area of driveways and sidewalks.

3.4.2. Specimen tree selection. Select a minimum of two species from the following list of drought-resistant specimen trees, with no more than 50 percent of all specimen trees planted in required frontages adjoining public streets and public rights-of-way comprising the same species.
a. Smoke Tree. Psorothamnus (Dalea) spinosus.
b. Honey Mesquite. Prosopis glandulosa. Must be a thornless cultivar inclusive of Prosopis glandulosa ‘Maverick’ or Prosopis glandulosa ‘AZT.’
c. Soaptree. Yucca elata.

Smoke Tree, a permitted specimen
tree. See ODS 3.4.2.
◄
Honey Mesquite is a permitted
specimen tree, but must be a
thornless cultivar inclusive of
Prosopis glandulosa ‘Maverick’
or Prosopis glandulosa ‘AZT.’ See
ODS 3.4.2.
◄
1 Consider irrigation practices that better emulate natural conditions or move irrigation lines incrementally over time to encourage “Desert Museum” Palo Verde roots to grow more robustly and better prevent this species from falling over.

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20 Chapter 3: Landscape and Open Space ODS
City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

3.5 SHRUBS AND PERENNIALS

3.5.1. Shrub and perennial groundcover. For each continuous area of required frontage and/or required front yard area, all ground surfaces without inorganic groundcover shall be covered by live plant material within five years of planting.

See ODS 3.6.1.

3.5.2. Shrub and perennial groundcover selection. Select a minimum of five species from the list of drought-resistant shrub and perennial groundcover below, with no more than 30 percent of all live plant material in required frontage areas and/or front yards comprising the same species.

A minimum of three of the selected species shall be
woody plants.

Species Regional Native

GROUNDCOVER
Wild Marigold Baileya multiradiata 
Prostrate Acacia Acacia redolens
Flattop Buckwheat Eriogonum fasciculatum v. poliofolium  Germander Sage Salvia chamaedryoides

PERENNIALS
Desert Sand Verbena Abronia villosa 
Wild Marigold Baileya multiradiata 
Lyreleaf Greeneyes Berlandiera lyrata 
Hartweg's Sundrops Calylophus hartwegii
Lanceleaf Coreopsis Coreopsis lanceolata 
Golden Dyssodia Dyssodia pentachaeta 
California Golden Poppy Eschscholzia californica 
Western Sundance Daisy Hymenoxys acaulis
Blackfoot Daisy Melampodium leucanthum
Siskiyou Mexican Evening Primrose Oenothera berlandieri Tufted Evening Primrose Oenothera caespitosa
Firecracker Penstemon Penstemon eatonii 
Superb Penstemon Penstemon superbus
Whitestem Paperflower Psilotrophe cooperi 
Desert Globemallow Sphaeralcea ambigua 
Mexican Marigold Tagetes lemonii
Plains Zinnia Zinnia grandiflora
Species Regional Native
SHRUBS
Triangle-leaf Bursage Ambrosia deltoidea 
White Bursage Ambrosia dumosa 
Shadscale Atriplex canescens 
Big Saltbush Atriplex lentiformis
Prostrate Coyote Bush Baccharis x ‘Thompson’™
Woolly Butterfly Bush Buddleia marrubifolia
Baja Fairy Duster Calliandra californica
Fairy Duster Calliandra eriophylla 
Rubber Rabbitbrush Chrysothamnus nauseosus
Littleleaf Cordia Cordia parviflora
Silver Prairie Clover Dalea bicolor
Black Dalea Dalea frutescens ‘Sierra Negra’
Indigo Bush Dalea pulchra 
Brittlebrush Encelia farinosa
Turpentine Bush Ericarmeria laricifolia
Apache Plume Fallugia paradoxa
San Marcos Hibiscus Gossypium harknessii 
Desert Lavender Hyptis emoryii 
Chuparosa Justicia californica 
Creosote Bush Larrea tridentata
Thuder Cloud Sage Leucophyllum candidum ‘Thundercloud’™ Texas Sage Leucophyllum frutescens
Rio Bravo Texas Sage Leucophyllum langmaniae 'Rio Bravo'™ Chihuahuan Sage Leucophyllum laevigatum
Fragrant Sage Leucophyllum pruinosum ’Sierra Bouquet’
Blue Ranger Leucophyllum zygophyllum ‘Cimarron’™
Barbados Cherry Malpighia glabra 
Sugar Bush Rhus ovata
Baja Ruellia Ruellia peninsularis 
Cleveland Sage Salvia clevelandii 
Jojoba Simmondsia chinensis
List of permitted shrub and
perennial groundcover for
multifamily and mixed-use
projects. See ODS 3.5.2.
◄
◄
Wild Marigold, a regional native, is an
example of a permitted groundcover.
◄

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CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 21 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

3.5.3. Use of thorned, serrated-edged, sharp-toothed, or sharpedged plant materials. Thorned, serrated-edged, sharptoothed, or sharp-edged plant materials shall not be planted so as to grow within two feet of a sidewalk or pathway and ten feet from a children’s play area.

3.6 INORGANIC GROUNDCOVER

3.6.1. Inorganic groundcover. Within required frontages adjoining public streets and front yard setbacks, a maximum of 50 percent of ground surfaces shall be covered with gravel, cobble, or boulders.

3.6.2. Gravel and cobble type. Select a minimum of one type of gravel and one type of cobble with no more than fifty percent of all surfaces covered in inorganic groundcover comprising the same material.

3.6.3. Groundcover placement. Shrub and perennial groundcovers shall be planted next to and not within a bed of cobble.

3.6.4. Inorganic groundcover color. Any inorganic material utilized within a required frontage adjoining a public street or rightof-way shall be of a color and value (light versus dark) that reflects more light than it absorbs.

3.7 BOULDERS

3.7.1. Required boulders. For each continuous area of parkway and landscaped setback, locate a minimum of one boulder for each 500 square feet of landscaped setback area, exclusive of the area of driveways and sidewalks.

3.7.2. Irregular spacing. Boulders shall be spaced irregularly.

3.7.3. Buried below grade. The bottom third of boulders shall be buried below grade.

3.8 ON-SITE LIGHTING

3.8.1. Dark sky compliant. All exterior lighting shall be dark sky compliant and/or fully shielded.

3.8.2. Fully shielded. Exterior lighting shall be fully shielded and arranged so that the source of the light can not be viewed directly.

Flattop Buckwheat, a regional
native groundcover, along a pathway
and adjacent to other shrubs and
perennials.
◄
This landscape setback along
a public street incorporates
irregularly-spaced shrub and
perennial groundcover as well as
boulders.
◄
While this landscape uses a variety
of inorganic ground cover, it would
not be permitted if the setback
was along a required public street
frontage or front yard because more
than 50 percent of landscape is
inorganic. See ODS 3.6.1.
◄

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22 Chapter 3: Landscape and Open Space ODS
City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

3.8.3. Uplighting. Exterior uplighting is prohibited, unless used to feature an architectural or landscape element pursuant to Section 24.16.020 of the Palm Desert Municipal Code.

3.8.4. Lighting angle below the horizon. Exterior lighting shall restrain light from the source to a minimum 30 degrees
below the horizontal plane of the light source.

3.8.5. Pedestrian-oriented lighting, location. Pedestrian-oriented lighting shall be provided along all on-site sidewalks and pathways and exterior amenity spaces.

3.8.6. Pedestrian-oriented lighting, placement. Light fixtures shall be placed along all on-site sidewalks and pathways at a spacing of no more than 30 lineal feet on center.

3.7.7. Pedestrian-oriented lighting, illumination. On-site sidewalks, walkways, pathways, and paseos shall be illuminated to
a minimum of 1 foot-candle to ensure safe nighttime
conditions.

3.8.8. Stand-alone exterior lighting. Stand-alone exterior lighting fixtures shall be a minimum of three feet and a maximum of 14 feet in height.

Number of Dwelling Units (DUs) Number of Required Passive Amenities Less than 20 DUs 1
Between 20 and 50 DUs 2
Between 51 and 99 DUs 3
100 DUs and greater 4

3.9 PASSIVE AND ACTIVE AMENITIES

3.9.1. Passive amenities. Projects shall incorporate the minimum required number of passive amenities per the table below.

Exterior lighting must be placed along
all on-site sidewalks (see ODS 3.8.5),
be between three and 14 feet in height
(see ODS 3.8.8), and have a minimum
30-degree light beam (see ODS 3.8.4).
◄
30’ max
30° min
3’ min
14’ max

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CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 23 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

3.9.2. Types of passive amenities. Passive amenities shall be from the list below. A passive amenity may be used multiple times and each passive amenity provided counts as one amenity. a. Gazebo.
b. Passive water amenity, including but not limited to
fountain, waterfall, stream, or pond.
c. Picnic shelter.
d. Seating area(s) with benches and/or loose single chairs a minimum of 12 feet wide in one dimension and 144
square feet in area per the following requirements.
e. Seating walls a minimum of eight feet in length per
the following requirements.
f. Secured package lockers contained within an
outdoor shelter.

3.9.3. Active amenities. Projects shall incorporate the minimum required number of active amenities per the table below.

Number of Dwelling Units (DUs) Number of Required
Seating Areas
Less than 20 DUs 1
Between 20 and 50 DUs 2
Between 51 and 99 DUs 3
100 DUs and greater 4
Number of Dwelling Units (DUs) Number of Required
Seating Walls
Less than 20 DUs 1
Between 20 and 50 DUs 2
Between 51 and 99 DUs 3
100 DUs and greater 4
Number of Dwelling Units (DUs) Number of Required Active Amenities Fewer than 20 DUs 2
Between 20 and 50 DUs 3
Between 51 and 99 DUs 4
Between 100 and 149 DUs 5
150 DUs and greater 6 amenities plus one additional active amenity for each additional 50 units.

Seating area with loose single
chairs.

Picnic shelter in a multifamily
project courtyard.
◄
◄

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24 Chapter 3: Landscape and Open Space ODS
City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

3.9.4. Types of active amenities. Active amenities shall be from the list below. A water amenity must be one of the required number of active amenities. An active amenity may be used multiple times and each active amenity provided counts as one amenity.
a. Active water amenity, including but not limited
to a pool, spa, hot tub, splash pad, and/or misting
area (must be one of the required number of
active amenities)
b. Barbecue
c. Clubhouse and/or recreation room that opens onto an
outdoor amenity area
d. Community garden
e. Court game facility
f. Exercise area and/or par course
g. Jogging and/or par course
h. Pet area and/or run and/or wash
i. Play area, children’s
The clubhouse in this multifamily
project opens up to the pool.
◄
Fenced off pet area in a multifamily
apartment courtyard.
◄
Children’s play area.
◄
Bocce ball lawn.
◄

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CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 25 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024
4 BUILDING ARCHITECTURE

4.1 Building Height

4.2 Building Length

4.3 Building Modulation

4.4 Building Roofs

4.5 Building Materials

4.6 Building Openings, Multifamily

4.7 Building Openings, Mixed-Use

4.8 Building Windows

4.9 Building Balconies and Stairwells

4.10 Building Utilities

4.11 Building Facade Colors

4.12 Building Water Drainage Devices

4.13 Building Trash/Recycling Bins and Enclosures

4.14 Building Design Components
CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 25 The intent of the following building architecture objective design standards is to connect multifamily and mixed-use projects to the existing natural and physical surrounds, including but not limited to architectural components and facade modulation that prioritize shade and the use of
materials and colors that reflect the desert environment.

OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS
City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

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26 Chapter 4: Building Architecture ODS
City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

4.1 BUILDING HEIGHT

4.1.1. Building height measurement along public streets. The maximum building height of a multifamily or mixed-use
structure within 150 feet of the curb of a public street shall be established by a vertical measurement from the average elevation of the street curb adjacent to the property to the highest point of the structure, provided that a roof shall be measured to the highest point of the roof.

4.1.2. Building height measurement adjoining a residential zoned property. The maximum building height of a multifamily or mixed-use structure within 150 feet of a residential property line shall be established by a vertical measurement from the elevation of the finished grade along the property line of the residential zoned property or the finished grade along the property line of the project site, whichever is lower in elevation, to the highest point of the roof of the structure.

In this diagram, the single-family zoned
property has a lower elevation than
the adjoining multifamily or mixeduse property. The height of the higher density building, in order to minimize
the visual impact, is measured from the
finished grade along the property line
of the single-family lot.

Measuring the building height from
the public street is intended to
prevent a building from feeling taller
or “towering” over the public realm,
specifically when the building is
placed near the public street and the
property is at a higher elevation than
the public street.
◄
◄
150’ max PUBLIC STREET
building
height
150’ max
building
height

RESIDENTIAL

PROPERTY

MULTIFAMILY

OR MIXED-USE

PROPERTY

4.1.3. Transitional height abutting a single-family zoned property.

When a multifamily or mixed-use building is placed on a lot that abuts or is across a right-of-way from a R-1, R-1M, R-E, R-2, or PR regulation properties with a density of PR-10 or lower property line, the otherwise allowed building height shall be modulated by an inward-leaning 45-degree angled plane inclined towards the multifamily or mixed-use building as measured from a horizontal plane originating 15 feet above grade at the abutting property line.

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CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 27 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

4.1.4. Maximum building height at public-street-facing frontages.

In addition to the minimum horizontal setbacks otherwise required by the Municipal Code, the maximum height
of a building abutting a public street frontage shall be determined by its distance from the street-facing setback line, per the table below.

Distance from Street-Facing
Setback (feet)
Maximum Building Height
(feet/stories)
Less than or equal to 30 feet 24 feet / 2-stories (w/ flat roof) Greater than 30 feet Per Municipal Code
R-1, R-1M, R-E, R-2,
OR <PR-10 PROPERTY
MULTIFAMILY OR MIXEDUSE PROPERTY
15’
45°

4.2 BUILDING LENGTH

4.2.1. Building wall, maximum length. For both new structures and existing structures with an addition, no building wall shall exceed 250 feet in length.

4.2.2. Building breaks, open to the sky. When building breaks are required, a minimum 40-foot open-to-the-sky separation shall be provided between resulting structures. These open-to-thesky building breaks shall provide for landscaped public and private rights-of-way, courts, passageways, paseos, and/or other active and/or passive landscaped open spaces.

4.2.3. Building breaks with vehicular street. If a private and/or public vehicular street is utilized to provide a required opento-the-sky separation, the vehicular street shall incorporate a minimum five foot sidewalk and adjoining minimum five foot parkway.

The arcade in this diagram extends
at least 60% of the ground floor
building frontage, which permits the
building to only require one parkway.

See ODS 4.1.3.
◄
This multifamily project drops
down to a single story at the rear
of the site because of a transitional
height requirement mandating a
transition between the building
and the adjacent single-family
neighborhood.
◄

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28 Chapter 4: Building Architecture ODS
City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

4.3 BUILDING MODULATION

4.3.1. Building modulation. Buildings shall be broken into major and minor masses and/or feature architectural modulation utilizing at least four of the following.
a. Minimum six-foot-clear width ground-level arcades,
open-to-the-air galleries, colonnades, porches,
recesses, ramadas, and trellis structures placed along a minimum of 80 percent of the ground-floor length of
two building faces.
b. For each 50 feet of building wall length, incorporation of open-to-the-sky recesses in mass and bulk, or
projections of mass and bulk, that are a minimum of
eight feet in length and three feet in depth.

This diagram shows open-to-the-sky
recesses in the building mass that is
at least three feet deep and eight feet
long every 50 feet of building wall
length. See ODS 4.3.1(b).

If ODS 4.3.1(a) is incorporated
into a project to meet modulation
requirements, a ground-level arcade
along 80 percent of two sides of a
multifamily or mixed-use building as
shown in the diagram is permitted.
◄
◄
ground-level
arcade
ground-level
arcade

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CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 29 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024
c. Use of minor building masses contrasted with major
building masses where the wall area of the minor
masses is a maximum of 40 percent of the total
wall area.
d. At the top floor of the building, a minimum six-footclear width setback from the floor immediately below along at least two sides of the building.
e. Utilization of sun-screening elements, including
sunshades, awnings, and canopies, on windows, doors,
and openings at south- and west-facing building walls.
f. Covered and open-to-the-air balconies where
the area of the projections or recesses of the
balconies constitute a minimum of 15 percent of the
building walls.
g. Roof overhangs or projections that provide a minimum of eight feet of vertical shaded wall at noon on the
summer solstice.
h. Vertical and irrigated landscaping that is located
within five feet of a wall, screens at least two walls
and 30 percent of the perimeter of the structure,
and achieves per specification a minimum 20 feet of
height after five years of growth.
i. Utilization of two or more building wall materials,
where the first material constitutes a maximum of 30
percent of the building’s total wall area less openings and is non-cementitious, and a second material
constitutes no more than 70 percent of the total wall
area less openings.
j. Buildings where the building footprint immediately
below the top floor constitutes no more than 80
percent of the building footprint immediately below.

The top floor of multifamily and
mixed-use buildings may be set
back at least six feet on two sides
to achieve a building modulation
requirement. See ODS 4.3.1(d).
◄
This multifamily project incorporates
sliding wood screens into the facade
design to provide shade. See ODS

4.3.1(e).

This mixed-use project highlights a
base, middle, and top massing by the
use of multiple materials. See ODS

4.3.1(i).
◄
◄

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30 Chapter 4: Building Architecture ODS
City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024
k. Inclusion of one or more tower elements that are no
more than half the height of the floor-to-floor height
of the tallest building story. The tower element shall
be recessed or projected from the rest of the building
mass by a minimum of two feet.

Two-story buildings that do not front a public street or public right-of-way are not required to meet the modulation requirements of this section.

4.3.2. Vehicle entrances. Where vehicle entries are incorporated into a building wall facing a public street, the facade shall incorporate two of the following components:
a. A vehicle entrance that is set back a minimum of 20
feet from the back of sidewalk or required setback,
whichever results in the furthest distance from the
public street.
b. Where a pedestrian entrance is provided adjacent
to the garage opening, a minimum five-foot wide
sidewalk leading to the public street and sidewalk.
c. At least one landscaped area, a minimum five feet in width, adjoining the vehicle access drive and leading
from the public street to the garage entrance.

4.3.3. Upper story floor area limit. The gross area of the top story of buildings including exterior walls and roof projections and overhangs shall be a maximum of 80 percent of the floor immediately below, inclusive of required stair structures, mechanical and utility penthouses, elevator overrides, towers, and rooftop common area structures including trellises
and overhangs.

ODS 4.3.1(j) creates modulation of
the building mass by decreasing the
ground floor building square footage
as more floors are added. In this
diagram, the second floor footprint
(orange) is 80 percent less than the
ground floor footprint, and the top floor
footprint is 80 percent less than the
second floor footprint.
◄
80% of
ground floor
80% of floor
below
This multifamily project incorporates
recessed tower elements that create
modulation in the building mass.

See ODS 4.3.1(k).
◄

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CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 31 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

4.4 BUILDING ROOFS

4.4.1. Roof types. The following roof types, or a combination of the following roof types, shall be utilized for multifamily and mixed-use buildings.
a. Butterfly roof.
b. Clerestory roof.
c. Conical roof.
d. Cross-hipped roof.
e. Curved/barrel vaulted roof.
f. Dome roof.
g. Flat roof.
h. Gable roof.
i. Hexagonal roof.
j. Hip and valley roof.
k. Intersecting gable roof.
l. Hip roof.
m. M-shaped roof.
n. Monitor roof.
o. Pyramid hip roof.
p. Sawtooth roof.
q. Skillion roof.
r. Shed roof.

No other roof types or forms are permitted.
80% of the floor immediately below
The top floor of multifamily and
mixed-use buildings is 80 percent of
the footprint of the floor immediately
below. See ODS 4.3.3.
◄
The use of both flat and pitched
roofs in this multifamily project
adds versatility to the roofline. See
ODS 4.4.1.
◄

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32 Chapter 4: Building Architecture ODS
City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

4.4.2. Roof slopes. The pitch of sloped roofs, other than conical roofs, curved/barrel vaulted roofs, or dome roofs, shall be no less than 2:12 and no greater than 4:12.

4.4.3. Sloped roof materials. Sloped roofs shall utilize one of the following materials.
a. Concrete or lightweight concrete tile.
b. Metal that is non-reflective.
c. Solar panel tiles, solar roof tiles, or solar shingles. d. Natural tone or slate tile.
e. Terracotta tile or simulated terracotta tile.

4.4.4. Prohibited roof materials. The following roof materials are not permitted.
a. Asphalt-shingle roofs.
b. Glass roofs or skylights that comprise more than 10
percent of the total gross area of the floor below.
c. Corrugated metal roofing.

4.4.5. Flat roof modulation. Flat roofs shall be modulated vertically per the table below.

Type of Modulation Multifamily Buildings Mixed-Use Buildings Flat Roof
Vertical Modulation
A minimum of 42 inches
at least once every
36 feet.

A minimum of 42 inches
at least once every
50 feet.

For every 36 feet in multifamily
building width and every 50 feet in
mixed-use building width, the height
of the building should increase or
decrease by at least 42 inches, not to
exceed the maximum height limit. See
ODS 4.4.5 for flat roof modulation and
ODS 4.1.1-4.1.4 for building height
requirements.
◄ 42”
min

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CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 33 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

4.5 BUILDING MATERIALS

4.5.1. Building wall materials. A building shall utilize at least two of the following exterior wall materials.
a. Cementitious or acrylic stucco, or an exterior
insulating and finish system with a cementitious finish. b. Two stucco textures. If a float finish is utilized for one of the stucco textures, the second stucco texture shall be a float or dash finish stucco and shall be utilized at a minimum of 10 percent of the total wall area.
c. Two stucco colors with at least one of the stucco
colors utilized at a minimum of 10 percent of the total wall area.
d. Metal panels that are non-reflective.
e. Natural stone or manufactured stone veneer at a
minimum of 10 percent of the total wall area.
f. Terra cotta tile and/or rain screens.
g. Colored precision block, glazed block, face brick, face stone, split face block, shot blast block, or slump stone at a minimum of 10 percent of the total wall area.

4.4.6. Greenhouses. Greenhouses that are incorporated into a multifamily or mixed-use structure and whose total floor area is 10 percent or less of the total gross floor area of the building are exempt from the roof type, slope, modulation, and materials requirements of these design standards.

4.4.7. Parapet return. Parapets that extend beyond the wall plane due to horizontal building modulation must return and
extend a minimum six feet past the wall plane and inwards towards the building.

The parapet in this diagram extends
an additional six feet past the wall
plane where the building modulation
extends forward. See ODS 4.4.7.
◄
This townhome project uses multiple
colors of stucco, metal paneling and
railings, and precision and split face
block. See ODS 4.5.1(a)., 4.5.1(c),

4.5.1(d), and 4.5.1(g).

This multifamily project uses
multiple stucco colors and a face
stone for the entirety of the ground
floor. See ODS 4.5.1(a), 4.5.1(c), and

4.5.1(g).
◄
◄

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34 Chapter 4: Building Architecture ODS
City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

4.5.2. Wall material transitions. Transitions between differing material and colors on the walls of a building facade shall utilize at least one of the following design methodologies. a. An inside corner where planes intersect.
b. Utilization of a reveal, projecting band, and or planar offset to mark the transition between the base, middle, and top of the building.
c. Use of a building detail, such as a cornice, belt
course, roof projection or eave, and/or habitable or
decorative projections.
d. Utilization of recesses or projections at windows
a minimum of 3 inches in depth at all windows
and openings.
e. An offset in a plane where the material transition or color occurs with a minimum depth of five inches.

4.5.3. Prohibited building wall materials. 100 percent glass buildings are prohibited.

4.6 BUILDING OPENINGS, MULTIFAMILY

4.6.1. Ground-level architectural component, multifamily only.

Multifamily buildings facing public streets shall provide ground floor porches, ramadas, colonnades, or recesses that are a minimum of six feet in clear depth and seven feet in height along a minimum of 30 percent of the building length.

4.6.2. Upper-level glazing, multifamily only. Multifamily buildings shall provide a minimum 15 percent and a maximum of 30
percent transparent glazing and/or openings at building walls above the ground level as measured from the finish floor level to the underside of the floor or roof above.

4.6.3. Openings, multifamily only. For multifamily buildings, the area of openings in walls above the first level, inclusive of doors and windows and exclusive of any floor-to-floor and floor-to-roof wall area shaded by porches, verandas, arcades, galleries, ramadas, trellises, open-to-the-air recesses, continuous brise-soleil and other open-to-the-air architectural screening elements, shall constitute a minimum of 15 percent and a maximum of 40 percent of the total wall area above the first level.

This multifamily project uses
multiple building materials through
various transition techniques.

Materials change at the inside
corner of two building planes
intersecting and a belt course
horizontally divides the building
and changes material. See ODS

4.5.2(a) and 4.5.2(c).

The ground level of this multifamily
building is recessed to provide
shade along the street frontage. See
ODS 4.6.1.

This multifamily building keeps the
number of wall openings above the
ground level below 40 percent. See
ODS 4.6.3.
◄
◄
◄

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CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 35 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

4.7 BUILDING OPENINGS, MIXED-USE

4.7.1. Ground-level transparency or frontage component, mixed-use only. The ground level of mixed-use buildings shall comprise at least one of the following elements.
a. Glazing at the ground level of walls that face a public street shall constitute a minimum of 60 percent of the
total wall length and such glazing shall be a minimum
of 8-feet in height.
b. A porch, veranda, arcade, gallery, ramada, projecting trellis, open-to-the-air recess, and/or permanent
overhang that is a minimum of eight feet in clear
depth along at least 80 percent of the length of any
wall that faces a public street.

4.7.2. Upper-level glazing, mixed-use only. At upper levels of mixed-use buildings, the total area of glazing shall be a minimum of 15 percent of the total wall area.

4.7.3. Openings, mixed-use only. The combined surface area of windows, doors, or other openings inclusive of continuous glass systems shall comprise no more than 60 percent of the total wall area of any individual mixed-use building face.

4.8 BUILDING WINDOWS

4.8.1. Window and door details. Building windows and doors shall utilize at least two of the following:
a. Three distinct sizes of windows.
b. Shading devices including shutters, exterior blinds, awnings, brise-soleil, sun screens and/or decorative
architectural details that create a distinct shadow line at a minimum 60 percent of openings.
c. Recesses or projections a minimum of three inches in depth at a minimum of 60 percent of all openings.
d. Trim around the opening that is no less than four
inches in width and creates a projection or recess no
less than two inches in depth.
e. Use of metal-clad, thermally-broken metal or steel,
and/or wood windows or doors at all openings.
f. Exterior shades.

More than sixty percent of the
ground level of this mixed-use
building is glazing. See ODS 4.7.1(a).

The glazing at the upper levels of
this mixed-use development is at
least 15 percent of the total wall
area. See ODS 4.7.2.

This multifamily development has
recessed windows of at least three
distinct size. See ODS 4.8.1(a) and

4.8.1(c).
◄
◄
◄

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36 Chapter 4: Building Architecture ODS
City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

4.8.2. Windows, storage, utilities, and screening. Where windows open onto a utility or storage use or occupancy, the window opening shall be provided with interior or exterior screening such as an interior or exterior shade, and/or decorative and/ or obscuring glass.

4.9 BUILDING BALCONIES AND STAIRWELLS

4.9.1. Balcony depth. Balconies shall be a minimum of six feet in clear depth.

4.9.2. Balcony design. Balconies shall be recessed or shaded by balconies or roof projections immediately above and/or
by minimum four-foot deep awnings, canopies, ramadas,
recesses, and/or trellises.

4.9.3. Stairwells. All building stairwells shall be internal to the building or screened by materials with a 50 percent opacity.

4.10 BUILDING UTILITIES

4.10.1. Electrical utilities. All electrical utility equipment, electrical meters, and junction boxes shall be placed within a utility room.

4.10.2. Mechanical and electrical equipment screening. With the exception of ground-mounted transformers that shall meet the requirements of the utility provider, all mechanical equipment, including new and replacement equipment that is free-standing, and wall mounted equipment, shall be fully screened from all views by one of the following:
a. Solid parapets and/or walls that are a minimum of
one foot taller than the mechanical equipment as
measured from the roof deck to the highest point of
the equipment.
b. Louvers equipment boxes that are incorporated into
a wall.
c. Walls that are a minimum 50 percent opaque and
that are set within landscape areas that in plan
provide a landscape border a minimum 18 inches
wide around the perimeter of at least two sides of the
equipment pad.

Window mounted equipment is permitted at existing
buildings that include an addition if not visible from any public street.

The courtyard-facing balconies
in this multifamily development
are shaded by the balconies
immediately above. See ODS 4.9.2.

This project extends a wall surface
and uses landscaping to screen
mechanical equipment.
◄
◄

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CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 37 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

4.11 BUILDING FACADE COLORS

4.11.1. Color palette. Building exteriors shall utilize neutral, earth tone, and/or neutral or earth tone Sonoran Desert regional colors as published by third parties or the City of Palm Desert. To demonstrate compliance with this requirement, applicants shall include samples or printouts of selected exterior colors with their application, provide a key to color use on elevation drawings, and provide third party material and/or color chart(s), brochure(s), web page(s) addresses, or other publication(s) materials that relate the proposed building color(s) to a neutral, earth tone, and/or Sonoran Desert color choice.

4.11.2. Accent colors. A maximum of ten percent of the building facade area, including but not limited to walls, doors, window details, cornices, and belt courses, may be with accent colors not considered a neutral, earth tone, and/or Sonoran Desert color choice.

4.11.3. Prohibited colors. Except as an accent color or a window, trim, fence, or gate color, the use of black color on buildings is prohibited.

4.12 BUILDING WATER DRAINAGE DEVICES

4.12.1. Water drainage devices, multifamily only. At multifamily buildings, gutters, downspouts, and other water
drainage components shall utilize one of the following
design methodologies.
a. Remain an unpainted natural metal material.
b. Be painted the same color of the
immediately-adjoining facade.
c. Not be visible from the exterior of the building walls facing public streets.

4.12.2. Water drainage devices, mixed-use only. At mixed-use buildings, gutters, downspouts, and other water drainage components, with the exception of required overflow devices, shall not be visible from the exterior of the building walls facing public streets.

This multifamily development uses
a variety of earth tone and neutral
colors. See ODS 4.11.1.

Shades of white and brown are used
in this townhome typology. See ODS

4.11.1. ◄
◄
These townhomes use yellow and
orange accent colors to highlight
minor massing elements within the
design. See ODS 4.11.2.
◄

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38 Chapter 4: Building Architecture ODS
City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

AND ENCLOSURES

4.13 BUILDING TRASH/RECYCLING BINS
Project Lot Size Trash/Recycling Bin Requirements
Less than or equal to
7,500 square feet
Trash/recycling bins shall be designated, open-to-thesky enclosures shall be permitted, but no trash/recycling bin or enclosure shall be placed in required setbacks or visible from a public street.

Greater than 7,500
square feet and less
than 22,500 square feet
Trash/recycling bins shall be placed within fully
enclosed structures which may be open to the sky. Trash enclosures may not be visible from a public street, may project into a required side or rear yard setback, but
may not be placed within five feet of a property line or within a setback adjacent to a public street or singlefamily designated lot.

Greater than 22,500
square feet
Trash/recycling bins shall be designated, fully enclosed, may be open to the sky, and shall not be placed within
required setbacks or visible from a public street.

This trash enclosure is located away
from required setbacks and public
streets, and has architectural details
that relate back to the development
it is serving. See ODS 4.13.1.

The buildings of this development
project utilize similar facade
materials and colors. See ODS

4.14.1(b) and 4.14.1(c).

The buildings in this multifamily
project are not identical, but are
similar in proportion and mixand-match balconies and recesses and materials and colors to build
consistency. See ODS 4.14.1(c) and

4.14.1(e).
◄
◄
◄

4.13.1. Trash/recycling bin placement. Trash and recycling bins shall meet the placement requirements correlated to the project’s lot size per the table below.

4.14 BUILDING DESIGN COMPONENTS

4.14.1. Architectural continuity. A development project with multiple buildings shall maintain architectural consistency at all building and accessory building facades or implement
at least three of the following architectural components consistently throughout all buildings and accessory buildings in the project:
a. Consistent use of roof forms and if sloped, roof
materials and coloring at all buildings and
accessory buildings.
b. Consistent use of building overhangs, recesses, and
architectural projections including porches, arcades,
ramadas, galleries and building screening that create
shade at south, east, and west facing facades.
c. Consistent use of facade materials at all buildings and accessory buildings.
d. Consistent use of color at all buildings and
accessory buildings.
e. Consistent use of proportions and details at 60
percent of building openings.
f. Consistent use of sun shading architectural
components at all buildings visible from a
public street.

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CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 39 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

4.14.2. Inclusion of Palm Desert architectural and landscape components. In consideration of the desert landscape,
buildings shall incorporate at least four of the following design components.
a. Buildings oriented on an east-west axis such that the wall area of both the east and west facades is not
more than 60 percent of the area of the area of south
facing walls.
b. Site walls, building massing, and landscape
windbreaks that protect project open spaces from
west to east prevailing summer winds.
c. Site walls, building massing, and landscape
windbreaks that protect project open spaces from
north to south prevailing winds that occur from midNovember through mid-February. d. Covered open-to-the-air arcades, colonnades, galleries, or other permanent coverings or projections that
provide shade at all building walls visible from
public streets.
e. Overhangs or recesses at building entries that are a minimum of four feet in clear depth.
f. Minimum 24-inch deep roof eaves.
g. Use of natural stone or veneer stone at a minimum of 10 percent of the total building wall area.
h. Use of recessed windows at a minimum 60 percent
of openings.
i. Use of shade trees at varying distances apart, but in no case more than 30 feet on center, to shade the
length of east, south, and west facing building walls
visible from a public street.
j. Public street frontages that are a minimum 20 percent greater than the otherwise required frontage, front
yard, and street-facing side yard requirements.

This multifamily project has
exaggerated roof eaves throughout
the design. See ODS 4.14.2(f).
◄
This multifamily project accents the
massing at all corners with a veneer
stone. See ODS 4.14.2(g).
◄
This multifamily project has shade
trees, visible from the public street,
along the project frontage. See ODS

4.14.2(i).
◄

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CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 41 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024
5 PARKING

5.1 Surface Parking Design

5.2 Mechanical Parking

5.3 Parking Shelters

5.4 Parking Garages

5.5 Bicycle Parking
CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 41 The intent of the following parking objective design
standards is to create landscaping, shade, and pedestrian circulation at surface parking lots and architectural continuity between project buildings and parking garages.

OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS
City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

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42 Chapter 5: Parking ODS
City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

5.1 SURFACE PARKING DESIGN

5.1.1. Surface parking visibility. All surface parking lots shall be hidden from the public right-of-way using one of the following techniques.
a. Locating all surface parking lots behind buildings.

Where more than one building is placed on a lot and
the buildings screen the surface parking, no separation between buildings screening the surface parking may
be more than 30 feet wide.
b. Locating all surface parking lots behind a fence or wall that complies with 2.3 Project Fences and Walls.
c. Locating all surface parking lots behind a landscape buffer a minimum of ten feet in depth and a minimum
42 inches in height that creates a vegetation screen
through the use of bushes, hedges, and trees.

5.1.2. Surface parking along side or rear property lines. Surface parking areas adjacent to side or rear property lines shall provide a perimeter landscaped strip at least five feet wide.

5.1.3. Landscape island dimensions. Landscape islands at on-site surface parking, inclusive of the landscape islands that must be adjacent to end parking stalls, shall be no less than nine feet in length and seven feet in width, exclusive of curbs and landings.

5.1.4. End parking stalls, width. End parking stalls shall be increased in City-required width by a minimum of 18 inches.

5.1.5. Landscape islands, end parking stalls. All end parking stalls shall be adjacent to a landscape island.

The length and width of landscape
islands on surface parking lots must
be seven feet excluding curbs and
landings (see ODS 5.1.4) and end
parking stalls must be at least 18
inches wider than the standard stall
width (see ODS 5.1.5).
◄
7’ min
(exclusive of curbs/landings)
9’ min
(exclusive
of curbs/
landings)
City-required width
plus 18” min

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CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 43 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

5.1.6. Landscape islands, surface parking with more than 30 spaces.

For surface parking lots with more than 30 parking spaces, a minimum 10 percent of the area of a surface parking lot shall be landscape islands, achieved by one of the following. a. The use of finger islands at endcaps and a landscape island every ten parking spaces.
b. A minimum five-foot continuous landscape planter
located within the center of parking rows, running
between endcap finger islands.

5.1.7. Canopy trees at on-site surface parking. Projects shall incorporate one canopy tree for every three uncovered
parking spaces and one canopy tree for every eight covered parking spaces.

5.1.8. Canopy tree distribution at on-site surface parking. Canopy trees at surface parking areas shall be uniformly distributed across the surface area of the lot so that no parking space is more than 30 feet from the center of a canopy tree.

5.1.9. Parking space building separation. Parking spaces shall be separated from buildings by a minimum five-foot wide pedestrian sidewalk and a minimum five-foot wide landscape strip, as measured from the curb face.

5.1.10. Pathways, surface lots with more than 50 spaces. For surface parking areas with more than 50 parking spaces, a minimum of one publicly-accessible pathway or sidewalk that provides access across the lot to a public sidewalk is required for each 200 feet of surface parking area fronting a public street.

5.1.11. Pathway enhancements, surface lots with more than 50 spaces. For surface parking areas with more than 50 parking spaces, enhanced or textured paving or striping shall be included where pedestrian crossing occurs.

5.2 MECHANICAL PARKING

5.2.1. Mechanical parking placement. Open-to-the-air mechanical parking spaces shall not be placed within 20 feet of a public street frontage.

5.2.2. Mechanical parking screening. Open-to-the-air mechanical parking spaces placed between 20 to 150 feet from a street frontage shall be minimally screened from the view of
the public street by walls that are a minimum 15 percent open or transparent and no more than 40 percent open
or transparent.

Desert Museum Palo Verde canopy
trees are planted in the landscape
islands of this surface parking lot to
increase shade. See ODS 5.1.8.
◄
The frequency of canopy trees in this
surface parking lot provides more
opportunities for shade. See ODS

5.1.9. ◄
This mechanical parking is placed
behind the building it is serving so
that it is not visible from the public
street frontage. See ODS 5.2.2.
◄
This continuous landscape planter
is located in between parking rows.

See ODS 5.1.7(b).
◄

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44 Chapter 5: Parking ODS
City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

5.2.3. Structures with mechanical parking. The design of fully enclosed buildings or structures that contain mechanical parking shall meet the Building Architecture Objective
Design Standards in Chapter 4 of this policy.

5.3 PARKING SHELTERS

5.3.1. Parking shelter placement. No parking shelter shall be placed within a required setback.

5.3.2. Parking shelter materials and colors. When visible from a public right-of-way, parking shelters shall utilize the same colors and roof materials as the main buildings of a site.

5.3.3. Parking shelter length. No individual parking shelter shall exceed 65 feet in length.

5.4 PARKING GARAGES

5.4.1. Architectural continuity, parking garages. Parking garages and those portions of buildings that incorporate a parking garage occupancy shall be architecturally treated and meet the Building Architecture Objective Design Standards in Chapter 4 of this policy.

5.4.2. Vehicular entry gates. Any vehicular entry gate to a parking structure shall provide a minimum of 20 feet between the gate and the back of the sidewalk to minimize conflicts between sidewalk use by pedestrians and vehicle queuing.

5.4.3. Ground-floor openings at parking garages and utility and mechanical areas. Openings at parking garages and utility and mechanical rooms adjoining public street frontages shall be screened from view by at least one of the following. a. Vertical landscape and/or climbing vines on metal
screens, and/or wires that cover at least 60 percent of the openings of any parking deck, and/or mechanical
or utility room opening.
b. Use of decorative, non-reflective metal grills, glass, or panels with a minimum opacity of 50 percent
that cover at least 60 percent of the openings
of any parking deck, and/or mechanical or utility
room opening.

This covered parking shelter uses
the same orange-red as the main
building facade, seen behind the
shelter.
◄
Vehicles entering this multifamily
building can queue in the covered
passageway and turn right into
the garage, avoiding blocking the
sidewalk. See ODS 5.4.2.
◄
Decorative metal grills screen this
parking opening from view along
the street frontage. See ODS 5.4.3(b).
◄ ◄

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CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 45 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

5.5 BICYCLE PARKING

5.5.1. Short-term bicycle parking. Required bicycle racks for shortterm parking shall be located within 50 feet of at least one public entrance to a multifamily or mixed-use building.

5.5.2. Long-term bicycle parking. Required long-term bicycle parking must be covered and secured and shall be located within 150 feet of at least one entrance to multifamily or mixed-use building.

This multifamily development
provides uncovered bike racks at the
entrance to the building. See ODS

5.5.1. This multifamily building provides
a dedicated indoor bicycle storage
room. See ODS 5.5.2.
◄
◄

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City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024
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CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 47 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024
6 ODS
Multifamily Compliance Checklist
Mixed-Use Compliance Checklist

COMPLIANCE

CHECKLISTS
CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 47 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

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48 Chapter 6: Compliance Checklists
City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024
Multifamily Compliance Checklist
The Objective Design Standards (ODS) assist project applicants and designers to achieve multifamily design objectives. As a project is designed, applicants and designers must utilize the ODS outlined in Chapters 2-5 of the City of Palm Desert Multifamily and Mixed Use Objective Design Standards, as well as the Multifamily Compliance Checklist, to determine compliance in advance of submittal and formal review for compliance by the City.

Applicants must fill out the sections of the following pages and check “compliance” or “not applicable (N/A)” as appropriate. In cases where an explanation is required, describe how the multifamily project complies with the ODS or how the ODS is not applicable to the project. If the applicant requires additional space for any explanation and/or chooses to illustrate compliance to an ODS, attachments may be submitted along with this form. Once the form is completed, it must be submitted to the City along with the application submittal package. The City will fill out the sections designated “City use only” in their review upon the applicant’s submission of this checklist and other application materials.

CITY OF PALM DESERT

PROJECT INFORMATION

CONTACT INFORMATION
Applicant Name:

Please check one. Property Owner
Design Firm/Architect
Representative
Other (please specify):

Engineer
Email:

Phone:

Proposed Project Name:

Date:

CITY USE ONLY

OVERALL COMPLIANCE FINDING
City Comments (Optional): Reviewed by:

YES: NO:

Date:

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CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 49 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

MULTIFAMILY PROJECT SITE DESIGN
New multifamily projects shall meet all of the below Project Site standards per Chapter 2 of the City of Palm Desert Multifamily and Mixed Use Objective Design Standards policy.

CITY USE ONLY

2.1. PROJECT FRONTAGE 2.1. PROJECT FRONTAGE

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

2.1.1. Max. frontage length without break. 30’ wide
open-to-the-sky landscaped open space
separating public-facing street frontages
longer than 450’.

If “Not Applicable” was selected in the above section, provide an explanation for why the ODS does not apply to the proposed project (required).

This comment box may also be used for further explanations of compliance (optional).

City comments (optional).

CITY USE ONLY

2.2. PROJECT ORIENTATION 2.2. PROJECT ORIENTATION

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

2.2.1. Project orientation. Select a minimum of two
of the following:
a. Min. 20’ deep landscaped setback,
parallel to project frontage, with
30’ on-center shade trees within
the first 20’ of depth along public
street frontage.
b. Min. one, 20’ in depth open space,
sized according to the table in
Section 2.2b.
c. Max. 42” fences, walls, and/or
permanent planter boxes to not
exceed 20% of total public street
frontage length.
d. Use of a ground-level design
component listed in Section

2.2d within 10’ of public-streetfacing frontage setback and along min. 20% of the total
public-street-facing frontage.

Applicant comments and/or further explanations of compliance (optional). City comments (optional).

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50 Chapter 6: Compliance Checklists
City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

CITY USE ONLY

2.3. PROJECT FENCES AND WALLS 2.3. PROJECT FENCES AND WALLS

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

2.3.1. Fence and wall placement. Select the
appropriate placement requirement from the
options below.
a. Project lot size < 15,000 SF: no fence,
wall, or gate placed within required
front-yard setback.
b. Project lot size greater than 15,000
SF and less than 1 acre: no fence,
wall, or gate placed within frontage
setback along public streets. Fences,
walls, and gates greater than 42”
and behind frontage setback not to
exceed 60% of frontage length.
c. Project lot size > 1 acre: no fence,
wall, or gate placed within frontage
setback along public streets. Fences,
walls, and gates greater than 42”
and behind frontage setback not to
exceed 80% of frontage length.

2.3.2. Fence and wall modulation. Select one of
the following:
a. Change in material every 150’ of
fence wall.
b. Offset every 18” or pilaster every 150’
of fence wall.

2.3.3. Fence and wall materials. Select fence or wall
material(s) used.
a. Aluminum, painted.
b. Brick.
c. Concrete.
d. Metal tube.
e. Stone, face stone, and/or
veneer stone.
f. Wrought iron.

2.3.4. Rear and interior side yard fences and
walls. Min. 5’ height for all fences and walls
enclosing rear and interior side yards.

If “Not Applicable” was selected in the above section, provide an explanation for why the ODS does not apply to the proposed project (required).

This comment box may also be used for further explanations of compliance (optional).

City comments (optional).

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CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 51 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

CITY USE ONLY

2.4. PROJECT ENTRIES 2.4. PROJECT ENTRIES

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

2.4.1. Publicly visible gate or door. Min. 1 publicly
visible gate or door that provides direct entry
to a building or open space, within 60’ of the
curb of a public street or public vehicular drop
off point.

2.4.2. Number of project entries. Select the
appropriate minimum number of project
entries requirement from the options below.
a. Public street frontage < 150 ft.: min. 1
project entry.
b. Public street frontage greater than
150 ft. and less than 450 ft: min. 2
project entries.
c. Public street frontage > 450 ft: 2
project entries for each 450 of
total length up to a total length of
1,350 feet.

2.4.3. Pedestrian entrances. Min. 1 for each 450’
total frontage along public streets.

Applicant comments and/or further explanations of compliance (optional). City comments (optional).

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52 Chapter 6: Compliance Checklists
City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

CITY USE ONLY

2.5. PROJECT SIDEWALKS AND PATHWAYS 2.5. PROJECT SIDEWALKS

AND PATHWAYS

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

2.5.1. Site connectivity, public sidewalks. All onsite buildings, entries, facilities, amenities, and vehicular and bicycle parking areas are
internally connected by on-site sidewalks and
as-needed pathways.

2.5.2. Site connectivity, public streets. Intersecting
public and private streets, access drives, drive
aisles, alleys, and marked crosswalks link to all
public streets adjoining the project.

2.5.3. Sidewalk width. On-site sidewalks are a min. 5’
in unobstructed width.

2.5.4. Parkways. Min. 5’ width, provided along
at least one side of all on-site sidewalks
and pathways.

2.5.5 Landscape parkways. Min. 5’ width, provided
along both sides of the sidewalk or parkway
if on-site sidewalk or pathways is provided
within a required public street frontage or
setback that is > 20’ in depth.

2.5.6. Landscape parkway with ground-floor
architectural component. Min. 1 parkway
required if at least one of the architectural
components is placed along 60% of the
ground floor building frontage that adjoins
a public street, required front yard, or public
street frontage setback.
a. Stoops
b. Min. 8’-clear depth porches
c. Arcades, galleries, and/or ramadas
d. Min. 8’ depth recesses
e. Min. 30” depth overhangs, trellises,
and/or awnings

2.5.7. Driveway access and sidewalks. Vehicular
driveways that access any public right-of-way
are adjoined by sidewalks with a 4’ wide, curbadjacent landscape area on at least one side of the vehicular access drive.

If “Not Applicable” was selected in the above section, provide an explanation for why the ODS does not apply to the proposed project (required).

This comment box may also be used for further explanations of compliance (optional).

City comments (optional).

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CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 53 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

CITY USE ONLY

2.6. PROJECT CURB CUTS, VEHICULAR 2.6. PROJECT CURB CUTS, VEHICULAR

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

2.6.1. Number of project entries. Select the
appropriate requirement from the
options below.
a. Public street frontage between 50 and
150 ft: max. 1 curb cut.
b. Public street frontage greater than
450 ft: max. 1 curb cut for each 450’
of public street frontage.

2.6.2. Curb cut width. Max. 36’ width curb cut
if public street frontage is less than 450’
in length.

2.6.3. Curb cut medians. If site requires more than a
36’ curb cut, it is divided with a min. 5’ width
median such that each segment of the curb
cut is a max. 36’ in width.

2.6.4. Curb cuts, parking area. Max. 24’ in width if
curb cut leads to a parking area with less than
25 parking spaces.

If “Not Applicable” was selected in the above section, provide an explanation for why the ODS does not apply to the proposed project (required).

This comment box may also be used for further explanations of compliance (optional).

City comments (optional).

CITY USE ONLY

2.7. PROJECT ALLEYS 2.7. PROJECT ALLEYS

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOTAPPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

2.7.1. Alley entry. Projects abutting an ally provide
all vehicular access from the alley.

2.7.2. Alley parkways. If a new alley >30’ in width
is provided, at least 1, min. 5’ landscaped
parkway provided along 70% of the total
length of the alley, exclusive driveway curb
cut lengths, garages, required red curbs for fire
access, and vehicular access aisles.

If “Not Applicable” was selected in the above section, provide an explanation for why the ODS does not apply to the proposed project (required).

This comment box may also be used for further explanations of compliance (optional).

City comments (optional).

Page 789 of 855 ends

54 Chapter 6: Compliance Checklists
City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

MULTIFAMILY LANDSCAPE AND OPEN SPACE DESIGN
New multifamily projects shall meet all of the below Project Landscape and Open Space standards per Chapter 3 of the City of Palm Desert Multifamily and Mixed Use Objective Design Standards policy.

CITY USE ONLY

3.1. SITE LANDSCAPING 3.1. SITE LANDSCAPING

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

3.1.1. Frontages. All frontages adjoining public and
private streets are landscaped.

3.1.2. Setbacks. All front yard, side yard, streetfacing side yard, and rear yard setbacks are landscaped.

Applicant comments and/or further explanations of compliance (optional). City comments (optional).

CITY USE ONLY

3.3. CANOPY TREES 3.3. CANOPY TREES

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

3.3.1. Canopy trees at public street-adjoining
frontages. Min. 1 irrigated, 24” box tree
planted a max. 30’ on center along frontages
adjoining public streets.

3.3.2. Canopy trees at front yards. Where front yard
setback is required, min. 1 irrigated, 24” box
tree planted for each 900 SF of setback area.

3.3.5. Canopy trees selection. Select a min. 3 of the
following species utilized along frontages
adjoining public streets and public right-ofways, with no more than 50% of all selected canopy trees comprising of the same species.
a. ‘Desert Museum’ Palo Verde.

Parkinsonia (Cercidium) x
‘Desert Museum.’
b. Ironwood. Olneya tesota.
c. Palo Brea. Parkinsonia praecox.
d. Sweet Acacia. Acacia smallii.
e. Texas Ebony.

Pithecellobium flexicaule.
f. Thornless Cascalote. Caesalpinia
cacalaco ‘Smoothie.’

CANOPY TREES CONTINUES ON THE NEXT PAGE

Page 790 of 855 ends

CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 55 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

3.3. CANOPY TREES (CONT.) 3.3. CANOPY TREES (CONT.)

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

3.3.5. Canopy tree shade on sidewalks. All canopy
trees planted within required frontages
and front yard setbacks with sidewalks and
pathways cast shade on the sidewalk for a
min. 3 hours a day during the months of June,
July, and August within 5 years of planting.

If “Not Applicable” was selected in the above section, provide an explanation for why the ODS does not apply to the proposed project (required).

This comment box may also be used for further explanations of compliance (optional).

City comments (optional).

CITY USE ONLY

3.4. SPECIMEN TREES 3.4. SPECIMEN TREES

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

3.4.1. Specimen trees at frontage areas. Min. 1
irrigated, 24” box specimen tree planted for
each 900 SF of frontage adjoining a public
street and/or right-of-way.

3.4.2. Specimen trees selection. Select a min. 2 of
the following species, with no more than
50% of all selected specimen trees planted
in required frontages adjoining public streets
and public right-of-ways comprising the
same species.
a. Smoke Tree. Psorothamnus
(Dalea) spinosus.
b. Honey Mesquite. Prosopis glandulosa.

Must be a thornless cultivar inclusive
of Prosopis glandulosa ‘Maverick’ or
Prosopis glandulosa ‘AZT.’
c. Soaptree. Yucca elata.

Applicant comments and/or further explanations of compliance (optional). City comments (optional).

Page 791 of 855 ends

56 Chapter 6: Compliance Checklists
City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

CITY USE ONLY

3.5. SHRUBS AND PERENNIALS 3.5. SHRUBS AND PERENNIALS

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

3.5.1. Shrub and perennial groundcover. Ground
surfaces in required frontages without
inorganic groundcover are covered by live
plant material within 5 years of planting.

3.5.2. Shrub and perennial groundcover selection.

Select min. 5 species from list of droughttolerant shrub and perennial groundcover in ODS 3.5.2., with max. 30% of all live plant
material comprising of the same species and a
min. 3 selected species are woody plants.

3.5.3. Use of thorned, serrated-edged, sharp-toothed,
or sharp-edged plant materials. Planted more
than 2’ from a sidewalk or pathway and more
than 10’ from a children’s play area.

If “Not Applicable” was selected in the above section, provide an explanation for why the ODS does not apply to the proposed project (required).

This comment box may also be used for further explanations of compliance (optional).

City comments (optional).

CITY USE ONLY

3.6. INORGANIC GROUNDCOVER 3.6. INORGANIC GROUNDCOVER

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

3.6.1. Inorganic groundcover. Max. 50% ground
surfaces within required frontages adjoining
public streets and front yard setbacks covered
with gravel, cobble, or boulders.

3.6.2. Gravel and cobble type. Min. 1 type of gravel
and min. 1 type of cobble with max. 50% of all
surfaces comprising the same material.

3.6.3. Groundcover placement. Planted next to and
not within a bed of cobble.

3.6.4. Inorganic groundcover color. Inorganic
material utilized within a required frontage
adjoining a public street or right-of-way shall
be of a color and value that reflects more light
than it absorbs.

Applicant comments and/or further explanations of compliance (optional). City comments (optional).

Page 792 of 855 ends

CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 57 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

CITY USE ONLY

3.7. BOULDERS 3.7. BOULDERS

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

3.7.1. Required boulders. Min. 1 boulder for each
500 SF of continuous area of parkway and
landscaped setback area.

3.7.2. Irregular spacing. Boulders are
spaced irregularly.

3.7.3. Buried below grade. Bottom third of boulders
are buried below grade.

Applicant comments and/or further explanations of compliance (optional). City comments (optional).

CITY USE ONLY

3.8. ON-SITE LIGHTING 3.8. ON-SITE LIGHTING

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

3.8.1. Dark-sky compliant. Exterior lighting is darksky compliant and/or fully shielded.

3.8.2. Fully shielded. Exterior lighting is fully
shielded and arranged so that light source
cannot be viewed directly.

3.8.3. Uplighting. Prohibited, unless used to feature
an architectural or landscape element
pursuant to Section 24.16.020 of the Palm
Desert Municipal Code.

3.8.4. Lighting angle below the horizon. Exterior
lighting restrains light from source to a min.
30° below horizontal plane of light source.

3.8.5. Pedestrian-oriented lighting, location.

Provided along all on-site sidewalks and
pathways and exterior amenity spaces.

3.8.6. Pedestrian oriented lighting, placement.

Spaced a max. 30 lineal feet on center.

3.8.7. Pedestrian-oriented lighting, illumination. Min. 1’ candle on all on-site sidewalks, walkways,
pathways, and paseos.

3.8.8. Stand-alone exterior lighting. Min. 3’ and max.
14’ in height.

Applicant comments and/or further explanations of compliance (optional). City comments (optional).

Page 793 of 855 ends

58 Chapter 6: Compliance Checklists
City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

CITY USE ONLY

3.9. PASSIVE AND ACTIVE AMENITIES 3.9. PASSIVE AND ACTIVE AMENITIES

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

3.9.1. Passive amenities. Select the appropriate
requirement per the options below.
a. Less than 20 DUs: min. 1 required
passive amenity
b. Between 20-50 DUs: min. 2 required
passive amenities
c. Between 51-99 DUs: min. 3 required
passive amenities
d. 100 DUs and greater: min. 4 required
passive amenities

3.9.2. Types of passive amenities. Select from the list below.
a. Gazebo
b. Passive water amenity
c. Picnic shelter
d. Seating area(s) with benches and/
or loose chairs a min. 12’ wide in
one dimension and 144 SD in area
per below:
i. Less than 20 DUs: 1 required
seating area
ii. Between 20-50 DUs: 2 required
seating areas
iii. Between 51-99 DUs: 3 required
seating areas
iv. 100 DUs and greater: 4 required
seating areas
e. Seating walls a min. 8’ in length
per below:
i. Less than 20 DUs: 1 required
seating wall
ii. Between 20-50 DUs: 2 required
seating walls
iii. Between 51-99 DUs: 3 required
seating walls
iv. 100 DUs and greater: 4 required
seating walls

PASSIVE AND ACTIVE AMENITIES CONTINUES ON THE NEXT PAGE

Page 794 of 855 ends

CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 59 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

3.9. PASSIVE AND ACTIVE AMENITIES (CONT.) 3.9. PASSIVE AND ACTIVE AMENITIES (CONT.)

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

3.9.3. Active amenities. Select the appropriate
requirement per the options below.
a. Fewer than 20 DUs: min. 2
active amenities
b. Between 20-55 DUs: min. 3
active amenities
c. Between 51-99 DUs: min. 4
active amenities
d. Between 101-149 DUs: min. 5
active amenities
e. 150 DUs and greater: min. 6 plus one
additional active amenity for each
additional 100 units

3.9.4. Types of passive amenities. Select from the list below, one of which must be an active water
amenity.
a. Active water amenity
b. Barbecue
c. Clubhouse and/or recreation
room that opens onto an outdoor
amenity area
d. Community garden
e. Court game facility
f. Exercise area and/or par course
g. Jogging and/or par course
h. Pet area and/or run and/or wash
i. Play area, children’s
Applicant comments and/or further explanations of compliance (optional). City comments (optional).

Page 795 of 855 ends

60 Chapter 6: Compliance Checklists
City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

MULTIFAMILY BUILDING ARCHITECTURE DESIGN
New multifamily projects shall meet all of the below Building Architecture standards per Chapter 4 of the City of Palm Desert Multifamily and Mixed Use Objective Design Standards policy.

CITY USE ONLY

4.1. BUILDING HEIGHT 4.1. BUILDING HEIGHT

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

4.1.1. Building height measurement along public
streets. Max. building height within 150’ of
the curb of a public street is established by
a vertical measurement from the average
elevation of the street curb adjacent to the
property to the highest point of the structure.

4.1.2. Building height measurement adjoining a
residential zoned property. Max. building
height within 50’ of a residential zoned
property line is established by a vertical
measurement from the elevation of the
finished grade along the property line of the
residential zoned property or the finished
grade along the property line of the project
site, whichever is lower in elevation, to the
highest point of the roof of the structure.

4.1.3. Transitional height abutting a single-family
zoned property. If building abuts or is across
a right-of-way from a single-family zoned
property, the allowed building height is
modulated by an inward-leaning 45° angled
plane inclined towards the building as
measured from a horizontal plane originating
15’ above grade at the abutting property line.

4.1.4. Maximum building height at public-streetfacing frontages. Select the appropriate requirement per options below.
a. Building distance from street-facing
setback is < 30 ft: max. building
height is 24’ and 2-stories with
flat roof
b. Building distance from street-facing
setback is > 30 ft: max. building
height per Municipal Code
If “Not Applicable” was selected in the above section, provide an explanation for why the ODS does not apply to the proposed project (required).

This comment box may also be used for further explanations of compliance (optional).

City comments (optional).

Page 796 of 855 ends

CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 61 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

CITY USE ONLY

4.2. BUILDING LENGTH 4.2. BUILDING LENGTH

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

4.2.1. Building wall, maximum length. Max. 250’
in length.

4.2.2. Building breaks, open to the sky. Min. 30’
open-to-the-sky separation provided when
building breaks are required, programmed
as either public/private rights-of-way, courts,
passageways, paseos, and/or other active and/
or passive landscaped open spaces.

4.2.3. Building breaks with vehicular street. Min.
5’ sidewalk and min. 5’ adjoining parkway
if building break utilizes a public or private
vehicular street.

If “Not Applicable” was selected in the above section, provide an explanation for why the ODS does not apply to the proposed project (required).

This comment box may also be used for further explanations of compliance (optional).

City comments (optional).

Page 797 of 855 ends

62 Chapter 6: Compliance Checklists
City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

CITY USE ONLY

4.3. BUILDING MODULATION 4.3. BUILDING MODULATION

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

4.3.1. Building modulation. Select at least four of
the following.
a. Min. 6’ clear width ground-level
arcades, open-to-the-air galleries,
colonnades, porches, recesses,
ramadas, and trellis structures placed
along a min. 80% ground floor length
of two building faces.
b. Min. 8’ length and min. 3’ depth
open-to-the-sky recesses for each 50’
of building wall length.
c. Major and minor massing, with wall
area of the minor massing a max.
40% of total wall area.
d. Min. 6’ clear width setback of top
floor along at least 2 sides of
the building.
e. Sun-screening elements on windows,
doors, and openings at south- and
west-facing building walls.
f. Min. 15% of building
walls are covered and
open-to-the-air balconies.
g. Roof overhangs or projections that
provide a min. 8’ of vertical shaded
wall at noon on the summer solstice.
h. Vertical and irrigated landscaping
located within 5’ of a wall, screens
min. 2 walls and 30% of structure
perimeter, and min. 20’ height after 5
years of growth.
i. Min. 2 wall materials, first material
a max. 30% of total wall area and
second material a max. 70% of total
wall area.
j. Building footprint immediately below
top floor is max. 80% of the building
footprint immediately below.
k. Min. 1 tower element that is max.
half of the floor-to-floor height
of the tallest building story, and
recessed or projected from the rest
of the building mass by a min. 2’.

BUILDING MODULATION CONTINUES ON THE NEXT PAGE

Page 798 of 855 ends

CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 63 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024
BUILDING MODULATION (CONT.) BUILDING MODULATION (CONT.)

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

4.3.2. Vehicle entrances. If vehicle entries are
incorporated into a building wall facing
a public street, select at least two of
the following.
a. Vehicle entrance set back a min.
20’ from the back of sidewalk or
required setback, whichever results
in the furthest distance from the
public street.
b. Where a pedestrian entrance is
provided adjacent to the garage
opening, a min. 5’ wide sidewalk
leading to the public street
and sidewalk.
c. Min. one, 5’ width landscaped area
adjoining the vehicle access drive
and leading from the public street to
the garage entrance.

4.3.3. Upper story floor area limit. Top story gross
area of buildings are a max. 80% of the floor
immediately below.

If “Not Applicable” was selected in the above section, provide an explanation for why the ODS does not apply to the proposed project (required).

This comment box may also be used for further explanations of compliance (optional).

City comments (optional).

Page 799 of 855 ends

64 Chapter 6: Compliance Checklists
City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

CITY USE ONLY

4.4. BUILDING ROOFS 4.4. BUILDING ROOFS

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOTAPPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

4.4.1. Roof types. Select from the options below.
a. Butterfly roof
b. Clerestory roof
c. Conical roof
d. Cross-hipped roof
e. Curved/barrel vaulted roof
f. Dome roof
g. Flat roof
h. Gable roof
i. Hexagonal roof
j. Hip and valley roof
k. Intersecting gable roof
l. Hip roof
m. M-shaped roof
n. Monitor roof
o. Pyramid hip roof
p. Sawtooth roof
q. Skillion roof
r. Shed roof

4.4.2. Roof slopes. Pitch of sloped roofs, other than
conical, curved/barrel vaulted, or dome roofs,
is min. 2:12 and max. 4:12.

4.4.3. Sloped roof materials. Select one.
a. Concrete or lightweight concrete tile.
b. Metal that is non-reflective.
c. Solar panel tiles, solar roof tiles, or
solar shingles.
d. Natural tone or slate tile.
e. Terracotta tile or simulated
terracotta tile.

4.4.4. Prohibited roof materials. Asphalt-shingle
roofs, glass roofs or skylights comprising of
more than 10% of the total gross area of the
floor below, and corrugated metal roofing are
not utilized in the project.

4.4.5. Flat roof modulation. Modulate the roof
vertically a min. 42” at least once every 50’.

BUILDING ROOFS CONTINUES ON THE NEXT PAGE

Page 800 of 855 ends

CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 65 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

4.4. BUILDING ROOFS (CONT.) 4.4. BUILDING ROOFS (CONT.)

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

4.4.6. Greenhouses. Exempt from roof type, slope,
modulation, and materials requirements if
total floor area of the greenhouse is < 10% of
the total gross floor area of the building.

4.4.7. Parapet return. Parapets that extend beyond
the wall plane must return and extend a min.
6’ past the wall plane and inwards towards
the building.

If “Not Applicable” was selected in the above section, provide an explanation for why the ODS does not apply to the proposed project (required).

This comment box may also be used for further explanations of compliance (optional).

City comments (optional).

CITY USE ONLY

4.5. BUILDING MATERIALS 4.5. BUILDING MATERIALS

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

4.5.1. Building wall materials. Select at least two of
the following.
a. Cementitious or acrylic stucco, or an
exterior insulating and finish system
with a cementitious finish.
b. 2 stucco textures. If a float finish
is utilized for one of the stucco
textures, the second stucco texture
is a float or dash finish stucco and
utilized for a min. 10% of the total
wall area.
c. 2 stucco colors with min. 1 of the
stucco colors utilized at a min. 10%
of the total wall area.
d. Non-reflective metal panels.
e. Natural stone or manufactured stone
veneer at a min. 10% of the total
wall area.
f. Terra cotta tile and/or rain screens.
g. Colored precision block, glazed block,
face brick, face stone, split face block,
shot blast block, or slump stone at a
min. 10% of the total wall area.

BUILDING MATERIALS CONTINUES ON THE NEXT PAGE

Page 801 of 855 ends

66 Chapter 6: Compliance Checklists
City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

CITY USE ONLY

4.6. BUILDING OPENINGS 4.6. BUILDING OPENINGS

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

4.6.1. Ground-level architectural component. Min.
6’ clear depth and min. 7’ height along a min.
30% of the building length.

4.6.2. Upper-level glazing. Min. 15% and max.
30% transparent glazing and/or openings at
building walls above the ground level.

4.6.3. Openings. Min. 15% and max. 40% of total
wall area above the first level.

Applicant comments and/or further explanations of compliance (optional). City comments (optional).

4.5. BUILDING MATERIALS (CONT.) 4.5. BUILDING MATERIALS (CONT.)

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOTAPPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

4.5.2. Wall material transitions. Select at least
one of the following methodologies when
transitioning between different materials
and colors.
a. An inside corner where
planes intersect.
b. A reveal, projecting band, and/or
planar offset to mark the transition
between the base, middle, and top of
the building.
c. Use of a building detail and/or
habitable or decorative projections.
d. Utilization of recesses or projections
at windows a min. 3” in depth at all
windows and openings.
e. An offset in a plane where the
material transition or color occurs
with a min. 5” depth.

4.5.3. Prohibited wall materials. Project is not a
100% glass building.

Applicant comments and/or further explanations of compliance (optional). City comments (optional).

Page 802 of 855 ends

CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 67 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

CITY USE ONLY

4.8. BUILDING WINDOWS 4.8. BUILDING WINDOWS

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

4.8.1. Window and door details. Select at least two
of the following.
a. 3 distinct window sizes.
b. Shading devices that create a
distinct shadow line at a min. 60%
of openings.
c. Recesses or projections a min. 3” in
depth at a min. 60% of all openings.
d. Min. 4”-width trim around opening
that creates a projection or recess no
less than 2” in depth.
e. Use of metal-clad, thermally-broken
metal or steel, and/or wood windows
or doors at all openings.
f. Exterior shades.

4.8.2. Windows, storage, utilities, and screening.

Interior or exterior screening for windows
that open onto a utility or storage use
or occupancy.

If “Not Applicable” was selected in the above section, provide an explanation for why the ODS does not apply to the proposed project (required).

This comment box may also be used for further explanations of compliance (optional).

City comments (optional).

CITY USE ONLY

4.9. BUILDING BALCONIES AND STAIRWELLS 4.9. BUILDING BALCONIES

AND STAIRWELLS

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

4.9.1. Balcony depth. Min. 6’ in clear depth.

4.9.2. Balcony design. Recessed or shaded by
balconies or roof projections immediately
above and/or by min. 4’ deep awnings,
canopies, ramadas, recesses, and/or trellises.

4.9.3. Stairwells. Internal to the building, screened
by materials with a 50% opacity.

If “Not Applicable” was selected in the above section, provide an explanation for why the ODS does not apply to the proposed project (required).

This comment box may also be used for further explanations of compliance (optional).

City comments (optional).

Page 803 of 855 ends

68 Chapter 6: Compliance Checklists
City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

CITY USE ONLY

4.10. BUILDING UTILITIES 4.10. BUILDING UTILITIES

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

4.10.1. Electrical utilities. Electrical utility equipment, electrical meters, and junction boxes placed
within a utility room.

4.10.2. Mechanical and electrical equipment
screening. Except for ground-mounted
transformers, all mechanical equipment
is fully screened from all views by one of
the following:
a. Solid parapets and/or walls
that are a min. 1’ taller than the
mechanical equipment.
b. Louvers equipment boxes
incorporated into a wall.
c. Min. 50% opaque walls that are set
within landscape areas, that in plan
provide a min. 18” wide landscape
border around the perimeter of at
least 2 sides of the equipment pad.

Applicant comments and/or further explanations of compliance (optional). City comments (optional).

CITY USE ONLY

4.11. BUILDING FACADE COLORS 4.11. BUILDING FACADE COLORS

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

4.11.1. Color palette. Neutral, earth tone, and/or
neutral or earth tone Sonoran Desert regional
colors, samples or printouts of which attached
to the application and key to color use on
elevation drawings.

4.11.2. Accent colors. Max. 10% building facade may
be a color not considered neutral, earth tone,
and/or Sonoran Desert color choice.

4.11.3. Prohibited colors. Black is only used as an
accent color or a window, trim, fence, or
gate color.

Applicant comments and/or further explanations of compliance (optional). City comments (optional).

Page 804 of 855 ends

CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 69 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

CITY USE ONLY

4.12. BUILDING WATER DRAINAGE DEVICES 4.12. BUILDING WATER

DRAINAGE DEVICES

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

4.12.1. Water drainage devices. Gutters, downspouts,
and other water drainage components are not
visible from the exterior building walls facing
public streets, be an unpainted neutral metal
material, or be pained the same color of the
immediately-adjoining facade.

Applicant comments and/or further explanations of compliance (optional). City comments (optional).

CITY USE ONLY

4.13. BUILDING TRASH/RECYCLING BINS AND ENCLOSURES 4.13. BUILDING TRASH/RECYCLING BINS

AND ENCLOSURES

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

4.13.1. Trash/recycling bin placement. Select the
appropriate requirement per options below.
a. Lots < 7,500 SF: trash/recycling bins
are designated, open-to-the-sky
enclosures permitted, but no trash/
recycling bin or enclosure placed in
required setbacks or visible from the
public street.
b. Lots 22,500 SF > 7,500 SF: trash/
recycling bins placed within fully
enclosed structures that may be
open to the sky, are not visible from
a public street, may project into a
required side or rear yard setback
but not placed within 5’ of a property
line or within a setback adjacent to a
public street or single-family lot.
c. Lots > 22,500 SF: trash/recycling bins
are designated, fully enclosed, may
be open to the sky, but not placed
within required setbacks or visible
from a public street.

Applicant comments and/or further explanations of compliance (optional). City comments (optional).

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CITY USE ONLY

4.14. BUILDING DESIGN COMPONENTS 4.14. BUILDING DESIGN COMPONENTS

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

4.14.1. Architectural continuity. Development projects
with multiple buildings maintain architectural
consistency through at least three of
the following.
a. Consistent use of roof forms and if
sloped, roof materials and coloring at
all buildings and accessory buildings.
b. Consistent use of building overhangs,
recesses, and architectural
projections including porches,
arcades, ramadas, galleries and
building screening that create
shade at south, east, and west
facing facades.
c. Consistent use of facade materials at
all buildings and accessory buildings.
d. Consistent use of color at all
buildings and accessory buildings.
e. Consistent use of proportions
and details at min. 60% of
building openings.
f. Consistent use of sun shading
architectural components at all
buildings visible from a public street.

BUILDING DESIGN COMPONENTS CONTINUES ON THE NEXT PAGE

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CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 71 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

CITY USE ONLY

4.14. BUILDING DESIGN COMPONENTS (CONT.) 4.14. BUILDING DESIGN COMPONENTS (CONT.)

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

4.14.2. Inclusion of Palm Desert architectural and
landscape components. Select at least four of
the following.
a. Buildings oriented on an east-west
axis such that the wall area of both
the east and west facades is a max.
60% of the area of the area of south
facing walls.
b. Site walls, building massing, and
landscape windbreaks that protect
project open spaces from west to
east prevailing summer winds.
c. Site walls, building massing,
and landscape windbreaks that
protect project open spaces from
north to south prevailing winds
that occur from mid-November
through mid-February.
d. Covered open-to-the-air arcades,
colonnades, galleries, or other
permanent coverings or projections
that provide shade at all building
walls visible from public streets.
e. Overhangs or recesses at building
entries that are a min. 4’ in
clear depth.
f. Min. 24” deep roof eaves.
g. Use of natural stone or veneer stone
at a min. 10% the total building
wall area.
h. Use of recessed windows at a min.
60% of openings.
i. Use of shade trees at varying
distances apart, but in no case more
than 30’ on center, to shade the
length of east-, south-, and westfacing building walls visible from a public street.
j. Public street frontages that are a
min. 20% greater than the otherwise
required frontage, front yard, and
street-facing side yard requirements.

Applicant comments and/or further explanations of compliance (optional). City comments (optional).

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72 Chapter 6: Compliance Checklists
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MULTIFAMILY PARKING DESIGN
New multifamily projects shall meet all of the below Parking standards per Chapter 5 of the City of Palm Desert Multifamily and Mixed Use Objective Design Standards policy.

CITY USE ONLY

5.1. SURFACE PARKING DESIGN 5.1. SURFACE PARKING DESIGN

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

5.1.1. Surface parking visibility. Select one of the
following.
a. All surface parking lots are behind
buildings. When more than 1
building is placed on a lot and
the buildings screen the surface
parking, a max. 30’ wide separation
between buildings screening the
surface parking.
b. All surface parking lots behind a
fence or wall.
c. All surface lots behind a min.
10’ depth and min. 42” in height
landscape buffer using bushes,
hedges, and trees.

5.1.2. Surface parking along side or rear property
lines. Min. 5’ width perimeter landscape strip
along surface parking areas adjacent to side or
rear property lines.

5.1.3. Landscape island dimensions. Min. 9’ length
and 7’ width, exclusive of curbs and landings.

5.1.4. End parking stalls, width. Increased in Cityrequired width by min. 18”.

5.1.5. Landscape islands, end parking stalls.

All end parking stalls are adjacent to a
landscaped island.

5.1.6. Landscape islands, surface parking with more
than 30 spaces. Min. 10% of lot is landscape
islands by one of the following.
a. Use of finger islands at endcaps
and a landscape island every 10
parking spaces.
b. Min. 5’ continuous landscape planter
located within the center of parking
rows, running between endcap
fingers and islands.

5.1.7. Canopy trees at on-site surface parking. Min.
1 canopy tree for every 3 uncovered parking
spaces and 1 canopy tree for every 8 covered
parking spaces.

SURFACE PARKING DESIGN CONTINUES ON THE NEXT PAGE

Page 808 of 855 ends

CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 73 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

5.1. SURFACE PARKING DESIGN (CONT.) 5.1. SURFACE PARKING DESIGN (CONT.)

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

5.1.8. Canopy tree distribution at on-site surface
parking. Uniformly distributed across surface
are of lot so that no parking space is more
than 30’ from the center of a canopy tree.

5.1.9. Parking space building separation. Min.
5’ pedestrian sidewalk and min. 5’ wide
landscape strip measured from the curb face
separating parking spaces from buildings

5.1.10. Pathways, surface lots with more than 50
spaces. Min. 1 publicly-accessible pathway or
sidewalk that provides access across the lot
to a public sidewalk for each 200’ of surface
parking area fronting a public street.

5.1.11. Pathway enhancements, surface lots with
more than 50 spaces. Enhanced or textured
paving or striping included where pedestrian
crossing occurs.

If “Not Applicable” was selected in the above section, provide an explanation for why the ODS does not apply to the proposed project (required).

This comment box may also be used for further explanations of compliance (optional).

City comments (optional).

CITY USE ONLY

5.2. MECHANICAL PARKING 5.2. MECHANICAL PARKING

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

5.2.1. Mechanical parking placement. Open-to-theair mechanical parking placed more than 20’ from a public street frontage.

5.2.2. Mechanical parking screening. Open-to-the-air
mechanical parking spaces placed between
20’-150’ from a street frontage are minimally
screened from view of the public street by
walls that are a min. 15% open/transparent
and max. 40% open/transparent.

5.2.3. Structures with mechanical parking. Fully
enclosed buildings with mechanical parking
meet the Building Architecture ODS in Chapter
4 of the Multifamily and Mixed-Use Objective
Design Standards policy.

If “Not Applicable” was selected in the above section, provide an explanation for why the ODS does not apply to the proposed project (required).

This comment box may also be used for further explanations of compliance (optional).

City comments (optional).

Page 809 of 855 ends

74 Chapter 6: Compliance Checklists
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CITY USE ONLY

5.3. PARKING SHELTERS 5.3. PARKING SHELTERS

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

5.3.1. Parking shelter placement. No parking shelters
within required setbacks.

5.3.2. Parking shelter materials and colors. When
visible from a public right-of-way, parking
shelters are the same colors and roof
materials as the main buildings of a site.

5.3.3. Parking shelter length. Max. 65’ in length.

If “Not Applicable” was selected in the above section, provide an explanation for why the ODS does not apply to the proposed project (required).

This comment box may also be used for further explanations of compliance (optional).

City comments (optional).

CITY USE ONLY

5.4. PARKING GARAGES 5.4. PARKING GARAGES

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

5.4.1. Architectural continuity, parking garages.

Parking garages are architecturally treated
and meet the Building Architecture ODS in
Chapter 4 of the Multifamily and Mixed-Use
Objective Design Standards policy.

5.4.2. Vehicular entry gates. Min. 20’ between gate
and back of the sidewalk.

5.4.3. Ground-floor openings at parking garages and
utility and mechanical areas. Screen parking
garages and utility/mechanical room openings
from public street frontages with one of
the following.
a. Vertical landscape and/or climbing
vines on metal screens, and/or
wires that cover a min. 60% of
the openings.
b. Decorative, non-reflective metal
grills, glass, or panels with a min.
50% opacity that covers a min. 60%
of the openings.

If “Not Applicable” was selected in the above section, provide an explanation for why the ODS does not apply to the proposed project (required).

This comment box may also be used for further explanations of compliance (optional).

City comments (optional).

Page 810 of 855 ends

CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 75 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

CITY USE ONLY

5.5. BICYCLE PARKING 5.5. BICYCLE PARKING

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

5.5.1. Short-term bicycle parking. Required bicycle
racks located within 50’ of at least 1 public
building entrance.

5.5.2. Long-term bicycle parking. Required bicycle
racks are covered and secured, located within
150’ of at least one building entrance.

If “Not Applicable” was selected in the above section, provide an explanation for why the ODS does not apply to the proposed project (required).

This comment box may also be used for further explanations of compliance (optional).

City comments (optional).

CITY USE ONLY

FINAL APPLICANT COMMENTS (OPTIONAL) FINAL CITY COMMENTS (OPTIONAL)

Page 811 of 855 ends

76 Chapter 6: Compliance Checklists
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Mixed-Use Compliance Checklist
The Objective Design Standards (ODS) assist project applicants and designers to achieve mixed-use design objectives. As a project is designed, applicants and designers must utilize the ODS outlined in Chapters 2-5 of the City of Palm Desert Multifamily and Mixed Use Objective Design Standards, as well as the Mixed-Use Compliance Checklist, to determine compliance in advance of submittal and formal review for compliance by the City.

Applicants must fill out the sections of the following pages and check “compliance” or “not applicable (N/A)” as appropriate. In cases where an explanation is required, describe how the mixed-use project complies with the ODS or how the ODS is not applicable to the project. If the applicant requires additional space for any explanation and/or chooses to illustrate compliance to an ODS, attachments may be submitted along with this form. Once the form is completed, it must be submitted to the City along with the application submittal package. The City will fill out the sections designated “City use only” in their review upon the applicant’s submission of this checklist and other application materials.

CITY OF PALM DESERT

PROJECT INFORMATION

CONTACT INFORMATION
Applicant Name:

Please check one. Property Owner
Design Firm/Architect
Representative
Other (please specify):

Engineer
Email:

Phone:

Proposed Project Name:

Date:

CITY USE ONLY

OVERALL COMPLIANCE FINDING
City Comments (Optional): Reviewed by:

YES: NO:

Date:

Page 812 of 855 ends

CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 77 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

MIXED-USE PROJECT SITE DESIGN
New mixed-use projects shall meet all of the below Project Site standards per Chapter 2 of the City of Palm Desert Multifamily and Mixed Use Objective Design Standards policy.

CITY USE ONLY

2.1 PROJECT FRONTAGE 2.1 PROJECT FRONTAGE

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

2.1.1. Max. frontage length without break. 30’ wide
open-to-the-sky landscaped open space
separating public-facing street frontages
longer than 450’.

If “Not Applicable” was selected in the above section, provide an explanation for why the ODS does not apply to the proposed project (required).

This comment box may also be used for further explanations of compliance (optional).

City comments (optional).

CITY USE ONLY

2.2 PROJECT ORIENTATION 2.2 PROJECT ORIENTATION

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

2.2d within 10’ of public-streetfacing frontage setback and along min. 20% of the total
public-street-facing frontage.

Applicant comments and/or further explanations of compliance (optional). City comments (optional).

Page 813 of 855 ends

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CITY USE ONLY

2.3 PROJECT FENCES AND WALLS 2.3 PROJECT FENCES AND WALLS

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

2.3.2. Fence and wall modulation. Select one of
the following:
a. Change in material every 150’ of
fence wall.
b. Offset every 18” or pilaster every 150’
of fence wall.

2.3.3. Fence and wall materials. Select fence or wall
material(s) used.
a. Aluminum, painted.
b. Brick.
c. Concrete.
d. Metal tube.
e. Stone, face stone, and/or
veneer stone.
f. Wrought iron.

2.3.4. Rear and interior side yard fences and
walls. Min. 5’ height for all fences and walls
enclosing rear and interior side yards.

If “Not Applicable” was selected in the above section, provide an explanation for why the ODS does not apply to the proposed project (required).

This comment box may also be used for further explanations of compliance (optional).

City comments (optional).

Page 814 of 855 ends

CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 79 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

CITY USE ONLY

2.4 PROJECT ENTRIES 2.4 PROJECT ENTRIES

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

2.4.3. Pedestrian entrances. Min. 1 for each 450’
total frontage along public streets.

Applicant comments and/or further explanations of compliance (optional). City comments (optional).

Page 815 of 855 ends

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CITY USE ONLY

2.5 PROJECT SIDEWALKS AND PATHWAYS 2.5 PROJECT SIDEWALKS

AND PATHWAYS

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

2.5.2. Site connectivity, public streets. Intersecting
public and private streets, access drives, drive
aisles, alleys, and marked crosswalks link to all
public streets adjoining the project.

2.5.3. Sidewalk width. On-site sidewalks are a min. 5’
in unobstructed width.

2.5.4. Parkways. Min. 5’ width, provided along
at least one side of all on-site sidewalks
and pathways.

If “Not Applicable” was selected in the above section, provide an explanation for why the ODS does not apply to the proposed project (required).

This comment box may also be used for further explanations of compliance (optional).

City comments (optional).

Page 816 of 855 ends

CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 81 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

CITY USE ONLY

2.6 PROJECT CURB CUTS, VEHICULAR 2.6 PROJECT CURB CUTS, VEHICULAR

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

2.6.2. Curb cut width. Max. 36’ width curb cut
if public street frontage is less than 450’
in length.

2.6.3. Curb cut medians. If site requires more than a
36’ curb cut, it is divided with a min. 5’ width
median such that each segment of the curb
cut is a max. 36’ in width.

2.6.4. Curb cuts, parking area. Max. 24’ in width if
curb cut leads to a parking area with less than
25 parking spaces.

If “Not Applicable” was selected in the above section, provide an explanation for why the ODS does not apply to the proposed project (required).

This comment box may also be used for further explanations of compliance (optional).

City comments (optional).

CITY USE ONLY

2.7 PROJECT ALLEYS 2.7 PROJECT ALLEYS

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

2.7.1. Alley entry. Projects abutting an ally provide
all vehicular access from the alley.

If “Not Applicable” was selected in the above section, provide an explanation for why the ODS does not apply to the proposed project (required).

This comment box may also be used for further explanations of compliance (optional).

City comments (optional).

Page 817 of 855 ends

82 Chapter 6: Compliance Checklists
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MIXED-USE LANDSCAPE AND OPEN SPACE DESIGN
New mixed-use projects shall meet all of the below Project Landscape and Open Space standards per Chapter 3 of the City of Palm Desert Multifamily and Mixed Use Objective Design Standards policy.

CITY USE ONLY

3.1. SITE LANDSCAPING 3.1. SITE LANDSCAPING

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

3.1.1. Frontages. All frontages adjoining public and
private streets are landscaped.

3.1.2. Setbacks. All front yard, side yard, streetfacing side yard, and rear yard setbacks are landscaped.

Applicant comments and/or further explanations of compliance (optional). City comments (optional).

CITY USE ONLY

3.3. CANOPY TREES 3.3. CANOPY TREES

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

3.3.1. Canopy trees at public street-adjoining
frontages. Min. 1 irrigated, 24” box tree
planted a max. 30’ on center along frontages
adjoining public streets.

3.3.2. Canopy trees at front yards. Where front yard
setback is required, min. 1 irrigated, 24” box
tree planted for each 900 SF of setback area.

Parkinsonia (Cercidium) x
‘Desert Museum.’
b. Ironwood. Olneya tesota.
c. Palo Brea. Parkinsonia praecox.
d. Sweet Acacia. Acacia smallii.
e. Texas Ebony.

Pithecellobium flexicaule.
f. Thornless Cascalote. Caesalpinia
cacalaco ‘Smoothie.’

CANOPY TREES CONTINUES ON THE NEXT PAGE

Page 818 of 855 ends

CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 83 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

3.3. CANOPY TREES (CONT.) 3.3. CANOPY TREES (CONT.)

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

If “Not Applicable” was selected in the above section, provide an explanation for why the ODS does not apply to the proposed project (required).

This comment box may also be used for further explanations of compliance (optional).

City comments (optional).

CITY USE ONLY

3.4. SPECIMEN TREES 3.4. SPECIMEN TREES

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

3.4.1. Specimen trees at frontage areas. Min. 1
irrigated, 24” box specimen tree planted for
each 900 SF of frontage adjoining a public
street and/or right-of-way.

Must be a thornless cultivar inclusive
of Prosopis glandulosa ‘Maverick’ or
Prosopis glandulosa ‘AZT.’
c. Soaptree. Yucca elata.

Applicant comments and/or further explanations of compliance (optional). City comments (optional).

Page 819 of 855 ends

84 Chapter 6: Compliance Checklists
City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

CITY USE ONLY

3.5. SHRUBS AND PERENNIALS 3.5. SHRUBS AND PERENNIALS

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

3.5.1. Shrub and perennial groundcover. Ground
surfaces in required frontages without
inorganic groundcover are covered by live
plant material within 5 years of planting.

3.5.2. Shrub and perennial groundcover selection.

3.5.3. Use of thorned, serrated-edged, sharp-toothed,
or sharp-edged plant materials. Planted more
than 2’ from a sidewalk or pathway and more
than 10’ from a children’s play area.

If “Not Applicable” was selected in the above section, provide an explanation for why the ODS does not apply to the proposed project (required).

This comment box may also be used for further explanations of compliance (optional).

City comments (optional).

CITY USE ONLY

3.6. INORGANIC GROUNDCOVER 3.6. INORGANIC GROUNDCOVER

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

3.6.1. Inorganic groundcover. Max. 50% ground
surfaces within required frontages adjoining
public streets and front yard setbacks covered
with gravel, cobble, or boulders.

3.6.2. Gravel and cobble type. Min. 1 type of gravel
and min. 1 type of cobble with max. 50% of all
surfaces comprising the same material.

3.6.3. Groundcover placement. Planted next to and
not within a bed of cobble.

Applicant comments and/or further explanations of compliance (optional). City comments (optional).

Page 820 of 855 ends

CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 85 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

CITY USE ONLY

3.7. BOULDERS 3.7. BOULDERS

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

3.7.1. Required boulders. Min. 1 boulder for each
500 SF of continuous area of parkway and
landscaped setback area.

3.7.2. Irregular spacing. Boulders are
spaced irregularly.

3.7.3. Buried below grade. Bottom third of boulders
are buried below grade.

Applicant comments and/or further explanations of compliance (optional). City comments (optional).

CITY USE ONLY

3.8. ON-SITE LIGHTING 3.8. ON-SITE LIGHTING

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

3.8.1. Dark-sky compliant. Exterior lighting is darksky compliant and/or fully shielded.

3.8.2. Fully shielded. Exterior lighting is fully
shielded and arranged so that light source
cannot be viewed directly.

3.8.3. Uplighting. Prohibited, unless used to feature
an architectural or landscape element
pursuant to Section 24.16.020 of the Palm
Desert Municipal Code.

3.8.4. Lighting angle below the horizon. Exterior
lighting restrains light from source to a min.
30° below horizontal plane of light source.

3.8.5. Pedestrian-oriented lighting, location.

Provided along all on-site sidewalks and
pathways and exterior amenity spaces.

3.8.6. Pedestrian oriented lighting, placement.

Spaced a max. 30 lineal feet on center.

3.8.7. Pedestrian-oriented lighting, illumination. Min. 1’ candle on all on-site sidewalks, walkways,
pathways, and paseos.

3.8.8. Stand-alone exterior lighting. Min. 3’ and max.
14’ in height.

Applicant comments and/or further explanations of compliance (optional). City comments (optional).

Page 821 of 855 ends

86 Chapter 6: Compliance Checklists
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CITY USE ONLY

3.9. PASSIVE AND ACTIVE AMENITIES 3.9. PASSIVE AND ACTIVE AMENITIES

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOTAPPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

PASSIVE AND ACTIVE AMENITIES CONTINUES ON THE NEXT PAGE

Page 822 of 855 ends

CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 87 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

3.9. PASSIVE AND ACTIVE AMENITIES (CONT.) 3.9. PASSIVE AND ACTIVE AMENITIES (CONT.)

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOTAPPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

3.9.3. Active amenities. Select the appropriate
requirement per the options below.
a. Fewer than 20 DUs: min. 2
active amenities
b. Between 20-55 DUs: min. 3
active amenities
c. Between 51-99 DUs: min. 4
active amenities
d. Between 101-149 DUs: min. 5 active
amenities
e. 150 DUs and greater: min. 6 plus one
additional active amenity for each
additional 50 units

3.9.4. Types of passive amenities. Select from the list below.
a. Active water amenity
b. Barbecue
c. Clubhouse and/or recreation
room that opens onto an outdoor
amenity area
d. Community garden
e. Court game facility
f. Exercise area and/or par course
g. Jogging and/or par course
h. Pet area and/or run and/or wash
i. Play area, children’s
Applicant comments and/or further explanations of compliance (optional). City comments (optional).

Page 823 of 855 ends

88 Chapter 6: Compliance Checklists
City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

MIXED-USE BUILDING ARCHITECTURE DESIGN
New mixed-use projects shall meet all of the below Building Architecture standards per Chapter 4 of the City of Palm Desert Multifamily and Mixed Use Objective Design Standards policy.

CITY USE ONLY

4.1. BUILDING HEIGHT 4.1. BUILDING HEIGHT

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

This comment box may also be used for further explanations of compliance (optional).

City comments (optional).

Page 824 of 855 ends

CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 89 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

CITY USE ONLY

4.2. BUILDING LENGTH 4.2. BUILDING LENGTH

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOTAPPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

4.2.1. Building wall, maximum length. Max. 250’
in length.

4.2.2. Building breaks, open to the sky. Min. 40’
open-to-the-sky separation provided when
building breaks are required, programmed
as either public/private rights-of-way, courts,
passageways, paseos, and/or other active and/
or passive landscaped open spaces.

4.2.3. Building breaks with vehicular street. Min.
5’ sidewalk and min. 5’ adjoining parkway
if building break utilizes a public or private
vehicular street.

If “Not Applicable” was selected in the above section, provide an explanation for why the ODS does not apply to the proposed project (required).

This comment box may also be used for further explanations of compliance (optional).

City comments (optional).

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CITY USE ONLY

4.3. BUILDING MODULATION 4.3. BUILDING MODULATION

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

BUILDING MODULATION CONTINUES ON THE NEXT PAGE

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CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 91 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024
BUILDING MODULATION (CONT.) BUILDING MODULATION (CONT.)

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

4.3.3. Upper story floor area limit. Top story gross
area of buildings are a max. 80% of the floor
immediately below.

If “Not Applicable” was selected in the above section, provide an explanation for why the ODS does not apply to the proposed project (required).

This comment box may also be used for further explanations of compliance (optional).

City comments (optional).

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CITY USE ONLY

4.4. BUILDING ROOFS 4.4. BUILDING ROOFS

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOTAPPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

4.4.2. Roof slopes. Pitch of sloped roofs, other than
conical, curved/barrel vaulted, or dome roofs,
is min. 2:12 and max. 4:12.

4.4.5. Flat roof modulation. Modulate the roof
vertically a min. 42” at least once every 50’.

BUILDING ROOFS CONTINUES ON THE NEXT PAGE

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CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 93 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

4.4. BUILDING ROOFS (CONT.) 4.4. BUILDING ROOFS (CONT.)

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

4.4.6. Greenhouses. Exempt from roof type, slope,
modulation, and materials requirements if
total floor area of the greenhouse is < 10% of
the total gross floor area of the building.

4.4.7. Parapet return. Parapets that extend beyond
the wall plane must return and extend a min.
6’ past the wall plane and inwards towards
the building.

If “Not Applicable” was selected in the above section, provide an explanation for why the ODS does not apply to the proposed project (required).

This comment box may also be used for further explanations of compliance (optional).

City comments (optional).

CITY USE ONLY

4.5. BUILDING MATERIALS 4.5. BUILDING MATERIALS

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

BUILDING MATERIALS CONTINUES ON THE NEXT PAGE

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CITY USE ONLY

4.7. BUILDING OPENINGS 4.7. BUILDING OPENINGS

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

4.7.1. Ground-level transparency or frontage
component. Select at least one of
the following.
a. Min. 60% of total ground-level wall
length glazing that is a min. 8’ tall.
b. A min. 8’ clear depth architectural
component along a min. 80% of wall
length that faces a public street.

4.7.2. Upper-level glazing. Min. 15% glazing at
building walls above the ground level.

4.7.3. Openings. Max. 60% of total wall area of any
individual building face.

Applicant comments and/or further explanations of compliance (optional). City comments (optional).

4.5. BUILDING MATERIALS (CONT.) 4.5. BUILDING MATERIALS (CONT.)

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOTAPPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

4.5.3. Prohibited wall materials. Project is not a
100% glass building.

Applicant comments and/or further explanations of compliance (optional). City comments (optional).

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CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 95 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

CITY USE ONLY

4.8. BUILDING WINDOWS 4.8. BUILDING WINDOWS

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

4.8.2. Windows, storage, utilities, and screening.

Interior or exterior screening for windows
that open onto a utility or storage use
or occupancy.

If “Not Applicable” was selected in the above section, provide an explanation for why the ODS does not apply to the proposed project (required).

This comment box may also be used for further explanations of compliance (optional).

City comments (optional).

CITY USE ONLY

4.9. BUILDING BALCONIES AND STAIRWELLS 4.9. BUILDING BALCONIES

AND STAIRWELLS

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

4.9.1. Balcony depth. Min. 6’ in clear depth.

4.9.2. Balcony design. Recessed or shaded by
balconies or roof projections immediately
above and/or by min. 4’ deep awnings,
canopies, ramadas, recesses, and/or trellises.

4.9.3. Stairwells. Internal to the building, screened
by materials with a 50% opacity.

If “Not Applicable” was selected in the above section, provide an explanation for why the ODS does not apply to the proposed project (required).

This comment box may also be used for further explanations of compliance (optional).

City comments (optional).

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CITY USE ONLY

4.10. BUILDING UTILITIES 4.10. BUILDING UTILITIES

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOTAPPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

4.10.1. Electrical utilities. Electrical utility equipment, electrical meters, and junction boxes placed
within a utility room.

Applicant comments and/or further explanations of compliance (optional). City comments (optional).

CITY USE ONLY

4.11. BUILDING FACADE COLORS 4.11. BUILDING FACADE COLORS

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

4.11.2. Accent colors. Max. 10% building facade may
be a color not considered neutral, earth tone,
and/or Sonoran Desert color choice.

4.11.3. Prohibited colors. Black is only used as an
accent color or a window, trim, fence, or
gate color.

Applicant comments and/or further explanations of compliance (optional). City comments (optional).

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CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 97 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

CITY USE ONLY

BUILDING WATER DRAINAGE DEVICES BUILDING WATER DRAINAGE DEVICES

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

4.37. Water drainage devices. Gutters, downspouts,
and other water drainage components, with
the exception of required overflow devices, are
not visible from the exterior building walls
facing public streets.

Applicant comments and/or further explanations of compliance (optional). City comments (optional).

CITY USE ONLY

4.13. BUILDING TRASH/RECYCLING BINS AND ENCLOSURES 4.13. BUILDING TRASH/RECYCLING BINS

AND ENCLOSURES

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

Applicant comments and/or further explanations of compliance (optional). City comments (optional).

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4.14. BUILDING DESIGN COMPONENTS 4.14. BUILDING DESIGN COMPONENTS

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

BUILDING DESIGN COMPONENTS CONTINUES ON THE NEXT PAGE

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CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 99 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

CITY USE ONLY

4.14. BUILDING DESIGN COMPONENTS (CONT.) 4.14. BUILDING DESIGN COMPONENTS (CONT.)

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

Applicant comments and/or further explanations of compliance (optional). City comments (optional).

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MIXED-USE PARKING DESIGN
New mixed-use projects shall meet all of the below Parking standards per Chapter 5 of the City of Palm Desert Multifamily and Mixed Use Objective Design Standards policy.

CITY USE ONLY

5.1. SURFACE PARKING DESIGN 5.1. SURFACE PARKING DESIGN

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

5.1.1. Surface parking visibility. Select one of the
following.
a. All surface parking lots are behind
buildings. When more than 1
building is placed on a lot and
the buildings screen the surface
parking, a max. 30’ wide separation
between buildings screening the
surface parking.
b. All surface parking lots behind a
fence or wall.
c. All surface lots behind a min. 10’
depth and min. 42” height landscape
buffer using bushes, hedges,
and trees.

5.1.2. Surface parking along side or rear property
lines. Min. 5’ width perimeter landscape strip
along surface parking areas adjacent to side or
rear property lines.

5.1.3. Landscape island dimensions. Min. 9’ length
and 7’ width, exclusive of curbs and landings.

5.1.4. End parking stalls, width. Increased in Cityrequired width by min. 18”.

5.1.5. Landscape islands, end parking stalls.

All end parking stalls are adjacent to a
landscaped island.

5.1.7. Canopy trees at on-site surface parking. Min.
1 canopy tree for every 3 uncovered parking
spaces and 1 canopy tree for every 8 covered
parking spaces.

SURFACE PARKING DESIGN CONTINUES ON THE NEXT PAGE

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CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 101 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

5.1. SURFACE PARKING DESIGN (CONT.) 5.1. SURFACE PARKING DESIGN (CONT.)

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

5.1.8. Canopy tree distribution at on-site surface
parking. Uniformly distributed across surface
are of lot so that no parking space is more
than 30’ from the center of a canopy tree.

5.1.9. Parking space building separation. Min.
5’ pedestrian sidewalk and min. 5’ wide
landscape strip measured from the curb face
separating parking spaces from buildings

5.1.11. Pathway enhancements, surface lots with
more than 50 spaces. Enhanced or textured
paving or striping included where pedestrian
crossing occurs.

If “Not Applicable” was selected in the above section, provide an explanation for why the ODS does not apply to the proposed project (required).

This comment box may also be used for further explanations of compliance (optional).

City comments (optional).

CITY USE ONLY

5.2. MECHANICAL PARKING 5.2. MECHANICAL PARKING

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

5.2.1. Mechanical parking placement. Open-to-theair mechanical parking placed more than 20’ from a public street frontage.

If “Not Applicable” was selected in the above section, provide an explanation for why the ODS does not apply to the proposed project (required).

This comment box may also be used for further explanations of compliance (optional).

City comments (optional).

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CITY USE ONLY

5.3. PARKING SHELTERS 5.3. PARKING SHELTERS

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

5.3.1. Parking shelter placement. No parking shelters
within required setbacks.

5.3.2. Parking shelter materials and colors. When
visible from a public right-of-way, parking
shelters are the same colors and roof
materials as the main buildings of a site.

5.3.3. Parking shelter length. Max. 65’ in length.

If “Not Applicable” was selected in the above section, provide an explanation for why the ODS does not apply to the proposed project (required).

This comment box may also be used for further explanations of compliance (optional).

City comments (optional).

CITY USE ONLY

5.4. PARKING GARAGES 5.4. PARKING GARAGES

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

5.4.1. Architectural continuity, parking garages.

Parking garages are architecturally treated
and meet the Building Architecture ODS in
Chapter 4 of the Multifamily and Mixed-Use
Objective Design Standards policy.

5.4.2. Vehicular entry gates. Min. 20’ between gate
and back of the sidewalk.

If “Not Applicable” was selected in the above section, provide an explanation for why the ODS does not apply to the proposed project (required).

This comment box may also be used for further explanations of compliance (optional).

City comments (optional).

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CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 103 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

CITY USE ONLY

5.5. BICYCLE PARKING 5.5. BICYCLE PARKING

ODS DESCRIPTION NOT
APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NOT APPLICABLE COMPLIANT NONCOMPLIANT

5.5.1. Short-term bicycle parking. Required bicycle
racks located within 50’ of at least 1 public
building entrance.

5.5.2. Long-term bicycle parking. Required bicycle
racks are covered and secured, located within
150’ of at least one building entrance.

If “Not Applicable” was selected in the above section, provide an explanation for why the ODS does not apply to the proposed project (required).

This comment box may also be used for further explanations of compliance (optional).

City comments (optional).

CITY USE ONLY

FINAL APPLICANT COMMENTS (OPTIONAL) FINAL CITY COMMENTS (OPTIONAL)

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CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 105 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024
7 GLOSSARY

CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

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106 Chapter 7: Glossary
City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024
A
Accessory Building or Structure. Any subordinate
building or structure located on the building
site, detached from or attached to the principle
structure, the use and architectural style of which
is customarily related to that of a main building.

Amenities, Active. Active amenities shall be
outdoors and include the following;
• Active water amenity, including but not
limited to a pool, spa, hot tub, splash pad,
and/or misting area
• Barbecue
• Clubhouse and/or recreation room that
opens onto an outdoor amenity area
• Community garden
• Court game facility exclusive of pickleball
• Exercise area and/or par course
• Jogging and/or par course
• Pet area and/or run and/or wash
• Play area, children’s
Amenities, Passive. Passive amenities shall be
outdoors and include the following;
• Gazebo
• Passive water amenity, including but not
limited to a fountain, waterfall, stream, or
pond
• Picnic shelter
• Seating area a minimum of 12 feet wide in
one dimension and 144 square feet in area
• Seating walls
• Secured package lockers
Alley. A roadway that provides access to the rear
or sides of a parcel.

Arcade. A pedestrian walkway defined by columns,
pilasters, or short-length open-to-the-outside
walls supporting a roof that provides shelter
along its length.

B
Boulder(s). Using ISO 14688-1:2017, boulders
are defined as stones and rocks that are
approximately eight inches and larger in size.

Building. A structure having a roof supported by
columns or walls.

Building Area. The square footage of the total
footprint of the building, including all floors of
the building.

C
Canopy Tree. An evergreen or semi-deciduous
tree planted for the purposes of providing shade,
reducing glare, and heat build up. These trees
shall have a minimum 30-foot diameter canopy
potential.

Cobble(s). Using ISO 14688-1:2017, cobble is
defined as pebbles, stones, and rocks that are
approximately two and one-half to eight inches
in size.

D
Dark-Sky Compliant. Outdoor lighting that is
designed to prevent light pollution by directing
light towards the ground.

Decomposed Granite. Rock of granitic origin that
has weathered and fractured into smaller pieces
of weak rock. This rock crumbles into a mixture of
igneous silt, sand, and gravel with some clay. The
clay acts as a binder allowing the combination to
support use.

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CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 107 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024
E
Earth Tone Color. An earth tone color is a warm
and muted or dull shade of brown, green, gray,
or beige.

Elevation, Building. The flat side or external face
of a building.

F
Facing a Public Street. A building wall, element,
or component shall be considered to be facing a
public street or right-of-way when a plane tangent
to the wall, element, or component is no greater
than 30 degrees in inclination from a line drawn
tangent to the public street or right-of-way.

Fence. A freestanding structure of brick, stone, face
stone, veneer stone, or any combination thereof
resting on or partially buried in the ground level,
and used for confinement, privacy, protection,
screening, or partition purposes.

Frontage, Building. The building elevation that
fronts on a public street, alley, driveway, parking
area, pedestrian plaza, courtyard, or arcade.

Frontage, Public Street. The property line that
adjoins a public street, alley, driveway, parking
area, pedestrian plaza, courtyard, or arcade.

G
Grade, Average. The average elevation of the
finished ground surface surrounding a building.

Gravel. Using ISO 14688-1:2017, gravel is defined
as fine, medium, and coarse rock material. Fine
gravel is typically one tenth of an inch to a quarter
inch in size. Medium gravel is typically a quarter
inch to three quarters of an inch in size. Coarse
gravel is typically three quarters of an inch to two
and one half inches in size.

M
Mass/Massing. The comprehensive bulk or threedimensional form of a building or portion of a building as viewed from the exterior.

Mixed-Use Building. A permanent building that
allows for a mix of uses, typically commercial
and residential.

Modulation, Facade Plane. Adjustment and
breaking of a facade plane(s) to realize variations
in massing, scale, materials, color, and/or
proportion, to introduce a sense of variety and
major and minor building plane rhythms.

Multifamily Building. A permanent building
containing three or more dwelling units.

N
Natural Metal Material. Natural metals include
unpainted aluminum, copper, stainless steel,
titanium, and zinc and natural metal finishes
utilizing the same materials.

Neutral Color. A Palm Desert neutral color is a
white, gray, or brown. Neutral colors include offwhite, light to dark gray, and light to dark brown colors.

O
Objective Design Standards. A toolbox of a broad
range of design approaches that assists project
proponents and their design teams in reaching
compliance with the desired character of the City
of Palm Desert.

Openings. Windows and doors set within
building planes.

Open to the sky. An uncovered outdoor area
exclusive of any encroachments below 12 feet
in height.

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108 Chapter 7: Glossary
City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024
P
Parkway. A landscape strip adjoining a sidewalk
or pathway.

Project. A multifamily or mixed-use building(s)
planned and designed for a particular site,
requiring City approval for construction.

Project Entries. A door that allows access into
a project.

Public Art. A sculpture, mosaic, fountain, fine art
craft, mixed-media, murals, drawings, paintings,
monuments, or installations that are displayed in
a public place.

R
Right-Of-Way. The right of a pedestrian, bicyclist,
vehicle, or vessel to proceed over others in a
single place.

Roof, Flat. The angle of the roof is sloped less than
15 degrees.

S
Setback. The distance between the building line
and the property line or a distance between one
building plane and a second building plane.

Street Frontage, Public-Facing. The linear distance
of a site boundary that is generally parallel to a
public street.

Slope, Roof. The incline of a roof, expressed as a
ratio of the roof’s vertical rise to the horizontal
run. Other than conical roofs, curved roofs, barrel
roofs, or dome roofs, roof slope shall be no less
than 2:12 and no greater than 4:12.

Specimen Tree. A tree chosen as the focal point
in a landscape design, typically due to its distinct
shape, texture, color, or other feature that
distinguishes it from other trees and shrubs in the
landscape design.

Street, Public. A vehicular right-of-way in which
the public has a right of use.

W
Wall. A continuous, upright, and planar structure
that encloses, protects, and/or divides a site.

Wall, Building. The vertical face of a building or
the vertical outer envelope of the structure.

Wall Area. The total vertical area, in square feet, of
a wall.

Water Amenity, Active. A water-based attraction
for active recreation, such as a pool, spa, hot tub,
splash pad, or misting area.

Water Amenity, Passive. A decorative landscape
design element with water as the central
component, such as a fountain, waterfall, stream,
or pond.

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CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 109 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024
Project Outreach
Image Sources

A APPENDIX
City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

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110 APPENDIX
City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024
A-1 Project Outreach
The Consultant Team worked with the City of Palm Desert Staff to conduct a robust, 3-month community engagement process to support the development of multifamily and mixed-use objective design standards (Project). Three phases of outreach took place throughout the Project timeline.
• Phase 1: Project Introduction and Issue Identification (June 2023)
• Phase 2: Objective Design Standard Topics (July 2023) • Phase 3: Public Review Draft Discussions (August and
September 2023*)
*Phase 3 of the Project outreach was extended into the month of September due to Hurricane Hilary in August 2023.

OUTREACH PHASE 1 EVENTS
Community Open House (COH)
On June 19, 2023 from 11:00AM to 7:00PM, the Consultant facilitated a Community Open House (COH) hosted by the City of Palm Desert to listen to ideas from Palm Desert residents and stakeholders regarding multifamily and mixed-use development.

The COH was a temporary exhibition consisting of printed boards displayed at the Palm Desert iHub. The boards showcased examples of multifamily housing, mixed-use development, existing multifamily in Palm Desert, recently-approved projects in Palm Desert, and classic “desert architecture”. Stickers were given to attendees to place on the boards indicating their like or dislike of the illustrated design concepts and typologies. Throughout the entire COH, City Staff and/or the Consultant team were available to walk attendees through the exhibition and listen to their reactions to multifamily and mixed-use typologies.

At 1:00PM and 5:00PM, formal presentations were conducted to introduce the Project and present Open House materials. Nick Melloni introduced the Project and John Kaliski presented a set of slides that elaborated on multifamily and mixed-use developments in Palm Desert. The presentation concluded with a list of Consultant findings and considerations, which transitioned into a public forum for discussion, answering questions, and gathering feedback. The 1:00PM presentation garnered approximately 11 attendees and the 5:00PM presentation had 4 attendees. Ideas heard in the public forums included, but were not limited to, the following:

Date:

Location:

Time:

June 19, 2023
Palm Desert iHub
(37023 Cook St.

Suite 102, Palm
Desert, CA 92211)
11:00AM-7:00PM
PST (formal Project
presentations
at 1:00PM
and 5:00PM)

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CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 111 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024
• Older Palm Desert buildings on boards feel dated and should be “diluted” with newer buildings.
• More mixed-use is needed in Palm Desert.
• Consider a “tree hierarchy” to get more landscape, driven by the existing plant palette.
• Conserve views to mountains and natural surrounds.
• Avoid building “building canyons”.
• “Superblock” scale is too big.
• Ensure existing entitlements and design and development opportunities.
• Prioritize environmental elements in design standards: solar, wind, shade, etc.
• There should be an architectural coherence of various buildings within a development.
• How can ODS prevent “design laziness” and be a “defense against by-right abuse”?
• Water usage and drainage, such as internal vs. external downspouts and water features.
• Resist desert architecture that is clearly of other deserts (specifically mentioned: Santa Fe).
• More options for project edge design to create human scale and avoid “tunnels”.
• Concentrate on design vs. planning factors.

Individual Developer Meetings
During the COH, Staff and the Consultant team met with four developers in individual, 30-minute Zoom meetings to hear about their experiences.

Date:

Location:

June 19, 2023
Virtual (via Zoom)
Time Contact Development
11:00 AM Kassie Inness Millennium Apartments
11:30 AM Mark Bigley Urban Crossings
2:00 PM Darren Berberian Vitalia Apartments
3:00 PM Mitch Slagerman Palm Villas
Each developer had recently gone through the design approval process. To guide the conversation, the following questions were prepared in advance of the meeting and asked at all the meetings:

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112 APPENDIX
City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024
• Tell us about your relationship to Palm Desert development and design.
• What has worked well for you as you have gone through the development and design approval process?
• What has not worked well for you?
• What type of design standards do you think should be
implemented?
• Are there design standards that we should avoid in order to facilitate housing design and development?
Feedback heard from developers included, but was not limited to, the following:
• City Staff was generally (not exclusively) praised.
• Mechanical screening standards in Palm Desert are not clear. • Provide “solution-based” design standards.
• Concern (not exclusively) regarding the subjectivity of the design review process.
• Make distinction between affordable versus market-rate housing projects.
• Look for opportunities to speed up the approval process timeline, especially for affordable housing projects.
• Seek design and development “balance”.

Planning Commission (PC) Study Session
The day after the COH, Staff and the Consultant team participated in a study session with the PC. The Consultant team presented a condensed version of the slide deck presentation from the COH, and included a few slides that summarized what was heard and discussed at the COH. Following the presentation, the Commissioners provided additional feedback regarding multifamily and mixed-use development in Palm Desert. Topics of discussion included, but were not limited to, the following:
• The choice of architect who designs multifamily and mixeduse in Palm Desert is crucial to get better architecture in the City, particularly architects that understand the environment. • Landscape is important, but maintenance is not emphasized enough - many projects in Palm Desert have aging
landscaping.
• General approval of 3-story developments.
• University Park - an example of a neglected project during a time where more effort was put towards increased singlefamily housing.

Date:

Location:

Time:

June 20, 2023
Palm Desert City Hall
6:00PM-7:00PM PST

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CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 113 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024
• Comparison to other cities - Santa Fe, Palm Springs,
Scottsdale, leading to the importance of inventing standards that build the landscape into the logic of the zoning code. • Use elements from the General Plan and convert “shoulds” to “shalls”.
• Design standards can be written as both “you shall” as well as “you shall not”.
• Continue to invite all members to public meetings about the project to avoid residents claiming to “not be knowledgeable” about the project (what happened during the General Plan update).

Planning Commission Small-Group Commissioner Meeting
The Consultant Team and City Staff had a breakout session with Planning Commissioners Gregory and Greenwood a week after the June 20th Planning Commission meeting to further gain insight on existing Palm Desert character and ideas regarding multifamily and mixed-use goals for the objective design standards. Topics discussed included the following:
• How do we find a balance to employ objective design
standards to receive a more architecturally diverse and rich project without a developer doing the bare minimum?
• Will the ODS allow architects the flexibility and tools to create good projects?
• Importance of transitional heights, “strategic variation” of housing types, sufficient amounts of open space and good open space requirements.
• Examples of good architectural design in Palm Desert. • Palm Desert-specific landscaping.

OUTREACH PHASE 2 EVENTS
Architectural Review Commission (ARC) Study Session
The Consultant and City Staff met with the Architectural Review Commission (ARC) for a study session regarding potential focus areas for the objective design standards. The Consultant made a presentation that summarized their research of objective design standards in other surrounding cities (Tucson, Sedona, Coachella, and Indian Wells) and introduced four topic areas in which standards would be categorized - Site ODS, Building ODS, Open Space ODS, and Parking ODS. The Consultant also shared with the ARC a narrative of the Project goals and objectives to set the tone of the Project and guide the discussion. Feedback from ARC included, but was not limited to, the following:

Date:

Location:

Time:

June 28, 2023
Virtual (via Zoom)
2:00PM-3:00PM PST
Date:

Location:

Time:

July 11, 2023
Palm Desert City Hall
12:30PM-3:30PM PST

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City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024
• Ensuring quality-appropriate architecture that emphasized the desert.
• Recessing of apertures to create shadow lines and protection from the harsh environment.
• Standardizing building facade color to reflect the desert environment.
• Defining height to avoid towering multifamily, particularly in relation to single-family homes.
• Internal consistency of multiple buildings that make up a development project.
• Orientation of buildings to conserve views.
• Night standards, such as shielded fixtures and lighting. • Important that the ODS do not stifle creativity.

Landscape Input with ARC
As a follow-up to the ARC meeting on July 11, the Consultant team and City Staff spoke to the ARC Commissioners Colvard, McAuliffe, and Sanchez about additional landscaping goals for the ODS. Their feedback included, but was not limited to, the following:
• Align species of trees, scale of trees, and growth of trees that will support walkability and general enjoyment of the outdoors.
• Choose tree species that will thrive in the desert.
• Landscaping should be thought of as a natural extension of building ideas, such as shade and versatility.
• Not every inch of sidewalk and pathway need to have tree cover.
• Avoid species that do not establish well in wind conditions. • Consider standards that ensure dangerous plants (sporings, cactus, Madagascar palms) should not be close to sidewalks and open spaces, especially in developments where kids may be outdoors playing.
• Consider requiring high-branching trees deeper into fencing areas along pathways to avoid constant trimming and
hazards for pedestrians.

Date:

Location:

Time:

July 27, 2023
Virtual (via Zoom)
10:00AM-11:00AM PST

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CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 115 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024
OUTREACH PHASE 3 EVENTS
City Council Study Session
The Consultant team and City Staff participated in a study session with the Palm Desert City Council (CC). CC was provided the draft of the Multifamily and Mixed-Use Objective Design Standards to review in advance of the meeting. The Consultant presented an overview of the Project, including several examples of ODS from each section of the document. During and after the presentation, CC provided comments that addressed the following concerns:
• The avoidance of an urban canyon as people are drawn to Palm Desert because of its sense of openness
• Mayor Kelly emphasized an approach to ODS that takes into consideration the status quo heights of downtown which
may be modified. Avoidance of “memorializing,” a status quo that is about to change.
• Careful consideration of what canopy trees will be planted.

Specifically, Mayor Pro Tem Quintanilla mentioned omitting eucalyptus trees from consideration.
• Due to the recent damage from Hurricane Hilary, emphasis should be placed on trees with more weather resistance. • Councilmember Harnik questioned why height was described in stories rather than in feet.
• Councilmember Nestande referenced the recent hurricane again in regards to the choice of ground cover. Is there a type that is better than another? The selection of ground cover should be able to withstand heavy rain or wind.
• The question of what mechanical parking is was raised by Mayor Pro Tem Quintanilla and was answered.
• The fit between state standards and the Palm Desert ODS.

Will the Palm Desert ODS comply with state standards?
• It was noted that Mayor Kelly would like to see more visuals in the next presentation.
• Specification of fences and wall heights and whether security fences are included in this specific standard.
• The utilization of plastic fences that resemble wood to be used since wooden fences are not permitted(?) since they are not reliable.
• Clarification of parking as an “amenity,” rather than a “necessity.”
• Due to the weather in the Coachella Valley, parking should be paid special attention to as Palm Desert is a car reliant town.

Date:

Location:

Time:

August 24, 2023
Palm Desert City Hall
2:30PM-3:30PM PST

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City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024
ARC/PC Joint Study Session
The Consultant and City Staff presented highlights from the public review draft of the Multifamily and Mixed-Use Objective Design Standards document to hear feedback from both the ARC and PC.

Similar to the CC presentation on August 24th, the presentation to the commissioners recapped the Project goals and objectives and shared examples of ODS in each section of the document, as well as summarized the feedback received from City Councilmembers. Input from the ARC and PC included, but was not limited to, the following:
• Increasing the length of roof eaves from a minimum of 18 inches to 24 inches.
• Is 30 feet on center enough separation for Desert Museum trees?
• Concern of trees that have fallen during Hurricane Hilary. • Confirm applicability requirements for ODS in SB 330. • How are the ODS addressing circulation and landscaping between buildings?
• Ensure that higher-density projects do not lose separation between buildings.
• Consider a certain percentage of the building that doesn’t require a canopy frontage in order to prioritize views of the architecture - balance architecture with pedestrian experience.
• Consider a maximum percentage of hardscape versus a
minimum percentage of shrubs.
• Is 50 percent of live plant material too high?
• Are there screening requirements for balconies?
• Should water features be a passive amenity choice?
• Consider open space near street frontages to take away from the bulk and scale of buildings.

Community Workshop
Following the Joint ARC/PC Study Session, the Consultant and City Staff held a workshop open to community members to gain their insight and perspective regarding the Multifamily and Mixed-Use Objective Design Standards document. The meeting was held at the Palm Desert City Hall but simultaneously streamed virtually to allow for in-person and virtual attendance. The Consultant team gave a presentation with slides similar to the decision-maker study sessions, yet spent more time explaining the intent behind the ODS and how the document should be read and utilized. The presentation was recorded and posted on the Project website.

Date:

Location:

Time:

September 7, 2023
Palm Desert City Hall
6:30PM-8:00PM PST
Date:

Location:

Time:

September 7, 2023
Palm Desert City Hall
12:30PM-3:30PM PST

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CITY OF PALM DESERT MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 117 City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024
A-2 Image Sources
COVER
x Fred Waring Drive. Palm Desert, CA. Photo by JKA.
1 x The Enclave Rental Condominiums. Palm Desert, CA. Photo by JKA. 3 x Golf course. Palm Desert, CA. Photo by JKA.
5 x El Camino Triplex. San Mateo, CA. Photo via Todd Davis Architecture. x Mar Vista Four. Los Angeles, CA. Photo via KFA Architecture. x The E.R.B. Townhomes. Los Angeles, CA. Photo via KTGY. x Luminaira & Espaira At Parasol Park. Irvine, CA. Photo via KTGY. x Citron Apartments. Ventura, CA. Photo via KYGY.
6 x Santiago Lofts. Santa Ana, CA. Photo by JKA.
x iHub. Palm Desert, CA. Google Earth aerial photography. x Westgate Apartments. Pasadena, CA. Photo by JKA.
x The Earnest. San Diego, CA. Photo via FoundationForForm. 9 x Sombra De La Montana Townhomes. Palm Desert, CA. Photo by JKA. 10 x Roundhouse Place. San Luis Obispo, CA. Photo via roundhouseplace.com 13 x Mason on Mariposa. San Francisco, CA. Photo via David Baker Architects. 14 x 855 Brannan Apartments. San Francisco, CA. Photo via David Baker Architects.
15 x The Asher. Fremont, CA. Photo via TCA Architects.
17 x Catalina Garden Apartments. Palm Desert, CA. Photo by JKA. 18 x Desert Museum Palo Verde. Photo via https://waterwisegardenplanner. org/plants/parkinsonia-x-desert-museum/.
x Sweet Acadia. Photo via https://www.pinterest.com/
pin/341640321708500748/.
x Spanish Walk. Palm Desert, CA. Photo by JKA.
19 x Texas Ebony. Photo via Gothic Landscape.
x Thornless Cascalote. Photo via Tuscan Clean and Beautiful, Inc. x Smoke Tree. Photo by Millicent Harvey.
x Honey Mesquite. Photo via Arid Zone Trees.
20 x Wild Marigold. Photo by Waterwise Garden Planner for Southern California.
21 x Flattop Buckwheat. Photo via Mountain States Wholesale Nursery. x El Rincon. Indio, CA. Photo by JKA.
x Desert River Estates. Indio, CA. Photo by JKA.
23 x Anton Landera Apartments. Mountain View, CA. Photo via https://www. antonladera.com/.
x Apex on Central Apartments. Phoenix, AZ. Photo via Turnstone Capital. 24 x Portico Apartments. Sunrise, FL. Photo via https://www. porticoaptssunrisefl.com/.
x The Rolland Curtis Gardens. Los Angeles, CA. Photo via Abode Communities.
x Catherine Santa Monica. Santa Monica, CA. Photo via KFA Architecture. x Six Oaks Apartments. Bothell, WA. Photo via Dahlin Group. 25 x Multifamily on San Gorgonio Way. Palm Desert, CA. Photo by JKA. 27 x LINC Fairview Heights. Inglewood, CA. Photo via KFA Architecture. 29 x Hancock Lofts. West Hollywood, CA. Photo via Koning Eizenberg Architecture.
x Abbot Kinney Lofts. Los Angeles, CA. Photo via Koning Eizenberg Architecture.
30 x Avalon Apartments. Glendora, CA. Photo by JKA.
31 x Kapolei Lofts. Oahu, HI. Photo via KTGY.
33 x Elevation on Central. Phoenix, AZ. Photo via Todd+Associates. x Wardelle Townhouses. Las Vegas, NV. Photo by Michael Tessler Photography.
34 x The Residences at Escaya. Chula Vista, CA. Photo via AO. x Five88. San Francisco, CA. Photo via David Baker Architects. x Valencia Vista. San Bernardino, CA. Photo via Humphreys & Partners Architects.
35 x 1447 Lincoln. Santa Monica, CA. Photo via KFA Architecture. x 512 Rose. Venice, CA. Photo via KFA Architecture. x 300 Ivy. San Francisco, CA. David Baker Architects. 36 x Residences at Sweetbay. Panama City, FL. Photo via Humphreys & Partners Architects.
x Desert Willow Golf Resort mechanical screening. Palm Desert, CA. Photo by JKA.
37 x Kalon. Phoenix, AZ. Photo via Todd+Associates. x The Mews Lofts. Venice, CA. Photo via EYRC. x Perch. Dublin, CA. Photo via KYGY. 38 x Trash enclosure. Photo via City of Escondido.
x Camden North End II. Phoenix, AZ. Photo via Todd+Associates. x Elan Menlo Park Apartments. Menlo Park, CA. Photo via KYGY. 39 x Camden Sotelo. Tempe, AZ. Photo via Todd+Associates. x Tanager Apartments. Summerlin, NV. Photo via Humphreys & Partners Architects.
x Compass Rose. Fullerton, CA. Photo by Humphreys & Partners Architects. 41 x 40215 Harris Lane. Palm Desert, CA. Photo by JKA.
43 x Charles Paddock Zoo Green Parking Lot. Atascadero, CA. Photo via Central Coast LIDI.
x St. Mary’s Hospital Parking Lot. Photo via Savor the Southwest Blog. x Living Desert Zoo and Gardens Parking Lot. Palm Desert, CA. Photo via Married to Plants Blog.
x Stacker Parking System. Photo via MHE.
44 x Desert Willow Golf Resort parking shelter. Palm Desert, CA. Photo by JKA. x Prado West. Dana Point, CA. Photo via AO. x A2 Apartments. Baltimore, MD. Photo via David Baker Architects. 45 x Skye at McClintock Station. Tempe, AZ. Photo va https://www. skyeatmcclintockstation.com/.
x Higby Apartments. Berkeley, CA. Photo via https://livehigby.com/gallery/. 47 x 73430 San Gorgonio Way. Palm Desert, CA. Photo by JKA. 103
x Laguna Palms Apartments. Palm Desert, CA. Photo by JKA. 107
x 73-535 Santa Rosa. Palm Desert, CA. Photo by JKA.

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City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

MULTIFAMILY AND MIXED-USE

OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS
City of Palm Desert CA, Draft March 2024

Page 854 of 855 ends

C I T Y O F P A L M
D E S E R T 73-510 FRED WARING DRIVE
PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA 92260-2578
TEL: 760-346-0611
[email protected]

CITY OF PALM DESERT

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
CASE NO. ZOA24-0001

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT A PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE HELD BEFORE THE CITY

COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, TO CONSIDER ADOPTING A

NOTICE OF EXEMPTION PURSUANT TO THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) AND APPROVING CITYWIDE RESIDENTIAL OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS, AND

A ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT TO REFER TO THE STANDARDS
The City of Palm Desert (City), in its capacity as the Lead Agency for this project and pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), has determined the project to be exempt from further environmental review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section §15061(b)(3).

PROJECT LOCATION: Citywide
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The consideration is a request to adopt Citywide Residential Objective Design Standards. The standards will apply objective design requirements for qualifying housing developments including housing consisting of three or greater units, mixed use project comprised of 2/3rds or greater floor area for residential, and transitional and supportive housing.

The zoning ordinance will include text providing reference to the standards. At the March 14, 2024, City Council Meeting, the Council made modifications to the standards which require reintroduction of the item for first reading.

PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: The Planning Commission for the City of Palm Desert did hold a duly noticed public hearing to consider the aforementioned Project on February 6, 2024 and adopted Resolution 2852 recommending approval of the project to the City Council.

PUBLIC HEARING: NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Palm Desert, California, will hold a Public Hearing on Thursday, April 11, 2024. The City Council meeting begins at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber at 73510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, California.

Pursuant to Assembly Bill 2449, this meeting may be conducted as a hybrid meeting, allowing public access via teleconference or in person. Options for remote participation will be listed on the Posted Agenda for the meeting at: https://www.palmdesert.gov/connect/city-council REVIEW OF PROJECT INFORMATION: Information concerning the proposed Change of Zone is available for review in the Office of the City Clerk at 73510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, California during regular business hours and on the City’s website at https://www.palmdesert.gov/connect/city-council
COMMENT ON THIS APPLICATION: Response to this notice may be made as follows:

Written comments may be submitted to the City Council by letter to the address below or email at [email protected]. Transmittal prior to the start of the meeting is required. Any correspondence received during or after the meeting will be distributed to the City Council as soon as practicable and retained for the official record.

Any challenge of the proposed project in court may be limited to raising only those issues raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City Clerk at, or prior, to the public hearing. (Government Code Section 65009[b][2]).

Si necesita ayuda con esta notificación, por favor llame a la Ciudad de Palm Desert y comuníquese con Gloria Sanchez (760) 346-0611 ext. 354
PUBLISH: THE DESERT SUN ANTHONY J. MEJIA, MMC, CITY CLERK MARCH 29, 2024 CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA

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Palm Desert City CouncilApril 11, 2024

Palm Desert City Council
April 11, 2024