CITY OF PALM DESERT
STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: May 22, 2025
PREPARED BY: Christopher Gerry, Senior Project Manager
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF REVISED DESIGN CONCEPT FOR CITYWIDE WAYFINDING SIGNAGE (PROJECT NO. MST00003)
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the revised wayfinding design concept for the Citywide Wayfinding Master Plan.
BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS:
The City of Palm Desert (City) has been undertaking a comprehensive effort to update and unify its directional and entry monument signage. Wayfinding signs guide residents and visitors to key destinations, while monument signs mark major city entry points and reflect Palm Desert’s visual identity. In 2023, the City Council directed staff to develop a new Wayfinding Master Plan and redesign three monument signs to replace and enhance the aging system. Additional background information on these efforts are included in a previous staff report (Attachment 1).
On February 27, 2025, the City Council considered preliminary designs for citywide wayfinding and entry monument signage. During the meeting, the City Council expressed support for the proposed entry monument design (Attachment 2) but requested further refinement of the wayfinding signage (Attachment 3) to better reflect Palm Desert’s design identity. The refinement focused on adjusting the color palette, specifically shifting to softer, more neutral shades to better complement Palm Desert’s design character and surrounding environment. In response to this direction, the City’s design consultant revised the wayfinding concept (Attachment 4).
On April 7, 2025, the Active Transportation Subcommittee reviewed and recommended support for the revised wayfinding concept. On April 17, 2025, the updated entry monument and wayfinding signage designs were presented to the El Paseo Parking and Business Improvement District Board, which also provided supportive comments.
Staff is returning to the City Council to request consideration of the revised wayfinding signage design. Approval of the design will allow staff and the consultant to finalize detailed specifications and complete the draft Wayfinding Master Plan. Upon selection of a preferred design, staff will return to the City Council for final review and adoption of the full plan.
Legal Review:
This report has been reviewed by the City Attorney’s Office.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with providing design input at this stage. The City and consultant have preliminary Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost estimates, which will be 557
City of Palm Desert
Wayfinding Signage Design
refined as design preferences are finalized and the plan is completed. Current cost estimates range from approximately $934,000 to $2,391,000. To support project delivery, the proposed Fiscal Year 2025/26 budget includes an allocation of $1,800,000. These projections will become clearer with the indication of a preferred design and detailed specifications. Future financial considerations, including fabrication, installation, and maintenance, will be presented to the City Council for review and approval before implementation.
The following table illustrates current project design anticipated expenses:
Description Budget Contracts Balance
2134300-5000910 $250,000
Design Wayfinding Master Plan – A46980 $87,500
Contingency – A46980 $20,000
Design Entry Monument – A47210 $50,000
Contingency – A47210 $5,000
Total $250,000 $162,500 $87,500
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Staff Report (February 27, 2025)
2. Preferred Entry Monument Signage Design
3. Previously Presented Wayfinding Signage Design
4. Recommended Wayfinding Monument Signage Design
558
CITY OF PALM DESERT
STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: February 27, 2025
PREPARED BY: Randy Chavez, Deputy Director of Public Works SUBJECT: CITYWIDE WAYFINDING AND ENTRY MONUMENT SIGNAGE (PROJECT NO. MST00003)
RECOMMENDATION:
Provide feedback on the designs for the citywide wayfinding and entry monument signage.
BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS:
Background
In March 2023, the City Council held a study session to evaluate citywide wayfinding and entry monument signage. Wayfinding signage includes approximately 76 existing directional signs distributed throughout Palm Desert, originally approved in March 2008. Entry monument signs refer to more prominent signage installed at five locations, serving as landmarks at the City's gateways to welcome visitors and reinforcing Palm Desert’s identity. The presentation can be found as Attachment 1.
During a previous study session, the City Council provided feedback to staff regarding both types of signage. First, the City Council requested that staff develop a new wayfinding master plan (Plan) for consideration. Second, they directed staff to design three entry monument signs, including two replacements at existing locations and one at a new location, as identified below:
• Washington Street and Fred Waring Drive (replace)
• Monterey Avenue and Dinah Shore Drive (replace)
• Cook Street and Dinah Shore Drive / Interstate 10 (new) Request for Proposal
In November 2023, the City issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to design the Wayfinding Master Plan (Project ID: 2023-RFP-221) and received seven proposals. In January 2024, the City executed an agreement with Selbert Perkins Design (Consultant) to develop the Plan to replace the existing system. The agreement can be found as Attachment 2.
In January 2024, the City issued an RFP for the design of new entry monument signs (Project ID: 2023-RFP-223), receiving five proposals. Initially, the City considered the potential benefits of issuing separate RFPs for wayfinding and entry monument signage. However, selecting the same consultant for both projects proved to be the more practical choice with ensuring greater design consistency. Therefore, the City executed an additional agreement with the Consultant in March 2024. The agreement can be found as Attachment 3. 559
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Wayfinding and Monument Signage
Community Survey: Initial Feedback
In March 2024, the City conducted a community survey to gather feedback regarding the existing wayfinding system. The City received 73 responses. The survey results displayed that 71% of respondents found the current wayfinding signage useful, highlighting its clear visibility, helpful directional guidance, and alignment with key destinations. However, 29% indicated concerns, citing issues with readability, lack of signage for certain areas, and the need for improved district identification. The results can be found as Attachment 4.
Active Transportation Program Subcommittee: Initial Design Concepts Taking into consideration City Council and community feedback, the City and Consultant have undergone a thorough review and design process, resulting in the creation of several design concepts for initial consideration. In October 2024, those designs concepts were presented to the Active Transportation Program (ATP) Subcommittee for preliminary feedback. Based upon those comments, the Consultant reduced and revised the concepts for further public consideration. The agenda item and presentation can be found as Attachment 5.
Community Survey: Design Concept Input
In November 2024, the City released an additional community survey to receive input from on three design sets of wayfinding and monument signage. The City received 603 responses. The survey results showed that Design 1A (monument signs) and Design 1B (wayfinding) have the strongest community preference trends (i.e., most likes, fewest dislikes). The results can be found as Attachment 6.
Architectural Review Commission
In January 2025, the City and Consultant presented to the Architectural Review Commission (Commission) the three design sets of wayfinding and monument signage. The Commission provided valuable feedback on the concepts. Based upon those comments, the Consultant revised the concepts which are presented today. The minutes and presentation can be found as Attachment 7.
Revised Design Concept Feedback
Based on the design development process, community input, and previous City Council feedback, staff request the City Council to review and provide input on the three revised design sets for citywide wayfinding and entry monument signage. Specifically, staff seek guidance on preferred design elements and modifications before finalizing the next iteration, which subsequently will be presented to the City Council in the future. The presentation can be found as Attachment 8.
Legal Review:
This report has been reviewed by the City Attorney’s Office. 560
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Wayfinding and Monument Signage
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no direct financial impact associated with providing design input at this stage. The City and Consultant have preliminary Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost estimates, which will be refined as design preferences are finalized and the Plan is completed. Cost projections will become clearer with the indication of a preferred design and detailed specifications. Future financial considerations, including fabrication, installation, and maintenance, will be presented to the City Council for review and approval before implementation. The Consultant will discuss ROM cost estimates and considerations during the study session.
The following table illustrates current project design expenses:
Description Budget Expenses Balance
2134300-5000910 $250,000
Design Wayfinding Master Plan – A46980 $87,500
Contingency – A46980 $20,000
Design Entry Monument – A47210 $50,000
Contingency – A47210 $5,000
Total $250,000 $162,500 $87,500
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Study Session Presentation (March 2023)
2. Professional Services Agreement: Wayfinding (January 2024)
3. Professional Services Agreement: Monument Signs (March 2024)
4. Community Survey: Initial Feedback (March 2024)
5. ATP Subcommittee: Agenda Item and Presentation (October 2024)
6. Community Survey: Design Concept Input (November 2024)
7. Architectural Review Commission: Minutes and Presentation (January 2025)
8. Study Session Presentation
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562
PHASE:
TASK 2: CONCEPT DESIGN
MARCH 19, 2025
PROJECT:
CITY OF PALM DESERT
WAYFINDING MASTER PLAN 8
CONCEPT 2 DESIGN
3’- 6”
5’-10”
10’-0”
GATEWAY MONUMENT
LOCATION 1
A01
GATEWAY MONUMENT
LOCATION 2
A02 GATEWAY MONUMENT
LOCATION 3
A03
563
PHASE:
TASK 2: CONCEPT DESIGN
MARCH 19, 2025
PROJECT:
CITY OF PALM DESERT
WAYFINDING MASTER PLAN 11
CONCEPT 2 DESIGN
564
PHASE:
TASK 2: CONCEPT DESIGN
FEBRUARY 12, 2025
PROJECT:
CITY OF PALM DESERT
WAYFINDING MASTER PLAN 18
CONCEPT 2 DESIGN
3’- 6”
5’-10”
10’-0”
Civic Center
McCallum Theater College of the Desert
Living Desert
El Paseo
Directory
DINING
SHOPS
TENANT
TENANT
TENANT
TENANT
TENANT
TENANT
TENANT
TENANT
TENANT
TENANT
TENANT
TENANT
TENANT
TENANT
TENANT
TENANT
TENANT
TENANT
TENANT
TENANT
TENANT
TENANT
TENANT
TENANT
Civic Center
McCallum Theater
College of the
Desert
Living Desert
El Paseo
Visitor Center
El Paseo
Living Desert
Free
Parking
VEHICLE DIRECTION
LARGE
ALTERNATE OPTION
B01 VEHICLE DIRECTION
MEDIUM
B02 B03 VEHICULAR DIRECTIONAL B04
SMALL
PEDESTRIAN DIRECTORY
STATIC
565
PHASE:
TASK 2: CONCEPT DESIGN
FEBRUARY 12, 2025
PROJECT:
CITY OF PALM DESERT
WAYFINDING MASTER PLAN 20
CONCEPT 2 DESIGN
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567
568
569
570
571
572
CITY OF PALM DESERT
STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: May 22, 2025
PREPARED BY: Andrea Staehle, Director of Human Resources SUBJECT: PUBLIC HEARING ON CITY VACANCIES, RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION EFFORTS AS REQUIRED BY ASSEMBLY BILL 2561
RECOMMENDATION:
Hold a public hearing and receive and file the annual report on the status of City vacancies, recruitment, and retention efforts, as required by Assembly Bill 2561.
BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS:
California State Assembly Bill 2561 (AB 2561), approved on September 22, 2024, added Section 3502.3 to the Government Code. This law requires public agencies to present the status of their vacancies at a public hearing before their governing board at least once per fiscal year. The hearing must occur before the adoption of the City’s final budget for the upcoming fiscal year. It must also include a discussion of current recruitment and retention efforts. Additionally, the recognized employee organization must be given the opportunity to present at the hearing. The recognized employee association, the Palm Desert Employees Organization (PDEO), was notified of the opportunity to make a presentation at this public hearing.
In accordance with AB 2561, if the number of vacancies exceeds 20% of the total number of authorized full-time positions in a particular bargaining unit, upon the request of the employee organization, the City shall include specified information during the public hearing. Currently, there are three (3) vacancies with positions in the PDEO, which equates to a vacancy rate of approximately 3%. As such, this threshold has not been met, and the additional reporting requirement does not apply.
Current Recruitment and Retention Efforts
As part of AB 2561, the City must also identify any changes to policies, procedures, or recruitment activities that impact the City’s efforts to reduce vacancies. While the City has historically experienced success in its recruitment efforts, certain specialized positions, such as Advanced Planners and Engineers, remain more challenging to fill. To address these challenges and continue attracting high-quality candidates, the Human Resources Office has implemented several enhanced strategies:
Recruitment Initiatives
o Enhanced Marketing and Outreach Strategies
Targeted advertising across industry platforms
Strategic use of social media channels
Participation in job fairs
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AB2561 Status of Vacancies
o Dedicated Recruitment Oversight
A focused staff member manages the recruitment process to ensure timely communication and promote the City’s workplace culture
o Streamlined Hiring Process
Job Announcements with a clear timeline
Candidate-friendly hiring and orientation process
Retention Strategies
o Professional Development Programs
Internal programs designed to foster employee growth and advancement o Employee Recognition Programs
Initiatives to regularly acknowledge employee contributions o Competitive Compensation and Benefits
Ongoing evaluations to maintain competitive salaries and benefits o New Hire Orientation Program
o Structure new hire orientation to assist in the successful integration o Flexible Schedule
o Positive and Productive Workplace Culture
These efforts are continuously evaluated, with adjustments based on employee and applicant feedback.
Next Steps
Currently, the City has not identified any changes to existing policies or procedures that negatively impact our hiring or retention efforts. However, we remain committed to evaluating and adjusting our strategies to meet the evolving needs of the City’s priorities and goals, as well as its customers.
Legal Review:
This report has been reviewed by the City Attorney’s Office.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact on the General Fund with this action.
ATTACHMENT:
1. Assembly Bill 2561
574
Assembly Bill No. 2561
CHAPTER 409
An act to add Section 3502.3 to the Government Code, relating to public employment.
[Approved by Governor September 22, 2024. Filed with
Secretary of State September 22, 2024.]
legislative counsel’s digest
AB 2561, McKinnor. Local public employees: vacant positions.
Existing law, the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act (act), authorizes local public employees, as defined, to form, join, and participate in the activities of employee organizations of their own choosing for the purpose of representation on matters of labor relations. The act requires the governing body of a public agency to meet and confer in good faith regarding wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment with representatives of recognized employee organizations and to consider fully presentations that are made by the employee organization on behalf of its members before arriving at a determination of policy or course of action.
This bill would, as specified, require a public agency to present the status of vacancies and recruitment and retention efforts at a public hearing at least once per fiscal year, and would entitle the recognized employee organization to present at the hearing. If the number of job vacancies within a single bargaining unit meets or exceeds 20% of the total number of authorized full-time positions, the bill would require the public agency, upon request of the recognized employee organization, to include specified information during the public hearing. By imposing new duties on local public agencies, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would also include related legislative findings.
The California Constitution requires local agencies, for the purpose of ensuring public access to the meetings of public bodies and the writings of public officials and agencies, to comply with a statutory enactment that amends or enacts laws relating to public records or open meetings and contains findings demonstrating that the enactment furthers the constitutional requirements relating to this purpose.
This bill would make legislative findings to that effect.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions for costs mandated by the state pursuant to this act, but would recognize that a local agency or school district may pursue any available remedies to seek reimbursement for these costs.
92 STATE OF CALIFORNIA
AUTHENTICATED
ELECTRONIC LEGAL MATERIAL
575
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares as follows:
(a) Job vacancies in local government are a widespread and significant problem for the public sector affecting occupations across wage levels and educational requirements.
(b) High job vacancies impact public service delivery and the workers who are forced to handle heavier workloads, with understaffing leading to burnout and increased turnover that further exacerbate staffing challenges. (c) There is a statewide interest in ensuring that public agency operations are appropriately staffed and that high vacancy rates do not undermine public employee labor relations.
SEC. 2. Section 3502.3 is added to the Government Code, to read:
3502.3. (a) (1) A public agency shall present the status of vacancies and recruitment and retention efforts during a public hearing before the governing board at least once per fiscal year.
(2) If the governing board will be adopting an annual or multiyear budget during the fiscal year, the presentation shall be made prior to the adoption of the final budget.
(3) During the hearing, the public agency shall identify any necessary changes to policies, procedures, and recruitment activities that may lead to obstacles in the hiring process.
(b) The recognized employee organization for a bargaining unit shall be entitled to make a presentation at the public hearing at which the public agency presents the status of vacancies and recruitment and retention efforts for positions within that bargaining unit.
(c) If the number of job vacancies within a single bargaining unit meets or exceeds 20 percent of the total number of authorized full-time positions, the public agency shall, upon request of the recognized employee organization, include all of the following information during the public hearing:
(1) The total number of job vacancies within the bargaining unit. (2) The total number of applicants for vacant positions within the bargaining unit.
(3) The average number of days to complete the hiring process from when a position is posted.
(4) Opportunities to improve compensation and other working conditions. (d) This section shall not prevent the governing board from holding additional public hearings about vacancies.
(e) The provisions of this section are severable. If any provision of this section or its application is held invalid, the invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.
(f) For purposes of this section, “recognized employee organization” has the same meaning as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 3501.
SEC. 3. The Legislature finds and declares that Section 2 of this act, which adds Section 3502.3 to the Government Code, furthers, within the 92 Ch. 409 — 2 —
576
meaning of paragraph (7) of subdivision (b) of Section 3 of Article I of the California Constitution, the purposes of that constitutional section as it relates to the right of public access to the meetings of local public bodies or the writings of local public officials and local agencies. Pursuant to paragraph (7) of subdivision (b) of Section 3 of Article I of the California Constitution, the Legislature makes the following findings:
It is in the public interest, and it furthers the purposes of paragraph (7) of subdivision (b) of Section (3) of Article I of the California Constitution, to ensure that information concerning public agency employment is available to the public.
SEC. 4. No reimbursement shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code for costs mandated by the state pursuant to this act. It is recognized, however, that a local agency or school district may pursue any remedies to obtain reimbursement available to it under Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) and any other law.
O
92 — 3 — Ch. 409
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578
CITY OF PALM DESERT
STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: May 22, 2025
PREPARED BY: Carlos Flores, AICP, Interim Deputy Director Development Services SUBJECT: INTRODUCE AN ORDINANCE AMENDING PALM DESERT MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 5.10 SHORT TERM RENTALS, ADOPT A POLICY FOR
SHORT-TERM RENTAL HARDSHIP EXTENSIONS FOR THE ESTATE
RESIDENTIAL ZONE, AND MAKING A FINDING OF EXEMPTION UNDER CEQA
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Hold a public hearing and introduce an Ordinance entitled, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, UPDATING CHAPTER 5.10
SHORT-TERM RENTALS TO UPDATE REGULATIONS FOR THE ESTATE RESIDENTIAL (RE) ZONE AND MAKING A FINDING OF EXEMPTION UNDER CEQA.”
2. Adopt a Resolution entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING A CONSOLIDATED POLICY FOR SHORTTERM RENTAL HARDSHIP EXTENSIONS FOR THE TERMINATION AND
AMORTIZATION OF SHORT-TERM RENTALS WITHIN THE HILLSIDE PLANNED RESIDENTIAL (HPR) AND ESTATE RESIDENTIAL (RE) ZONES”
BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS:
Background on Short-Term Rental (STR) Updates
Staff has met with the Ad Hoc City Council Short-Term Rental (STR) Subcommittee over the past six months to propose an update to Chapter 5.10 of the STR Ordinance. The attached ordinance reflects the outcome of those discussions and includes several key changes to Chapter 5.10 Short-Term Rentals as follows:
Key Ordinance Updates
On October 10, 2024, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 1417, which made it clear that STR rules for Planned Residential (PR) areas also apply to Hillside Planned Residential (HPR) areas. It confirmed that off-site STRs (where owner does not stay at the property during the rental) are only allowed in HPR zones if the property is in a Homeowners Association (HOA).
On April 17, 2025, the committee met again to review two new concerns:
1. Estate Residential (RE) Zone: A homeowner raised concern about large STRs on 1-acre lots in the RE zone. These large homes (such as 5-bedroom properties) were starting to feel more like mini-hotels and could change the quiet, residential feel of the neighborhood. 579
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STR Code Update and Hardship Policy
2. New HOAs in HPR Zones: Some were concerned that HOAs might be newly created just to allow off-site STRs in the HPR zone.
To address this, the committee suggested updating the RE zone STR rules to match those in the PR and HPR zones. They also recommended that only HOAs that existed as of October 2024 in the HPR zone can allow off-site STRs—not any created after that date. These changes mirror updates made in other parts of the STR code and reflect the City’s continued effort to ensure fair and consistent regulations across all zones Below is a summary of proposed Ordinance changes (Attachment 1):
Municipal Code
Section
Current Ordinance Proposed Ordinance
5.10.070 (A)(1)(a)
On-Site Short-Term
Rentals
Allows on-site Short-Term
Rentals in “Estate Residential
District (RE)”
Allows on-site Short-Term Rentals in
“Estate Residential District (RE), except
when governed by a Functioning HOA
and the owner is prohibited under the
current Declaration of Covenants,
Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs) of
the Functioning HOA to operate a shortterm rental or prohibited by State law”
5.10.070 (B)(1)(a)
Off-Site Short-Term
Rentals
Allows off-site Short-Term
Rentals in “Estate Residential
District (RE)”
Allows off-site Short-Term Rentals in
“Estate Residential District (RE), if
governed by a Functioning HOA that is
established and functioning as of June
30, 2025, and the owner is permitted
under state law or the current
Declaration of Covenants, Conditions,
and Restrictions (CC&Rs) of the
Functioning HOA to operate a shortterm rental”
5.10.070 (B)(1)(c)
Off-Site Short-Term
Rentals
Allows off-site Short-Term
Rentals in “Hillside Planned
Residential District (HPR), if
governed by a Functioning
HOA and the owner is
permitted under state law or
the current Declaration of
Covenants, Conditions, and
Restrictions (CC&Rs) of the
Allows off-site Short-Term Rentals in
“Hillside Planned Residential District
(HPR), if governed by a Functioning
HOA that is established and functioning
as of June 30, 2025, and the owner is
permitted under state law or the current
Declaration of Covenants, Conditions,
and Restrictions (CC&Rs) of the
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STR Code Update and Hardship Policy
Functioning HOA to operate a
short-term rental”
Functioning HOA to operate a shortterm rental”
5.10.080
Off-Site Short-Term
Rentals prohibited
in HPR zone
“Off-Site Short-Term Rentals
prohibited in HPR zone” “Off-site short-term rentals prohibited in HPR and RE zones”
5.10.080 (A) “A new off-site short-term
rental permit within the HPR
zone will not be issued”
“A new off-site short-term rental permit
within the HPR or RE zone will not be
issued.”
5.10.080 (B) “Existing off-site short-term
rental permits in the HPR
zone may be renewed if
otherwise qualified, but all
such off-site short-term rental
permits shall terminate, and
such uses permanently
cease operation, by
December 31, 2026.”
“Existing off-site short-term rental
permits in the HPR or RE zone may be
renewed if otherwise qualified, but all
such off-site short-term rental permits
shall terminate, and such uses
permanently cease operation, by the
following dates: December 31, 2026 for
short-term rental permits in the HPR
zone and June 30, 2027 for short-term
rental permits in the RE zone.”
5.10.080 (C)
“If an existing off-site shortterm rental permit is revoked pursuant to this chapter, and
the short-term rental unit is
located in the HPR zone, then
a new permit will not be
issued.”
“If an existing off-site short-term rental
permit is revoked pursuant to this
chapter, and the short-term rental unit is
located in the HPR or RE zone, then a
new permit will not be issued.”
STR Hardship Policy Changes (Attachment 2)
Also on October 10, 2024, the City Council approved Resolution No. 2024-077, which created a hardship extension policy for HPR zone STRs. This lets some STR owners apply for more time before their permits expire. The new proposal expands that same policy to the RE zone, again keeping the rules consistent across zoning districts.
Key Policy Changes:
1. Adds RE zone to the Hardship Extension Policy
o The 13 existing off-site STRs in the RE zone can apply for a hardship extension, if they meet the criteria.
o All other off-site STRs in RE must end by June 30, 2027. o If a permit is revoked in the RE zone, no new permit will be issued for that property. 581
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Legal Review:
This report has been reviewed by the City Attorney’s Office.
Public Notice: A ten-day public hearing notice for this item was published in the Desert Sun newspaper on Friday, May 9, 2025. Additionally, staff mailed courtesy notices to the thirteen (13) off-site STR properties located in the RE zone.
Environment Review:
It has been determined that this agenda item is exempt from CEQA review pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3), known as the “common sense” exemption. This determination is based on the clear assessment that there is no possibility the ordinance may have a significant effect on the environment. The ordinance primarily provides administrative clarifications regarding where short-term rentals are permitted, focusing on specific residential zoning areas without expanding land use or initiating new developments, thereby maintaining existing environmental baselines.
It ensures operational continuity for existing short-term rentals through defined phasing out periods for specific permits, thereby preventing abrupt changes in land use intensity. The adjustments are administrative in nature and do not involve any construction, physical alterations, or increases in development intensity. The ordinance reaffirms current use regulations and does not alter existing physical environmental conditions or promote increased development, thus qualifying for the CEQA “common sense” exemption as it bears no potential for significant environmental impact.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The proposed amendments to Palm Desert Municipal Code Chapter 5.10 concerning ShortTerm Rentals, along with the adoption of a policy for hardship extensions in the RE Zone, may impact the City financially in both the short and long term. Revenue from the Transit Occupancy Tax (TOT) and the Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) assessments might fluctuate due to the regulatory changes. While a decrease in STR permits could temporarily reduce TOT and TBID income, this impact will be minor as the City has not collected significant revenue from off-site STRs in the RE Zone. Any administrative costs associated with implementing these ordinance changes and processing hardship extension applications will likely be managed with existing budget allocations, as the current staff and resources are expected to handle the adjustment without requiring additional funding. While no significant one-time expenditures are foreseen, ongoing enforcement and application processing will be recurring expenses. As a result, these expenditures are expected to remain within the current budget, assuming operational efficiencies are maintained.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Draft Ordinance - Chapter 5.10 Amendment
2. Draft Resolution – Hardship Extension Policy
3. Public Hearing Notice
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ORDINANCE NO. 2025-
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA UPDATING CHAPTER 5.10
SHORT-TERM RENTALS TO UPDATE REGULATIONS
FOR THE ESTATE RESIDENTIAL (RE) ZONE AND
MAKING A FINDING OF EXEMPTION UNDER CEQA.
City Attorney’s Summary
The purpose of this ordinance is to amend Palm Desert Municipal Code Chapter 5.10 Short-Term Rentals to clarify and update regulations, phase out off-site short-term rental permits in the Estate Residential (RE) zone, and ensure consistency with existing regulations for the Hillside Planned Residential (HPR) zone.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Amendment to Municipal Code. Section 5.10.070 Short-term rental permit—permitted zones and prohibited unit types of Chapter 5.10 Short-Term Rentals of the Palm Desert Municipal Code is amended to read as follows:
“5.10.070 Short-term rental permit—permitted zones and prohibited unit types.
A. On-Site Short-Term Rentals.
1. Permitted Residential Zones:
a. Estate Residential District (RE), except when governed by a Functioning HOA and the owner is prohibited under the
current Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and
Restrictions (CC&Rs) of the Functioning HOA to operate a short-term rental or prohibited by State law;
b. Single-Family/Mobile Home Residential District (R-1M); c. Single-Family Residential District (R-1);
d. Single-Family Residential District (R-2);
e. Multifamily Residential District (R-3);
f. Hillside Planned Residential District (HPR), except when governed by a Functioning HOA and the owner is prohibited under the current Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs) of the Functioning HOA to operate a short-term rental or prohibited by State law;
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g. Planned Residential District (PR), except when governed by a Functioning HOA and the owner is prohibited under the current Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&Rs) of the Functioning HOA to operate a short-term
rental or prohibited under state law;
h. Downtown Edge Transition Overlay (DEO);
i. Downtown Edge District (DE);
j. Downtown (D).
2. Prohibited Unit Types in All Zones:
a. Apartments;
b. Accessory dwelling units;
c. Junior accessory dwelling units;
d. Units with one bedroom or less.
B. Off-Site Short-Term Rentals.
1. Permitted Residential Zones:
a. Estate Residential District (RE), if governed by a Functioning HOA that is established and functioning as of June 30, 2025, and the owner is permitted under state law or the current Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions
(CC&Rs) of the Functioning HOA to operate a short-term
rental;
b. Multifamily Residential District (R-3);
c. Hillside Planned Residential District (HPR), if governed by a Functioning HOA that is established and functioning as of June 30, 2025, and the owner is permitted under state law or the current Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and
Restrictions (CC&Rs) of the Functioning HOA to operate a short-term rental;
d. Planned Residential District (PR), if governed by a
Functioning HOA and the owner is permitted under state law or the current Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs) of the Functioning HOA to operate a short-term rental;
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e. Downtown Edge Transition Overlay (DEO);
f. Downtown Edge District (DE);
g. Downtown (D).
2. Prohibited Unit Types in All Zones:
a. Apartments;
b. Accessory dwelling units;
c. Junior accessory dwelling units.”
SECTION 2. Amendment to Municipal Code. Section 5.10.080 Off-site shortterm rentals prohibited in HPR zone of Chapter 5.10 Short-Term Rentals of the Palm Desert Municipal Code is renamed and amended as follows:
“5.10.080 Off-site short-term rentals prohibited in HPR and RE zones.
A. A new off-site short-term rental permit within the HPR or RE zone will not be issued.
B. Existing off-site short-term rental permits in the HPR or RE zone may be renewed if otherwise qualified, but all such off-site short-term rental permits shall terminate, and such uses permanently cease operation, by the following dates: December 31, 2026 for short-term rental permits in the HPR zone and June 30, 2027 for short-term rental permits in the RE zone.
C. If an existing off-site short-term rental permit is revoked pursuant to this chapter, and the short-term rental unit is located in the HPR or RE zone, then a new permit will not be issued.”
SECTION 3. CEQA Exemption. The City Council finds that this ordinance is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), known as the “common sense” exemption. This determination is based on the clear assessment that there is no possibility the ordinance may have a significant effect on the environment. The ordinance provides administrative clarifications regarding where short-term rentals are permitted, focusing on the Estate Residential (RE) zone without expanding land use or initiating new developments, thereby maintaining existing environmental baselines. It ensures operational continuity for existing short-term rentals through defined phasing-out periods for specific permits, preventing abrupt changes in land use intensity. The adjustments are administrative in nature and do not involve construction, physical alterations, or increases in development intensity, thus qualifying for the CEQA “common sense” exemption.
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SECTION 4. Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance. The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed this ordinance, and each section, subsection, sentence, clause and phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses or phrases be declared invalid.
SECTION 5. Posting and Publication. The City Clerk of the City of Palm Desert, California, is hereby directed to publish a summary of this Ordinance in the Desert Sun, a newspaper of general circulation, published and circulated in the City of Palm Desert, California, and shall be in full force and effective thirty (30) days after its adoption.
ADOPTED ON___________________, 2025.
JAN HARNIK
MAYOR
ATTEST:
ANTHONY J. MEJIA
CITY CLERK
I, Anthony J. Mejia, City Clerk of the City of Palm Desert, California, do hereby certify that Ordinance No. ____ is a full, true, and correct copy, and was introduced at a regular meeting of the Palm Desert City Council on ________ , 2025, and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council held on __________, 2025, 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 __________________ .
ANTHONY J. MEJIA
CITY CLERK
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588
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM
DESERT, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING A CONSOLIDATED POLICY FOR
SHORT-TERM RENTAL HARDSHIP EXTENSIONS FOR THE
TERMINATION AND AMORTIZATION OF SHORT-TERM RENTALS
WITHIN THE HILLSIDE PLANNED RESIDENTIAL (HPR) AND ESTATE
RESIDENTIAL (RE) ZONES
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Palm Desert, California, on May 22, 2025, considered adopting a consolidated policy for short-term rental hardship extensions for the termination and amortization of off-site short-term rentals in the Hillside Planned Residential (HPR) and Estate Residential (RE) zones, updating the policy previously adopted for the HPR zone under Resolution No. 2024-077; and WHEREAS, pursuant to the authority granted to the City of Palm Desert (“City”) by Article XI, Section 7 of the California Constitution, the City has the police power to regulate the use of land and property within the City in a manner designed to promote public convenience and general prosperity, as well as public health, welfare, and safety; and WHEREAS, according to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the City must determine whether a proposed activity is a project subject to CEQA. If the project is subject to CEQA, staff must conduct a preliminary assessment of the project to determine whether the project is exempt from CEQA review. If a project is not exempt, further environmental review is necessary. The application has complied with the requirements of the “2024 Local Guidelines for Implementing the California Environmental Quality Act for the City of Palm Desert” Resolution No. 2024-035, in that the Director of Development Services has determined that the policy for short-term rental hardship extensions is exempt from CEQA review pursuant to Section 15061(b)3 in that the amendments to further regulate the use of short-term rentals will not have a significant negative impact on the environment; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Palm Desert, California has determined that the proposed policy, is consistent with the General Plan and applicable state law; and WHEREAS, at said meeting, and considering all testimony and arguments, if any, of all interested persons desiring to be heard, said City Council did find the following facts and reasons to exist to approve said resolution:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Palm Desert, California as follows:
SECTION 1. The City Council hereby adopts the foregoing recitals as its findings in support of the following regulations to add a hardship extension process and further finds that the following regulations, including the eventual elimination of off-site short-term rentals in the HPR and RE zones, are beneficial and appropriate to protect the health, safety and welfare of the residents and businesses of Palm Desert within the City limits. 589
SECTION 2. The City Council hereby adopts the Consolidated Policy for Hardship Extensions attached hereto as Exhibit “A,” which shall apply to off-site short-term rental permits in both the HPR and RE zones, superseding the policy adopted under Resolution No. 2024-077 for the HPR zone.
ADOPTED ON ________________ 2025
JAN HARNIK
MAYOR
ATTEST:
ANTHONY J. MEIJA
CITY CLERK
I, Anthony J. Mejia, City Clerk of the City of Palm Desert, hereby certify that Resolution No. 2025-__ is a full, true, and correct copy, and was duly adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Desert on _____________________ , 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 .
ANTHONY J. MEJIA
CITY CLERK
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Exhibit “A”
CONSOLIDATED POLICY FOR HARDSHIP EXTENSIONS
PURSUANT TO PDMC SECTION 5.10.080
A. If an owner believes that termination of the short-term rental use by the applicable zone’s termination date (December 31, 2026, for the HPR zone; June 30, 2027 for the RE zone) will not provide the owner a reasonable period within which to recover the costs that the owner reasonably invested for short-term rental use, and that such costs cannot be recovered once the short-term rental use is terminated, the owner may apply to the director of development services for a hardship extension. The application for a hardship extension shall be made, processed, and acted on in accordance with the following provisions:
1. The hardship extension is available only to short-term rental owners who have consistently paid the Transit Occupancy Tax (TOT) and Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) assessment to the city. If no TOT or TBID payments have been made to the city for a period greater than half of the permit’s effective duration, it will be presumed that no hardship exists.
2. The department of development services will receive applications for hardship extensions according to the following schedules for each zone:
(a) Hillside Planned Residential (HPR) Zone: Applications began being accepted on December 1, 2024. An application will be reviewed for completeness and the owner will be notified of any deficiencies, or that the application is complete, within thirty (30) days. The city will endeavor to complete review, hear appeals and make a final determination within five (5) months of receipt of a complete application, assuming the owner reasonably cooperates in the process. Consequently, owners desiring a final decision by December 31, 2026 should have a complete application on file by no later than August 1, 2026.
(b) Estate Residential (RE) Zone: Applications will begin being accepted on July 1, 2025. An application will be reviewed for completeness, and the owner will be notified of any deficiencies, or that the application is complete, within thirty (30) days. The city will endeavor to complete review, hear appeals, and make a final determination within five (5) months of receipt of a complete application, assuming the owner reasonably cooperates in the process. Consequently, owners desiring a final decision by June 30, 2027, should have a complete application on file by no later than February 1, 2027.
An extension of a short-term rental permit past the applicable termination date (December 31, 2026 for HPR; June 30, 2027 for RE) will not be granted simply because an application for a Hardship Extension is pending.
3. The owner shall sign the application under penalty of perjury. The application shall set forth the amount of additional time that the owner contends is 591
necessary, beyond the applicable termination date (December 31, 2026 for HPR; June 30, 2027 for RE) to recover the costs that the owner reasonably invested for short-term rental use and that cannot be recovered once the short-term rental use is terminated. The application shall fully set forth the owner’s justification for such additional time and shall include, along with whatever other information the owner believes to be relevant, the following information.
(a) Internal Revenue Service Schedule E (Supplemental Income and Loss), Schedule C (Net Profit from Business (Sole Proprietorship), or a Schedule K1 (Partner’s Share of Current Year Income, Deductions, Credits, and Other Items) from Owner’s federal income tax returns for the years since commencement of operation of the Short-Term rental.
(b) Depreciation Schedule from the most recent income tax year showing the depreciable basis in the short-term rental, as well as any depreciable improvements or assets used it the Short-Term rental.
(c) The date that the property was acquired by the owner, the price and other terms of the acquisition that materially affected the price, the closing escrow documents, and the purpose for which the property was acquired by the owner. If the property was acquired by a means other than an arms-length purchase (including without limitation a gift or inheritance), then the owner shall provide information concerning the most recent arms-length purchase involving the property and the fair market value of the property on the date of owner’s acquisition. (d) Finance terms of the short-term rental, if financed, documenting amount financed, interest rate and term of financing.
(e) Each use that the owner has made of the property since the owner’s acquisition and the period of each such use, indicating the start and end date for each consecutive use, including each period of personal use, each period of compensated use by friends or other acquaintances, each short-term rental tenancy, each long-term rental tenancy, each period in which the property was put to some other use, and each period in which the property was left vacant and unused. The owner should also include the following information for each use period:
(1) the number of days in each use period (end date less start date),
(2) the amount of rent or other charges collected,
(3) the amount of transient occupancy tax remitted to the city,
(4) the amount of tourism business improvement district assessments remitted to the city,
(5) the expenses directly associated with that period of use (including but not limited to commission fees).
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(f) A detailed listing of expenditures made by the owner for capital improvements to the property for the purpose of putting the property to short-term rental use, since it was acquired, including the purpose of each expenditure, the amount, the date, the payee, and any other relevant information for each expenditure. The owner shall provide receipts, executed contracts, or other written proof of each expenditure. (g) A detailed listing of expenditures made by the owner for capital improvements to the property other than those made for the purpose of putting the property to short-term rental use, since it was acquired, including the purpose of each expenditure, the amount, the date, the payee, and any other relevant information for each expenditure. The owner shall provide receipts, executed contracts, or other written proof of the each expenditure.
(h) A detailed listing of all expenditures, other than for capital expenditures, incurred by the owner for the purpose of putting the property to short-term rental use, including the purpose of each expenditure, the amount, the date, the payee and any other relevant information for each expenditure. The owner shall provide receipts, contracts, or other written proof of each expenditure.
(i) A detailed projection of the income and expenses that are anticipated if the requested hardship extension is approved. (j) An identification and description of any contract with a third party that commits the property to a future short-term rental use, including the dates of the committed use, the rent to be charged for the use, any other amount to be charged or paid (e.g., cleaning fees, commissions, transient-occupancy tax), and any other relevant information relating to the contracted future use. The owner shall provide written evidence of the contracts identified.
(k) An identification and description of any long-term
commitment, whether a lease, mortgage, or other commitment, that has been made by the owner in reliance on the ability to use the property for short-term rental purposes. The owner shall provide written documentation for each such commitment. (l) The fair market value (“FMV”) of the short-term rental property within six (6) months of the application. The owner shall provide the factual basis and analysis substantiating the FMV, including comparable-sales information, incomeapproach elements, and cost-approach elements. (m) A financial analysis demonstrating the amount of time that will be required for the owner to recover the costs reasonably invested for short-term rental use to the extent that such costs could not already have been reasonably recovered during the period of short-term rental use of the property and cannot be recovered once the short-term rental use is terminated. The analysis should identify reference sources for each item of data included and set forth the basis for each assumption made. The director of development services may provide the owner with a requested form or format for the financial analysis, and if provided, such form or format shall be completed and submitted by the owner.
4. After receiving a timely filed application, the director of development services may request any additional information that the director deems in his or her 593
discretion to be reasonably necessary to ascertain relevant facts and circumstances; and, if requested, the owner shall provide the requested information within thirty (30) calendar days of the director’s request, unless the director provides for a longer period. The director may deem an application to be incomplete, and return it to the owner for additional information, if the information set forth in the application or requested by the director is not provided in a manner that is comprehensive and understandable and that demonstrates how the factual information provided leads to the conclusion that the requested hardship extension is necessary. If an application is returned as incomplete, the owner shall correct the deficiencies and provide the requested information within thirty (30) calendar days of the director’s request, unless the director expressly provides in writing for a longer period.
The director, in his or her sole and absolute discretion, may waive one or more of the items listed above if he or she determines that the purpose and intent of this policy can be adequately achieved without the submittal of such item or items, but no waiver shall be effective unless in writing and signed by the director.
5. The burden shall be on the owner to establish the need and grounds for a hardship extension and to establish the reasonableness of the requested duration of the extension. An owner’s failure to produce appropriate information or documentation shall be grounds for denying or reducing a hardship extension. Any alleged hardship that is based on action or expenditures not reasonably taken or made in light of the circumstances, shall not be grounds for an extension. Any expense for modification or improvement of the shortterm rental property that was incurred after the applicable ordinance adoption date for the respective zone (October 10, 2024 for the HPR zone; May 22, 2025 for the RE Zone), shall be presumed not to be reasonably incurred unless (i) the owner proves that the expense was reasonably necessary to operate the short-term rental in a way that would ultimately reduce the duration of the extension otherwise necessary by allowing for a quicker recovery of the owner’s qualifying costs, or (ii) the expense was incurred to satisfy a requirement of the city for the continued use and operation of the property.
6. The director of development services shall approve an extension upon determining that the owner has shown that since the commencement of the use of the owner’s property as a short-term rental property, the owner has not had and will not have by the applicable termination date (December 31, 2026 for HPR; June 30, 2027 for RE) a reasonable period of time within which to recover the costs that the owner reasonably invested for short-term rental use, and that those costs cannot be recovered once the short-term rental use is terminated.
7. In determining whether the owner has had and will have a reasonable period for recovery of costs, the director of development services shall consider the period of time that the owner has had for short-term rental use since the owner began to incur such costs, as well as the time available for continued short-term rental use until the applicable termination date (December 31, 2026 for HPR; June 30, 2027 for RE). In addition to the information contained in the application submitted by the owner, the director of development services may consider such additional competent and relevant information that the director may obtain by staff investigation or from other sources as the director may choose to consult or obtain; however, the director shall not be obligated to conduct any independent investigation or to seek information outside the scope of the owner’s application. Upon request of the director, the owner shall be reasonably available to respond to questions or to review and discuss relevant information. 594
8. In considering the application and making a decision, the director of development services may take into account all relevant information that relates to the determination of whether the owner has had or will have a reasonable period of time to recover the costs that the owner reasonably invested for short-term rental use, and to the possibility that the costs can be recovered before the short-term rental use is terminated, including but not limited to any of the following matters:
(a) The information submitted in the owner’s application. (b) The period of time that the owner has had for short-term rental use since the owner began to incur such costs.
(c) The amount of investment or original cost incurred by the owner.
(d) The income potential of the property since it was allowed to be used for short-term rental purposes and the income actually received by the owner from short-term rental use since it was allowed to be used for short-term rental purposes. (e) Any amortization or depreciation of the improvements to the property that has been prepared for tax purposes and any tax benefit that the owner might have derived from claiming depreciation.
(f) The extent of the owner’s investment that is unique to the short-term rental use and does not serve any conforming use of the property. (g) The extent of the owner’s investment that could not be recovered on sale of the property.
(h) The owner’s investment-backed expectations in light of current and pending regulation at the time that the investment was made. (i) The replacement cost of improvements that might have been made that only serve the short-term rental use; and the length of time that the owner has had the benefit of the investment before the termination of the use. (j) Any other information that bears on the reasonable period of time for the owner of a terminating short-term rental to recover the costs reasonably invested for short-term rental use.
9. A decision by the director of development services to deny an application for a hardship extension, in whole or in part, or to limit the duration of an extension to a shorter period than requested by the owner, may be appealed to the city manager. At the city manager’s option, a hearing may be conducted by a hearing officer appointed by the city manager or the city manager may conduct her or his own independent review. The deadline for filing an appeal shall be thirty (30) calendar days after the date that the written notice of the director of development services’ decision is mailed (via first class delivery) to the owner. Such an appeal may be filed only if the owner 595
timely submitted a complete application to the director of development services for a hardship extension.
10. If appointed by the city manager, the hearing officer shall conduct an independent analysis of the information already submitted in the matter to the director of development services and, at the hearing officer’s discretion, a hearing; however, neither the city nor the owner may submit additional information to the hearing officer other than that which was submitted to the director of development services in connection with the owner’s application for hardship extension, except to the extent the information: (i) could not have reasonably been provided to the director of development services with the application; (ii) is necessary to rebut or respond to information submitted by the other party or any other person to the director of development services; or (iii) in response to a request by the hearing officer. The hearing officer’s recommendation shall be based on all relevant information, including the categories of information set forth in this section. The burden shall be on the owner to establish the need and grounds for the hardship extension and to establish the reasonableness of the requested duration of the extension.
Any hardship that is based on actions or expenditures not reasonably taken or incurred in light of the circumstances shall not be grounds for an extension based on the criteria provided in this section. The recommendation of the hearing officer shall be considered by the city manager, who may adopt or modify the recommendation of the hearing officer.
Whether or not a hearing officer was appointed, the decision of the city manager shall be final.
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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
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT A PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE HELD BEFORE THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, TO CONSIDER FIRST READING AND INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 5.10 SHORT TERM
RENTALS, ADOPT A POLICY FOR SHORT-TERM RENTAL HARDSHIP EXTENSIONS FOR
THE RESIDENTIAL ESTATE ZONE, AND FINDING THE PROJECT IS EXEMPT FROM
FURTHER ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
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 State CEQA Guidelines Section §15061(b)(3).
PROJECT LOCATION: Citywide
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The project is an Ordinance amending Palm Desert Municipal Code Chapter 5.10, Short Term Rentals and adopt a policy for short-term rental hardship extensions for the Residential Estate Zone. The project would remove allowances for off-site short-term rental permits within the Residential Estate zone, unless qualified under the hardship extension. The project would also remove allowances for short-term rentals in the hillside planned residential district within a HOA and clarify timing of expirations.
PUBLIC HEARING: NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Palm Desert, California, will hold a Public Hearing at its meeting on May 22, 2025. 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.
COMMENT ON THIS APPLICATION: Those wishing to comment on this application may either appear in person at the public hearing or submit written comments, which must be received by 10:00 a.m. on the day of the hearing. Written comments should be sent to the City of Palm Desert at 73510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, California 92260, Attention: City Clerk, or emailed to: [email protected].
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 Damian Olivares (760) 346-0611.
PUBLISH: THE DESERT SUN ANTHONY MEJIA, MMC, CITY CLERK
MAY 9, 2025 CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA
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