The Cathedral City development code provides the framework for an organized, predictable and efficient development process. The development code embodies the policies and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of the general plan, specifically the land use element, and is intended to protect the public health, safety and general welfare of the residents and to provide economic and social benefits from an orderly planned use of land resources. If properly applied, these regulations can:
A. 
Improve the quality of life, business climate and built environment of Cathedral City.
B. 
Preserve natural beauty, scenic vistas, cultural and historic resources, and other desirable features of the city.
C. 
Promote circulation patterns that are safe, convenient and effective for all modes of travel.
D. 
Introduce and support sustainable development, conserve energy and protect natural resources.
E. 
Result in neighborhoods that are diverse and offer opportunities for all income levels and lifestyle options.
F. 
Remove barriers typically present for developers and those choosing to invest in the community.
(Ord. 714 § 3, 2012; Ord. 862 § 2, 2022)
The provisions of the development code apply to all properties within the municipal boundaries of Cathedral City. The city should strive to follow all the code requirements contained in the development code. However, on occasion with written authority from the city manager to waive or modify the provisions of the development code in regard to any real property, facilities and/or improvements owned by the city.
No building, or part thereof, shall hereafter be constructed, altered, or used, and no parcel of land shall be further developed, except in conformity with the provisions of this title. Furthermore, these provisions apply to any changes in occupancy of a building.
(Ord. 714 § 3, 2012; Ord. 862 § 2, 2022)
The physical boundaries of the various zoning districts indicate on the official zoning map of the city which is on file with the city clerk and is hereby a part of this title. The development code specifies the allowable uses in each zone including the more flexible form based provisions allowed in each district.
(Ord. 714 § 3, 2012; Ord. 862 § 2, 2022)
The boundaries of each zoning district shall be established by ordinance adopted by the city council, following a recommendation from the planning commission, adopting or amending the official zoning map. It is the intent to place zoning boundaries along identifiable geographic features such as property lines, streets, drainage channels, etc. Where uncertainty exists in relation to the boundaries of any zone shown upon the official zoning map or any part or unit thereof, the following rules shall apply:
A. 
Where boundaries are indicated that approximately follow street and alley lines or lot lines, such lines shall be construed to be the zone boundaries.
B. 
When property is not part of an approved subdivision map and a zone boundary divides a lot, the boundary, unless indicated by dimensions, shall be determined by scale.
C. 
Where a public street or alley is officially vacated or abandoned, the area comprising the vacation shall acquire the underlying zoning classification.
D. 
Areas of dedicated streets or alleys and railroad rights-of-way, other than such as are designated on the zoning map as being classified in one of the zones provided in this title, shall be deemed to be unclassified and, in the case of streets, permitted to be used only for purposes lawfully allowed in conjunction with the abutting property and, in the case of railroad rights-of-way, permitted to be used solely for the purpose of accommodating tracks, signals, other operative devices and the movement of rolling stocks.
(Ord. 714 § 3, 2012; Ord. 862 § 2, 2022)
In addition to the zoning districts established by this title, the following overlay districts are established which, when combined with a zoning district, establish additional special regulations which are discussed in Chapters 9.50 through 9.56:
A. 
Overlay District S – Specific Plan;
B. 
Overlay District H – Hillside Review;
C. 
Overlay District LH – Limited Height;
D. 
Overlay District P/IH – Institutional Housing;
(Ord. 714 § 3, 2012; Ord. 862 § 2, 2022)
Unincorporated territory or property adjacent to the city may be pre-zoned for the purpose of determining a zone which will apply to the property in the event of subsequent annexation. The procedure to establish a pre-zoning designation shall be the same as the process for changing zoning districts on property within the city. Unless otherwise specified at the time of annexation, the pre-zoning designation shall become effective upon annexation.
(Ord. 714 § 3, 2012; Ord. 862 § 2, 2022)
The development code includes form based principles intended to compliment traditional zoning regulations while allowing the flexibility needed to properly develop property within an existing built environment. Because such a large portion of the community has already been developed, a significant amount of future development will be infill projects or redevelopment of existing areas that are poorly developed or underdeveloped. Therefore, where appropriate, a strong emphasis will be placed on compatibility, consistency, scale, mass, circulation, safety and a harmonious built environment rather than strict adherence to a pre-established set of regulations that may not account for existing uses.
(Ord. 714 § 3, 2012; Ord. 862 § 2, 2022)
The zoning districts established by this title are intended to implement the land use element of the general plan and to establish consistency between the land use element and routine land use decisions. In order to determine this consistency, the following matrix is provided.
GENERAL PLAN LAND USE DESIGNATION
Zoning District
RE
RL
RR
RM
RM H
RH
BP
CN
CG
DTC
MU-N
MU-U
I
P
OS
RE
O
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
R1
 
O
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
R2
 
O
 
O
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
RM
 
 
 
O
O
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
R3
 
 
 
O
O
O
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
R4
 
 
 
 
 
O
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
RR
 
 
O
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PPO
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
O
O
 
O
O
 
 
 
PLC
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
O
O
 
O
O
 
 
 
PCC
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
O
 
 
 
 
 
 
CTR
 
 
O
 
O
 
 
 
O
 
 
O
 
 
 
CBP-2
 
 
 
 
 
 
O
 
 
 
 
 
O
 
 
NBP
 
 
 
 
 
 
O
O
 
 
 
O
 
 
 
BP
 
 
 
 
 
 
O
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DRN
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
O
 
 
 
 
 
MXC
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
O
 
 
 
 
 
MU-U
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
O
 
 
 
MU-N
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
O
 
 
 
 
I-1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
O
 
 
EH-LI
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
O
 
 
OS
O
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
O
O
OS-R
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
O
O
(Ord. 714 § 3, 2012; Ord. 746 § 2, 2014; Ord. 862 § 2, 2022)