A. 
The purpose of Chapters 17.64 through 17.140 is to outline procedures for filing and processing the various land use permits, subdivision maps, variances and other regulatory review and approval responsibilities of the City. Chapters 17.64 through 17.140 also provide for the review and processing of development agreements, amendments to the general plan and this zoning ordinance.
B. 
The system of regulatory review and permit approval provides a full range of processing options gauged to the type of use and its intensity and appropriateness. Table 17.64.01 (Review Authority) identifies the full range of land use permit options and applicable final review authority. Appeals of Director determinations are to the Planning Commission and appeals of Planning Commission determinations are to the City Council.
Table 17.64.01
REVIEW AUTHORITY
Type of Application
Applicable Code Section
Director
Planning Commission
City Council
Ministerial (Staff Level)
 
 
 
 
Certificate of Occupancy
17.72
X
 
 
Development Permits – Administrative
Single-family Residential Housing – 1 structure
17.92
X
 
 
Antennae1
17.40.060
X
 
 
Fences and Walls
17.40.110
X
 
 
Large Family Day Care
17.08.070
X
 
 
Development Permits – Minor
 
 
 
 
Minor Additions to existing Commercial or Industrial Buildings
17.92
X
 
 
Home Occupation Permits
17.108
X
 
 
Interpretations (Zoning Ordinance)
17.112
X
 
 
Landscape Plans
17.56
X
 
 
Lot Line or Boundary Adjustment
16.20.110
X4
 
 
Minor Exceptions
17.116
X
 
 
Minor Modifications
17.120
X
 
 
Sign Permits
17.44
X
 
 
Temporary Use Permits1
17.136
X
 
 
Tree Removal
17.56.090
X
 
 
Zoning Compliance/Approval
Accessory Structures in Residential Zones not Requiring a Building Permit
 
X
 
 
Building Color Modifications on Nonresidential Buildings1
 
X
 
 
Tenant Improvements/Occupancy Permit for Nonresidential Uses (where no other approval required)
 
X
 
 
Quasi-Judicial
Administrative Conditional Use Permit
17.74
X
 
 
Conditional Use Permits
17.76
 
X
 
Design Review – If Required by a Specific Plan or Conditions of Approval
17.80
 
X
 
Development Permits – Major
 
 
 
 
Residential
 
 
 
 
Single-family housing – Subdivision
17.92
 
X
 
Multifamily Housing (2 to 4 units)
17.92; 17.08.140; 17.08.270 to 17.08.290
X
(X)
 
Multifamily Housing (5 units or more)
17.92; 17.08.140; 17.08.270 to 17.08.290
 
X
 
Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional
 
 
 
 
New Construction on Vacant Lot
17.92
 
X
 
All Other Improvements, other than those listed above subject Zoning Compliance/Approval
17.92
 
X
 
Recycling Facilities
17.92
 
X
 
Final Maps
16.20
 
 
X
General Plan Interpretations
17.112
 
X
 
Reversions to Acreage2
16.20.120
 
X
 
Sign Program
17.44
 
X
 
Tentative Parcel Maps
16.20
 
X
 
Variances
17.140
 
X
 
Legislative
 
 
 
 
Development Agreements
17.84
 
 
X
General Plan Amendments
17.100
 
(X)3
X
Planned Development Districts
17.36
 
(X)3
X
Specific Plans
17.128
 
(X)3
X
Surface Mining and Land Reclamation
17.132
 
(X)3
X
Tentative Tract Maps
16.24, 16.28
 
(X)3
X
Zoning Ordinance Amendments
17.88
 
(X)3
X
Notes:
1
The Director has the authority to refer Director level approval application to the Planning Commission.
2
The merger of four or fewer parcels is subject to approval by the City Engineer, pursuant to Section 16.20.100.
3
The Planning Commission recommends to the City Council for final determination.
(Prior code § 159.31.010; Ord. 712 6-2-20)
A. 
CEQA Compliance. Environmental compliance pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act shall be approved or denied by the person/board who has “review authority” pursuant to Table 17.64.01, as may be amended. For development projects that do not need to go to Planning Commission or City Council, those development projects shall be approved or denied by the person having “review authority.” Any approval or denial of environmental review can be appealed pursuant to Chapter 17.104, “Hearings and Appeals,” of the Desert Hot Springs Municipal Code.
B. 
Multiple-Permit Applications. Development projects that require the filing of more than one land use permit application may file all related permits concurrently and pay appropriate fees. Processing and environmental review may be concurrent. The final decision on the project shall be made by the highest level of review authority.
(Prior code § 159.31.020; Ord. 730 2-16-21)
Applicants and/or their representatives may request a pre-application conference with the Department prior to formal submittal of a single land use permit application. Development projects involving multiple permit applications shall require a pre-application conference. This conference should take place prior to any substantial investment (i.e., land acquisition, site, engineering and construction plans) in the preparation of the proposed development project application. During the conference the Department representative(s) shall inform the applicant of applicable policies, plans, and requirements as they apply to the proposed development project, review the appropriate procedures outlined in this Zoning Ordinance, and examine possible alternatives or modifications relating to the proposed project.
(Prior code § 159.31.030)
Any application submitted by an applicant for any permit, license or otherwise, under Title 17, shall be considered abandoned and of no force and effect if the applicant is inactive for 180 days.
(Ord. 724 10-6-20)