Every three years the California Building Standards Commission reviews, adopts, and publishes the standards by which all buildings are constructed and used. These revisions address new construction technology, energy and water conservation practices, and green sustainable building construction.

Effective January 1, 2023, the 2022 California Building Standards Code are in effect. These include:

• 2022 California Building and Residential Codes; the 2022 California Plumbing, Mechanical and Electrical Codes; and the 2022 California Energy, Green Building Standards, and Fire Code.

• The City of Palm Desert has adopted Ordinance 1388 with an effective date of January 15, 2023, which include amendments to certain aspects of the code. Palm Desert Municipal Code, Chapter 15, outlines all current code adoptions and amendments.

For Palm Desert Ordinance and Design Requirements, please click here.

The City has an online portal for the public to access frequently requested records, including agendas, minutes, resolutions, and ordinances. Click here to access the online public records portal.

If you are requesting protected or stamped plans, please fill out the Affidavit form and include the Architect or Engineer’s signature and send back. Please see the affidavit form for instructions.

Fire Marshal Services help protect life, property, and the community by reducing fire risks and ensuring compliance with fire and life safety regulations. In Palm Desert, the Fire Marshal works in coordination with the Riverside County Fire Department to promote fire prevention through inspections, plan reviews, investigations, and public education.

These services play a critical role in supporting safe development, business operations, and special events throughout the city.

What the Fire Marshal Does

• Conducts fire and life safety inspections of commercial and multi-family properties
• Reviews building and construction plans for fire code compliance
• Issues permits related to fire safety and hazardous materials
• Investigates fire incidents when necessary
• Supports community education and fire prevention efforts
• Reviews and approves special events for fire and life safety requirements

How to Contact Fire Marshal Services

Palm Desert City Hall
73510 Fred Waring Drive
Palm Desert, CA 92260

Office: (760) 346-0611
Email: FireMarshal@palmdesert.gov

For additional information about Fire Marshal Services and related programs, visit the Riverside County Fire Department Fire Marshal webpage.

On June 30, 2025, California enacted a moratorium on state and local building standards for residential units, effective October 1, 2025, and set to end on June 1, 2031.

The moratorium on residential building standards applies to "residential units," a term not currently defined in statutes or regulations. The California Building and Standards Commission has interpreted this to all Residential Group R occupancies, as listed in Section 310 of the California Building Code (Part 2 of Title 24), as well as detached one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses, as listed in the California Residential Code (Part 2.5 of Title 24). Specifically, the residential Group R occupancies listed in Section 310 of the CBC would include Residential Groups R-1, R-2, R-2.1, R2.2, R-3, R-3.1, and R-4.

Model Home Design Exception

AB130 says that "state and local building standards in effect at the time an application for a building permit is submitted, for a residential dwelling based on a model home design approved under those standards, shall apply to all future residential dwellings based on that approved model home design in the same jurisdiction, unless the model home design substantially changes at a later date or 10 years have passed since the building permit for the model home design was approved by the jurisdiction, whichever comes first."

The Model Home Design Exception does not include language regarding other occupancies or ancillary structures and uses (e.g., patio covers, swimming pools, walls, and fences). The City's interpretation (until the Commission provides a more definitive stance) is that these ancillary structures and uses will be reviewed and issued under the most current model code in effect at the time of application.

For Palm Desert, this means that all current building applications, plan reviews, and approved model home designs-commonly referred to as "Master Plans"-for Group R Occupancy developments will remain governed by their approved model code series for a period of 10 years or until significant changes are made.

If you have questions, please contact the Building and Safety Division at (760)776-6420 or building@palmdesert.gov.