If you were recently issued a permit, we’d like to ask for your feedback in the form of a quick survey. Your answers will help us find out what’s working and what’s not. Please click here to take the survey.

You can now conveniently request a refund for a building permit online through our streamlined process. This ensures that your request is handled promptly and efficiently. To initiate a refund please fill out the link below; your request will be sent to the department for review. Please note that refunds will be rejected if the request is made more than 180 days from the permit issuance date and that certain fees are non-refundable. For more detailed information, please refer to our Permit Refund Policy or contact our Development Services Center at (760) 776-6430.

• Building Permit Refund Form

To request to reinstate your expired permit please email the Development Services Center (DSC) at DSCinfo@palmdesert.gov. Please be sure to provide your permit number, project address, and contact information in your emailed request. 

California Building Code Section 105.5 provides that every permit issued by the Building & Safety Division shall become invalid when:

• The building or work authorized by such permit is not commenced within 1 year from the date of such permit, or
• The building or work authorized by such permit is suspended or abandoned at any time after the work is commenced for a period of 1 year, or
• The person or entity to which the permit is issued fails to request a first inspection within 1 year from the date the permit was issued.

To request an extension for your permit please email the Development Services Center (DSC) at DSCinfo@palmdesert.gov. Please be sure to provide your permit number, project address, and contact information in your emailed request. 

California Building Code Section 105.5 provides any person/permittee holding an unexpired permit may apply for an extension of the time within which work may commence under that permit which the permittee is unable to commence work within the time required by this section for good and satisfactory reasons.

The building official may extend the time for action by the permittee for a period not exceeding 180 days on written request by the permittee showing that circumstances beyond the control of the permittee have prevented action from being taken.

Please be advised that the following Level 1 fees become effective as of August 6, 2022:

• Commercial/Industrial: $0.78 per square foot of chargeable covered and enclosed space for commercial/industrial development, except $0.22 per square foot for rental self-storage; and
• Residential: $4.79 per square foot of assessable space for residential development.

For the complete detailed report, please click here.

The City of Palm Desert only serves Palm Desert Greens and Portola Country Club. If you live in a mobile home community and need permitting information please contact HCD (Housing Community Development) at (951) 782-4420.

The public can access services provided by Riverside County Office of the Fire Marshal at their East Office.

77933 Las Montanas Road, Suite 201,
Palm Desert, California, 92211.
Open Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (closed noon – 12:30 p.m.).

Information: 760-863-8886 or www.rvcfire.org.
Payments, status checks, and all permit-related inquiries: www.rivcoplus.org.
Inspections and submittal questions: 760-863-8886 or email.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I pay permit fees?

• You will receive an email from one of our permit technicians outlining various methods of payment including online, in-person, or via check payable to the City of Palm Desert.

How do I check the status of a permit?

• Once your application is submitted, you can track its progress in real-time, view any requested changes, receive notifications when your permit is approved or additional steps are needed, or view your permit status by logging in to your Clariti user account. 

Where can I find out specific building code questions?

• For information on the California Building Code, click here. Or you can contact the Building & Safety Department at (760) 776-6420 or building@palmdesert.gov. 

How do I schedule a Building inspection?

• Inspections are scheduled through Clariti. To schedule an inspection, log into your Clariti account. On your dashboard under “My Active Permits” find the permit you would like to schedule an inspection for and click on the “request” link, for that permit. Follow the prompts to schedule your inspection. Please click here for a step-by-step guide on how to schedule an inspection.

How do I schedule a grading or encroachment permit inspection?

• To schedule a grading or encroachment permit inspection please email pcinspections@palmdesert.gov or call (760) 776-6450.

Who can obtain a permit?

• Permits can be issued to the owner of the property or their duly authorized agent, or to an appropriately licensed contractor.  The appropriately licensed contractor must provide proof of licensing, available for verification through the California Contractors State Licensing Board and the contractor must obtain a current City of Palm Desert business license.