The General Plan is the foundation upon which all land use decisions are to be based. The General Plan is a comprehensive informational and planning guide established by State law to provide a framework for making informed decisions about the future of the community. The Plan identifies the community's land use, circulation, environmental, economic and social goals and policies as they relate to land use and development.

The General Plan and supporting environmental documentation identify concerns and issues important to the community, analyze them, and establish goals, policies, and program implementation measures that resolve or effectively address these issues.  It also provides the basis for a rational nexus to support development, mitigation measures and exactions; special studies and performance programs are also integral parts of the goals, policies, programs that assure effective implementation of the General Plan.

As adopted, the General Plan provides a progressive framework for the re-imagining of the "City Center" and vacant lands around the Universities along Cook Street. The Plan provides broad standards and guidelines for the envisioned transformation of the Highway 111 corridor into a mixed-use district complete with new landscape and pedestrian improvements, transformation of the San Pablo Avenue Corridor, and the allowance of building heights up to five-stories. The University area is also identified for the development of a multi-use and connected community that takes advantage of the proximity to the universities by providing a mix of housing choices, greater pedestrian and non-motorized transportation options, and ample open space. 

One component of the General Plan is the Housing Element. The Housing Element identifies the City’s housing conditions and needs, and establishes goals, objectives, and policies that are the foundation of the City’s housing and growth strategy. The Housing Element is one of the mandatory elements that is reviewed as part of any General Plan; and is the only Element individually certified by the State's Department of Housing and Community Development. The City's Housing Element was last certified in 2022 and is expected to be updated in 2028.

Annual Progress Reports

By April 1 every year, the City of Palm Desert must submit an annual progress report on its implementation (known as the General Plan Annual Progress Report [APR]) as well as a separate report specifically on the progress of the Housing Element (Housing Element APR) using forms and definitions adopted by the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). The reports are presented to the Planning Commission and City Council and submitted to the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research and HCD.

Below are links of the combined General Plan and Housing Element APRs for each year:

• 2024

Please contact Planning for more information.

General Plan

• 2016 General Plan (Complete)
• Table of Contents and List of Figures and Tables
• Chapter 1 - VISION & GUIDING PRINCIPLES
• Chapter 2 - INTRODUCTION
• Chapter 3 - LAND USE & COMMUNITY CHARACTER
• Chapter 4 - MOBILITY
• Chapter 5 - HEALTH & WELLNESS
• Chapter 6 - ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES
• Chapter 7 - NOISE
• Chapter 8 - SAFETY
• Chapter 9 - PUBLIC UTILITIES & SERVICES
• Chapter 10 - CITY CENTER AREA PLAN
• Chapter 11 - HOUSING ELEMENT 6TH CYCLE
• Chapter 12 - WORK PLAN

General Plan EIR

• City Council Resolution No. 2016-86
• 2016 General Plan Update Final EIR
• 2016 General Plan Update Draft EIR
• 2016 General Plan EIR Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
• Draft EIR Technical Background Report
• Draft EIR Traffic Data

Resources

• General Plan Land Use Map (Figure 3.1)
• Interactive Zoning Map
• Housing Element Table III-47, III-48, and Map