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Community Development

69-825 Highway 111
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
Phone: (760) 328-2266
Fax: (760) 324-9851
Randy Bynder, Director

The Community Development Department consists of three divisions: Planning, Building & Safety, and Code Compliance.

Planning Division

Planning is the first stop for anyone interested in obtaining information about what is allowed to be built in certain areas. Based on maps that show zoning and allowed uses, planners are able to tell customers what can be built at any given address, such as homes, office buildings, shopping centers, light industrial uses, or other possibilities based on the location of the property.

• Section 19 NOA / DEIR (99kb PDF)
• Section 19 Specific Plan  & Staff Report 01-14-10
• Development Activity Summary (197kb PDF)
• Planning Fees Summary as of 4/07
• Vision Statement


• What is a General Plan (2.9mb PDF)
• Complete General Plan adopted November 2005 (13.1mb PDF)
• General Plan Table of Contents
• General Plan Chapter 1 - Introduction
• General Plan Chapter 2 - Land Use
• General Plan Chapter 3 - Circulation
• General Plan Chapter 4 - Housing
• General Plan Chapter 5 - Conservation and Open Space
• General Plan Chapter 6 - Air Quality
• General Plan Chapter 7 - Noise
• General Plan Chapter 8 - Safety
• General Plan Chapter 9 - Public Services and Facilities
• General Plan Chapter 10 - Community Design
• General Plan Chapter 11 - Economic and Fiscal Element
• General Plan Land Use & Zoning Map (9/2010)


• Zoning Ordinance (Rancho Mirage Municipal Code, Title 17)

• Commercial & Office Buildings (48mb PDF)
• Street Map with Aerial 
• Street Map, Black & White 
• Neighborhoods

Community Profile Maps:

• Aerial Image (12.6mb PDF)
• Bike Routes
• City Boundary
• City Boundary Changes
• Conservancy & National Monument Boundary
• Horse & Hiking Trails
• Land Ownership
• Neighborhoods
• Parks Master Plan
• Redevelopment Project Areas
• Schools
• Sidewalks
• Specific Plans
• Sphere Changes
• USGS Topographical Map
• 2005 General Plan Circulation Map
• 2009 Average Daily Trips
• 2010 Speed Limits
• 2010 Throughlanes & Intersection Controls
• 2010 Sun Bus Routes

Code Compliance Division

City Hall Annex Building
42-520 Bob Hope Drive, Suite A
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
Phone: (760) 770-3220
Fax: (760) 324-9851
Joe Estrada, Code Compliance Manager

The Code Compliance Division of the City's Community Development Department is responsible for providing Animal Control Services and helping citizens maintain and preserve their property values. Some Code Compliance problems can be described as property maintenance, abandoned vehicles, weed abatement, tree trimming, barking dogs, illegal dumping, RV and trailer parking, zoning questions, permits, or neighborhood cleanup. People who are interested in any part of the City's Municipal Code, or who have questions pertaining to conditions in their neighborhood or business, may call Code Compliance Officers at (760) 770-3220 for assistance.  If you would like to file a complaint you may complete the Code Compliance Complaint Form, and mail it to the Code Compliance Division as indicated.

Building & Safety Division

69-825 Highway 111
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
Phone (General): (760) 202-9253
Phone (Inspection Line): (760) 202-9852
Fax: (760) 324-8169
Steve Buchanan, Building Official

Welcome to the Building & Safety Division for the City of Rancho Mirage, open Monday through Friday 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. Listed below is some information and common applications for building inspections.

• 24-Hour Inspection Line (760) 202-9852 (All inspections before 3 p.m. will be done the following day. Leave the permit number, address and type of inspection. Do not request AM or PM inspection.)
• No construction on Sundays and Holidays (New Years, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas)
• Work hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday - Saturday. No special permit required.

• Requirements for Plan Review Submittal (56kb PDF)
• Plan Check Application (22kb PDF)
• Owner/Builder Declaration (22kb PDF)

Separate Building Permits Necessary For:

• Pool And Spa
• Block Walls Over Thirty (30) Inches In Height
• All Retaining Walls (Including Calculations From Engineer).
• Solar
• Exterior Lighting

ATTENTION CONTRACTORS: You Must Be Prepared With:

• Proof of Contractor's License
• Current City Business License & Worker’s Compensation (Have name of Carrier & Policy available, unless you sign exempt.)
• If your agent or employee is obtaining the permit(s), you must furnish the City with a notarized letter naming those allowed to obtain permits for your business.

Codes For All Plans
2010 California Building, Plumbing, Mechanical, Electrical Codes.

Calcs For All Plans
2 Sets: Energy, Climate Zone 15; 2 Sets: Structural, 85 Mph Wind Speed.
2 Sets of Truss Calculations (If Applicable) with Letter of Approval From Engineer of Record.

Commercial Plans
Submit 2 Wet-Signed Sets: Architectural, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, & Structural Sheets; 2 Additional Sets To Fire Department & Health Department (If Applicable); 2 Sets Of Truss Calculations (If Applicable) With Letter Of Approval From Engineer Of Record. Please Submit 1 Assessor Set To Include Cover Sheet, Floor Plan & Site Plan.

Residential Plans
Submit 2 Wet-Signed Sets: Architectural, Mechanical, Electric, Plumbing, Structural Sheets; 2 Sets Of Truss Calculations (If Applicable) With Letter Of Approval From Engineer Of Record. Please Submit 1 Assessor Set To Include Cover Sheet, Floor Plan & Site Plan.

Utility Contact Numbers