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Development Services Department

The Development Services Department is responsible for marketing Rancho Mirage as a leading edge, innovative community in its government, business, and environmental stewardship. Our natural setting offers an extraordinary resort environment where alluring resort hotels, championship golf courses, sophisticated retail stores, restaurants and luxury homes are carefully planned and meticulously maintained.

We are committed to maintaining these high standards of design excellence, and providing the community with personal attention, accurate and detailed information, and timely responses in a manner that instills public trust and confidence while exceeding service expectations.

Within our department are six divisions: Building & Safety, Code Compliance, Economic Development, Housing, Planning, and Tourism/Special Events.

Building & Safety division reviews and approves building blueprints and provides on-site inspection services for new buildings and renovations for homes and businesses.

Code Compliance division is responsible for providing Animal Control Services and helping citizens maintain and preserve their property values.

Economic Development division is responsible for working closely with national and regional developers, retailers, small business entrepreneurs, city leaders, local citizens,  and philanthropists to build a foundation of economic strength and vitality in Rancho Mirage.

Planning division oversees the City’s General Plan, which is a blueprint for future growth and zoning in Rancho Mirage. Any homeowner or business wishing to build or expand would visit Planning to learn more about zoning ordinances and pulling permits.

Our Tourism/Special Events office oversees tourism marketing and works closely with the City's hospitality leaders to maximize the Transient Occupancy Tax (10%) derived from overnight stays in our resorts, while our Special Events office works with industry production companies, residents, and businesses to ensure the events are successfully conducted while maintaining the expected quality of life in Rancho Mirage. 

Should you wish to discuss any opportunities for brining a new business or development to the City of Rancho Mirage, please contact the Development Services Director, Curt Watts.

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 (11.58mb PDF)
• 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)

Code Compliance Division

69-825 Highway 111
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
Phone: (760) 770-3220
Fax: (760) 202-4792
Sandra Johnson, Code Compliance Manager

The Code Compliance Division of the City's Community Development Department is responsible for providing Animal 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.

For after hours or weekend complaints, please call (760) 578-5877. 

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.

Codes For All Plans
2010 California Title 24 Building Codes Parts 1-5, & 11, 12 (Administrative, Building, Residential, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Energy, Greed Code), 2010 California Fire Code Title 24, Part 9, NFPA standardsas adopted in Title 24.                                            

Engineering Calcs For All Plans
2 Sets: Energy, Climate Zone 15; 2 Sets: Structural, 85 Mph Wind Speed Exposure C
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 and 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 and 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 and Site Plan.

Downloadable Fire Forms

• Fire Permit Application/Plan Submittal Form
• Fire Sprinklers Residential - NFPA 13D, 2010 ed.
• Fire Sprinklers Commercial - NFPA 13, 2010 ed.
• Fire Alarm submittals - NFPA 72, 2010 ed.
• Fire Suppresstion Commercial Kitchen Hood
• Fire Submittal for Tents or Spcial Events

Separate Building Permits Necessary For

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

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.

ATTENTION PROPERTY OWNERS
If anyone other than you or your contractor is obtaining the permits, you must furnish the City with a notarized letter naming the agent(s) allowed to obtain permits for your property.

Downloadable Building Forms

• Construction Lead Sheet
• Permit Application
• Owner Builder Declaration
• Workers Comp Form
• Building Division Information
• Building Plan Review Submittal Requirements
• New Residential Building Fee Estimate
• New commercial Building Fee Estimate
• Demolition Permit Application
• Home Occupation Permit Information
• Home Occupation Permit Application
• Use and Occupancy Requirements for Commercial Buildings
• Use and Occupancy Requirements for Residential Buildings
• Sewer Hook Up Requirements
• Info Sheet Air Conditioner Replacement
• Info Sheet Mobile Home Permit Information
• Info Sheet Photo Voltaic Plan Submittal
• Info Sheet Pool Deck Bonding
• Info Sheet <500 Sf. Residential Additions
• Info Sheet Block Walls
• Info Sheet Patio Covers
• Info Sheet Patio Deck

 Utility Contact Numbers

Economic Development Division

For more than 40 years, the City’s Economic Development Department has worked closely with national and regional developers, retailers, small business entrepreneurs, city leaders, local citizens,  and philanthropists to build a foundation of economic strength and vitality in Rancho Mirage.

Careful planning combined with the establishment of high quality commercial and residential development standards have enabled Rancho Mirage to become renowned as a prestigious world-class community, and a destination for quality shopping, dining, vacationing and recreation.

Rancho Mirage's approach focuses on:

• Carefully planned infrastructure
• Fast-track, streamlined permit process
• Quality city services
• Entrepreneurial "can-do" attitude to development

We are proud of our past, but our focus is on the future.

Rancho Mirage business owners and consumers are optimistic about the city's continued growth, and so are we. Retail businesses, restaurants, and professional and medical offices, and personal services along Highway 111 and the Monterey/Dinah Shore/Bob Hope corridors show no signs of slowing down and remain on “A List” destination for local and regional shoppers from throughout the Palm Springs Valley.

Here are some of our plans:

• Enhance and reinforce existing strengths
• Broaden the variety of commercial, personal and professional services to make complete shopping experiences in key locations throughout the City
• Assemble parcels along Highway 111 for future development along with compatible streetscape treatments for pedestrians and drivers
• Additional focus on the specialty retail market

Marketing & Tourism Division

Rancho Mirage's Tourism Marketing office works closely with the City's hospitality leaders to maximize the Transient Occupancy Tax (10%) derived from overnight stays at our resorts.  To view the City's touism website, click here.

As part of the City's Marketing & Tourism, the Special Events office works closely with industry production companies, residents, and businesses insuring events are successfully conducted while maintaining the expected quality of life in Rancho Mirage.

Focus on the Future

Rancho Mirage's reputation as a prestigious community of quality commercial and residential development was earned through the use of a carefully planned economic development strategy in conjunction with development standards that promote and encourage quality commercial and residential development. Rancho Mirage's approach focuses on:

• Fast-track, streamlined permit process
• Quality city services
• Carefully planned infrastructure
• Entrepreneurial "can-do" attitude to development

Business owners in Rancho Mirage are optimistic about the future and the City's consumers share this enthusiasm. Consumers have a clear preference for shopping and filling their professional and personal service needs along Highway 111 and the Monterey/Dinah Shore business corridors.

With these facts in mind, plans for the future include the following:

• Focus on the specialty retail market
• Enhance and reinforce existing strengths
• Assemble parcels along Highway 111 with an eye to development of compatible streetscape treatments for pedestrians and drivers
• Broaden the variety of commercial, personal and professional services to make complete shopping experiences in key locations throughout the City