The City of Cathedral City has released the Public Review Draft of its new Development Code, a comprehensive update to the City’s zoning and subdivision regulations that combines them into a single, unified set of standards for the first time. Community members are invited to review the draft and submit comments through Friday, June 12, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
The draft Development Code (Title 9) is the product of an extensive multi-year effort that has included community open houses, walking tours, and workshops. Through this update, the City aims to:
- Modernize and streamline the development review process
- Prepare easy-to-understand development standards
- Reflect current development preferences
- Incentivize housing development and infill opportunities
- Incorporate objective design standards
- Ensure consistency with the 2040 General Plan
- Comply with changes in State and Federal law
The draft is organized into eight parts, or “Divisions,” covering important categories of standards and City processes: Introductory Provisions; Zoning Districts Regulations and Development Standards; General Development Standards; Standards for Specific Land Uses; Subdivision Regulations; Application Processing Procedures; Development Code Administration; and Definitions. The full draft and individual Divisions are available to view and download at zonecathedralcity.com.
Reviewing a document of this size can feel daunting, so the City encourages residents to start with the Summary of Changes, which provides an accessible overview of what’s different between the existing Zoning Code and the new Development Code — helping residents quickly understand the updates most relevant to their property or neighborhood without needing to read the full draft. Individual Divisions can also be downloaded separately at zonecathedralcity.com for those who want to dig deeper into a specific topic.
“This draft reflects years of community input, and now we need residents to take one more look before it’s finalized,” said Cynthia Schultz, AICP, Planning Manager for the City of Cathedral City. “Every comment we receive helps us make sure the new Development Code truly works for Cathedral City.”
Join Community Meeting #3: “Where the Rubber Meets the Road”
The City invites the community to a hands-on public workshop on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Cathedral City Branch Library, 33520 Date Palm Dr. The workshop will focus on the draft Development Code and the City’s Objective Design Standards. Attendees will have the chance to “test drive” the Code, providing a firsthand account of its usability and identifying where minor modifications could be made.
How to Submit Comments
The deadline to submit public comments is Friday, June 12, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Comments may be submitted by:
- Emailing DCU@cathedralcity.gov
- Using the blue comments tab on the project website at zonecathedralcity.com
Learn More
For more information about the Public Review Draft Development Code, an overview of changes between the existing Zoning Code and the draft Development Code, and ways to stay engaged and informed, visit the project website at zonecathedralcity.com.
