Rancho Mirage adopts omnibus zoning text amendments to streamline wireless permitting and other code updates

The Rancho Mirage City Council on May 15 approved a zoning text amendment that revises multiple chapters of the municipal code to streamline permitting for wireless communication facilities, clarify review authority and add a retail shopping-cart management program.

City Planning Manager Ben Torres told the council the “omnibus ordinance” updates Titles 2 (administration), 5 (businesses, taxes, licenses and regulations), 8 (health and safety), 14 (code compliance) and 17 (zoning) to reflect recent policy work, including the wireless master plan the council received March 6, 2025. “Staff was directed to initiate the necessary municipal code amendments to streamline the permitting process and to reduce barriers to entitlement for wireless communication facilities,” Torres said during his presentation.

The planning commission reviewed the Title 17 changes and on April 24 adopted Resolution No. 2025 PC-4 recommending the amendments under the commission’s purview, Torres said. The ordinance inserts updated standards for wireless sites (chapter 17.32), clarifies administrative review authority across titles and adds a shopping-cart management program aimed at retailers.

Council members heard public comment from residents who raised concerns about public notice and visibility of approvals for wireless facilities. Brad Anderson, a Rancho Mirage resident, said he had submitted written comments and asked for more transparency when the city manager has administrative approval authority. “The city manager is really, has a lot more authority of approving these type of installations in the city and around residential neighborhoods, so the public may not even know that these facilities go in now,” Anderson said in public comment.

Planning staff responded that the changes are intended to implement the council’s wireless master plan and improve cellular coverage; Torres also described that certain minor code edits (for example, landing of aircraft language) will be tied to state and federal regulations as applicable. The council approved the ordinance on a 5-0 vote.

The ordinance also corrects cross references across the municipal code and modifies enforcement provisions in Title 14. According to the staff report, the goal is to reduce processing hurdles for wireless carriers while retaining local design standards and permitting conditions.

Council approval means staff will proceed with ordinance adoption and implement the updated permit processes and administrative procedures described in the staff report. Copies of the ordinance and the planning commission report are included in the city’s agenda packet for May 15.