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Desert Hot Springs approves annexation and tax-area actions, advances 2025 building code and extends Highway 62 moratorium
Summary
The council unanimously approved annexation of an Amazon property into the city's Community Facilities District and into Special Public Safety Tax Area 56, adopted the first reading of the 2025 California building codes (returning for a second reading), and extended an interim moratorium on certain commercial business park uses along Highway 62.
At its Nov. 4 meeting the Desert Hot Springs City Council approved several land-use and regulatory items, voting unanimously on annexation and tax-area measures and taking action on updated building and zoning controls.
Annexation and special tax area: Council continued and then closed public hearings to annex a property (APN 666-370-32) into Community Facilities District No. 2010-1 to allow a special assessment for maintenance of facilities. The council canvassed ballots and, with the property owner having voted in favor, adopted a resolution declaring the election results and approving the annexation. The council also approved creating Special Public Safety Tax Area 56 for property identified as APN 666-370-39 (Amazon.com Services LLC) to apply a partial assessment to fund public safety services; the property owner similarly voted in favor and the ordinance passed unanimously.
2025 building codes, first reading: Staff presented the city's proposed adoption of the 2025 California Building Code series (including the California Building Code, Residential Code, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Energy, Existing Building, and related codes) and updates to the International Property Maintenance Code references adopted in Title 15 of the Desert Hot Springs Municipal Code. Staff told council the 2025 edition was published July 1, 2025 and would take effect January 1, 2026 if adopted. Staff noted there were no major residential-code changes and that AB 130 relaxes some timelines (for example, permits are valid for one year rather than six months). The council approved the ordinance at first reading; it will return for a second reading and adoption at the next meeting.
Highway 62 commercial business park moratorium extended: Staff presented an extension of an urgency interim ordinance that places a moratorium on issuance of licenses, permits or entitlements for uses other than those specified in the ordinance within the commercial business park (C-BP) zoning district on Highway 62 between North Indian Canyon Drive and Interstate 10. Staff said the extension (to a total of up to two years) would provide time to align zoning with the council's strategic plan (freeway corridor as a tourism gateway) and to analyze new state laws such as AB 98 affecting logistics and warehousing near residential uses. The council voted unanimously to extend the urgency ordinance, which goes into effect immediately.
Votes at the meeting were recorded as unanimous for the motions presented; no public testimony was received on the annexation or Highway 62 moratorium items.
The planning and ordinance items will return as required for adoption steps and any implementing resolutions; staff will continue public noticing per statutory requirements.
