Palm Desert Hillside Objective Design Standards

In 2024, JKA was asked by the City of Palm Desert to write objective design standards that only apply to single-family developments located in the Hillside Planned Residential (HPR) zone. Palm Desert policy has long sought to balance conservation of the hillside and the views to and from them with single-family homes that typically dot this landscape.

Palm Desert stakeholders have increasingly expressed concerns that some hillside developments are too visible, the natural beauty and topography of the hills are being degraded as developments occur, and views to and from the hills are being diminished. JKA conducted a site tour to observe existing homes and views to inform objective design standards that would conserve views to and from Palm Desert’s iconic hillsides and mountains and protect major ridges, public lands, public pathways and trails, and environmentally sensitive areas within the Hillside Planned Residential Zone (HPR) and Hillside Planned Residential Drainageway, Floodplain, Watercourse Overlay Zone (HPR, D).

Working with city stakeholders, JKA produced the final objective design standards to include hillside grading and ridgeline protection, site and open space, trees and plants; structure, building, and accessory buildings, exterior lighting, and colors and materials.