Desert Hot Springs, California Development News
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City Council - July 7, 2026
Published: Jul 7, 2026
Data Center Moratorium Extended in Desert Hot Springs Amidst Water and Energy Concerns
The City Council discussed and approved the extension of an urgency interim ordinance establishing a moratorium on new data centers and similar high-intensity computing uses. This extension, for an additional 22 months and 15 days, is intended to allow staff time to develop comprehensive regulations. Concerns were raised by residents regarding the high water and energy demands of data centers, potential impacts on water quality and availability in an already scarce desert environment, and the precedent set by approving large-scale industrial projects without thorough impact studies. Speakers highlighted examples from other cities where data centers led to increased electricity bills and stressed the importance of specificity in defining 'data center' and enforcing regulations, including upfront water usage numbers. The council ultimately voted to extend the moratorium.
Desert Hot Springs Adopts Rental Registration Ordinance to Improve Housing Standards
The City Council held the first reading of an ordinance to establish a Rental Registration Program. The proposed ordinance aims to address issues of unsafe, substandard, and poorly maintained rental housing by requiring property owners to register their properties annually, provide contact information, and obtain a permit. The program includes operating requirements, a violation schedule, penalties, and authorizes periodic and complaint-based inspections. Public comments included concerns from a resident about privacy, potential impacts on tenants receiving subsidies, and the scope of inspections, as well as a request for continuance from a property owner's representative due to lack of legal review time. A property manager spoke in favor, highlighting the need to hold landlords accountable and improve housing conditions. Councilmembers expressed support, citing the prevalence of rental properties and the need for habitable living conditions. The ordinance passed its first reading unanimously.
City Council Authorizes Placing Over $440,000 in Unpaid Nuisance Abatement Costs on County Tax Rolls
The City Council adopted a resolution affirming a report of public nuisance abatement costs and authorizing the placement of unpaid charges on the county tax roll. The code compliance division identified 112 property owners with outstanding balances totaling $440,754.57 for administrative citations and abatement costs assessed between May 1, 2025, and April 30, 2026. Property owners have until August 10, 2026, to pay their outstanding balances without additional penalty. Public comments raised concerns about a 'two-track system' of enforcement, with absentee investors allegedly having large balances let build for years while working residents face faster track to liens. Several speakers requested continuances or waivers for specific properties due to various circumstances including tenant issues, prior city issues, or recent property sales. The council ultimately voted to address specific cases, with some fees waived and extensions granted for others, while directing staff to report on budget reliance on citation and abatement revenue.
Desert Hot Springs Council Considers Using Cannabis Reserves and Bonds for Road Maintenance
The City Council reviewed recommendations from the Streets and Roads Subcommittee regarding road maintenance funding and priorities. The subcommittee recommended prioritizing citywide residential streets for maintenance like crack sealing and slurry seal, and major arterials for similar treatments followed by full reconstruction. Current funding sources, including gas tax (Measure A, SB1) and cannabis reserves, were discussed. The subcommittee recommended exploring new funding options: reallocating a portion of cannabis reserves for a 5-year paving plan for residential streets, and issuing bonds in 2028 for a citywide paving project. Concerns were raised by Councilmember Gardner about using cannabis reserves, suggesting it should be a last resort and proposing to wait until the reserves reach a cap before reallocating funds. The council provided direction to staff to explore these options, with a focus on securing matching funds for grants and developing a long-term paving plan. The motion to support these recommendations passed unanimously, with conditions regarding the use of cannabis reserves after reaching a cap.
Desert Hot Springs Police Department to Increase Sworn Staffing to 45 Officers Over Five Years
The City Council reviewed a POST analysis and recommendations for the Desert Hot Springs Police Department's staffing. The analysis highlighted understaffing, shift coverage gaps, and high overtime costs, recommending a minimum of 37 sworn officers for current call volume, excluding administrative, task force, school resource, community response, traffic, or detective positions. The department currently operates with 33 sworn officers and has a 1% vacancy rate (Deputy Chief position). The POST recommendations include filling vacant task force positions (currently 1 of 4 filled), providing shift overlap officers, and expanding the traffic division. The department proposes increasing sworn staff to 45 officers over five years by adding two officers per fiscal year, with a future plan to review the public safety parcel tax for potential additional hiring every five years after the 45-officer level is achieved. This plan aims to improve patrol staffing, shift coverage, traffic enforcement, and community policing.
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The Desert Hot Springs News archive
City Council - July 7, 2026
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City Council - June 16, 2026
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Public Safety Commission - June 11, 2026
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