Desert Hot Springs Building Permits Guide for Homeowners

Last updated November 13, 2026. Reviewed by the Cash Home Buyers CA team.

In Desert Hot Springs, the Building and Safety Division issues building permits, performs plan checks and inspects construction, additions and alterations, and the city says inspections can be requested online through its portal or by phone at (760) 329-6411, extension 244. This guide explains how permits work for Desert Hot Springs homeowners using what the city publishes: what the division does, how to request an inspection, where ADU and other special rules fit in, and how permit history affects a sale.

The city’s pages did not publish a fee table, counter hours or plan check turnaround, so this guide does not state any. Confirm current details with the division before you start work.

Desert Hot Springs permits at a glance

Department	Building & Safety Division, City of Desert Hot Springs
What it does	Issues building permits, performs plan checks and inspects building construction, additions and alterations
Codes enforced	Current City of Desert Hot Springs building codes, Riverside County ordinances, and state and federal laws, according to the division’s page
Main city line	(760) 329-6411
Inspection requests	Online through the city’s portal, or by phone at (760) 329-6411, ext. 244
Applications	The city has a separate Building Applications page and a Building Documents page, which also lists business licenses, commercial building permits and special inspector registration
Fees, hours and review times	Not stated on the pages reviewed; ask the division for a written estimate

What the Building and Safety Division handles

The division’s own description is short: it issues permits, performs plan checks and inspects building construction, additions and alterations to confirm that they comply with the codes in force. It names three layers of rules: the city’s adopted building codes, Riverside County ordinances and state and federal law.

For a homeowner, the practical point is that the same office reviews your plans and later inspects the work, so one set of approved plans should match what is built.

Step by step: a Desert Hot Springs building permit

1. Describe the project to the division

Call the city at (760) 329-6411 and ask for the Building and Safety Division. Describe what you plan to build or change, and ask whether plans and plan check apply. Replacing a water heater, adding a room, enclosing a patio and converting a garage are very different projects, and the division can tell you which paperwork each one needs.

2. Get the application and prepare your plans

The city posts a Building Applications page and a Building Documents page. Download the application that matches your project and gather the supporting plans and documents it asks for. If a licensed contractor will pull the permit, confirm who signs the application and who will be on site for inspections.

3. Submit, pay and wait for plan check

The division performs the plan check. The city’s pages reviewed for this guide do not publish a standard turnaround, so ask for a current estimate and ask what happens if the reviewer has corrections. Request a written fee estimate at your project size so you can compare it with your contractor’s bid.

4. Request inspections as work progresses

The city says you can request inspections online through its portal or call (760) 329-6411, extension 244. Have the permit number and property address ready, and make sure the work is ready for the specific inspection you ask for.

5. Close out the permit

Keep the final sign-off. Buyers, appraisers and title companies look for it later, and it is the cleanest proof the work was approved.

Requesting an inspection without losing a day

Most delays come from missing details rather than the inspection itself. Have the permit number in front of you, confirm that the work is complete for that stage, and arrange access for the inspector. If you rebook, say so in the request so the earlier slot is not held.

The city’s page does not state a daily cutoff time or inspection windows, so ask when you call whether a request made today can be scheduled for tomorrow.

Finding your permit history

The city’s pages reviewed for this guide do not describe a records request process, so call the division and ask how to look up the permits on your address. Compare the record with what is actually built.

Garage conversions, enclosed patios, added rooms, water heater and furnace replacements, solar and panel upgrades are common gaps in homes that have changed hands several times. A record that does not match the house is worth understanding before you list.

Septic, utilities and older lots

Desert Hot Springs includes many properties that rely on private septic systems rather than a sewer connection.

The city’s code requires Riverside County Department of Environmental Health and Regional Water Quality Control Board approval where a private sewage disposal system is used or proposed for an ADU, and the city’s ADU page says ADUs are not permitted on lots on septic that are less than one acre.

If your project adds bedrooms or plumbing fixtures, ask the division early whether the septic system or utility service affects the permit.

Hiring a contractor

California generally requires a licensed contractor for paid work above a small dollar threshold, so check the contractor’s license with the state before you sign, and ask who will pull the permit. If you act as your own builder, the permit and inspections are your responsibility and the final sign-off will be in your name.

If work was done without a permit

Unpermitted work does not disappear when you sell. Ask the division what it would take to permit the work after the fact, which can include plans, inspection of concealed work and fees. Some owners finish that process first; others disclose and sell as-is.

Either way, a clear record of what is built and what has been approved shortens the list of questions a buyer will ask. Our Desert Hot Springs code enforcement guide explains what can happen if the city learns of unpermitted construction through a complaint.

Permits and selling a Desert Hot Springs house

Permit history follows a home from owner to owner. A buyer’s lender may ask whether additions and conversions were permitted, and an appraiser may not count space the city never approved. California sellers generally disclose what they know; see our guides to selling as-is with unpermitted work, seller closing costs and selling a tenant-occupied home.

If your Desert Hot Springs house has permit loose ends, these are the usual options: close out the permit and list, list as-is with full disclosure, or sell to a cash buyer who accepts the property as it stands. To decide:

• Pull the city’s permit record for your address.
• Compare it with what is actually built, including garage and patio changes.
• Locate final inspection cards, plans and receipts.
• Ask the city what it would take to permit anything unpermitted.
• Price the delay and cost against selling as-is.

How to sell a house in Desert Hot Springs

1. Check which structures, additions and conversions on the property have city permits.
2. Collect permits, plans and any city notices.
3. Request a no-obligation cash offer for the house as it stands.
4. Choose your closing date.
5. Close with no repairs, permit cleanup or showings required.

Our local pages cover related situations in Desert Hot Springs, including selling as-is, selling an inherited house and selling during a divorce. See also our Desert Hot Springs page and the Riverside County hub.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Desert Hot Springs Building and Safety Division do?

The city says it issues building permits, performs plan checks and inspects building construction, additions and alterations for compliance with city building codes, Riverside County ordinances and state and federal laws.

How do I request an inspection in Desert Hot Springs?

The city says to request inspections online through its portal or call (760) 329-6411, extension 244.

Does Desert Hot Springs publish its permit fees online?

The pages reviewed for this guide do not show a fee table. Ask the Building and Safety Division for a written estimate at your project size.

How long does plan check take in Desert Hot Springs?

The city’s pages reviewed do not publish a standard turnaround. Ask the division for a current estimate when you submit.

Can I build an ADU on a septic lot in Desert Hot Springs?

The city’s ADU page says ADUs are not permitted on septic lots smaller than one acre, and its code requires county environmental health approval where a private sewage system is used. Confirm your lot with the division.

Can I sell my Desert Hot Springs house with an open or unpermitted project?

Yes. You can disclose it and sell as-is, including to a cash buyer. Our statewide guide explains the disclosure rules.

More guides

• We Buy Houses in Desert Hot Springs
• We Buy Houses in Riverside County
• Riverside County Property Tax Guide
• Desert Hot Springs Code Enforcement Guide
• Desert Hot Springs Zoning and ADU Guide
• Palm Desert Building Permits Guide
• Coachella Building Permits Guide
• All California Guides

Sources

• City of Desert Hot Springs: Building Division
• City of Desert Hot Springs: Building Applications
• Desert Hot Springs Municipal Code, Chapter 17.08 (Residential Districts)

This guide is general information from public sources, not legal advice. Confirm current rules, fees and hours with the city.