Please submit your plans by uploading the PDF through our Citizen Self-Service Portal.

When submitting your application, process onsite work through the Grading Permit and offsite work through the Encroachment Permit. Be sure to upload any additional documents in the Plan Module under Engineering Land Development Documents.

Once the final corrections have been made and the plan is ready for signature, Mylar "originals" are required. These will become permanent records with the city. If copies are needed, the plan may be "checked-out" for duplication but must be returned.

Plan Check Fees

Plan check fees are calculated based on the documents you submit with your application. After your application is received, an invoice outlining the applicable fees will be issued.

Please note that all plan check fees must be paid before the Engineering Division can begin reviewing your documents. For a complete list of Engineering-related fees, refer to our fee schedule.

Drawing Format

Plan Size:

A standard "ARCH D" size plan sheet (24"x36") is preferred, but if your project is large enough, an "ARCH E" size sheet (36"x48") may be used. Larger plan sheet sizes are discouraged. Drawing scale should be used to convey the information clearly. Typically, Street Improvement Plans are drawn at 1"=40'; Grading Plans at 1"=10' or 1"=20'.

Plan Media:

For all plan check submittals, digital files must be submitted through the online portal during application. At the time of plan approval, the plan must be submitted on reproducible Mylar film.

CAD files may be requested after your project is approved

Typical Plan Elements:

Plans should be uncluttered and easy to read. Plans may be returned unchecked if the plan is difficult to interrupt the information. Improvement plans shall contain the following applicable items:

• Title Block - Indicating the The preparers name and contact information, Project name and description, Date of preparation, Case information (ie. Design Review number) (Sample)
• North Arrow
• Scale and Graphic Scale
• Vicinity Map of the projects location

Title Block:

We prefer that the design professional uses their own title block for projects in Cathedral City. This helps with identifying who the plan preparer is. Provide a location on the plans for final approval signature from the city. Depending on the type of plan, different signature blocks should be used.

For projects that require signature from our City Engineer, use the following information (Street Improvements; Sewer; Water; Storm Drain; Traffic Signal and Striping):

ACCEPTED FOR PERMITTING PURPOSES ONLY:  ARMANDO J. GARCIA BALDIZZONE, PE - CITY ENGINEER R.C.E. 70102

Projects that do NOT require the City Engineers' signature, use the following information (Grading Plans):

ACCEPTED FOR PERMITTING PURPOSES ONLY: CITY OF CATHEDRAL CITY

Construction Notes:

All plans must include notes describing key factors of your project.

Welcome to Cathedral City's Online Benchmark Network. Here you can download the City's vertical control network. These benchmarks provide elevation data used in land surveying.

Red Text = Outside City Limits

Under the provisions of the federal Clean Water Act (CWA) (33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq.) the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) was created by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) and together with the provisions of the California Water Code (CWC) (commencing with section 13000), a Water Quality Management Plan is required for priority projects listed below.

NPDES regulates the discharges of Potential Pollutants and Non-Stormwater discharges, minimize urban runoff from impacting receiving waters to the Maximum Extent Practicable (MEP).

On June 15, 2009 the amended Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP), which is part of NPDES became effective and requires on the following Private and Public Developments:

• SF hillside residence; impervious area ≥ 10,000 sq. ft.; Slope ≥ 25%
• SF hillside residence; impervious area ≥ 10,000 sq. ft.; Slope ≥ 10% & erosive soils
• Commercial or Industrial ≥ 100,000 sq. ft.
• Automotive repair shop
• Retail Gasoline Outlet disturbing > 5,000 sq. ft.
• Restaurant disturbing > 5,000 sq. ft.
• Home subdivision ≥ 10 housing units
• Parking lot ≥ 5,000 sq. ft. or ≥ 25 parking spaces

These Priority Development Projects require a Preliminary WQMP to be submitted to the City of Cathedral City upon application of project and Project-Specific WQMP (final) prior to approval of Grading Plan.

For the Project Specific WQMP Summary Data Form, download the link below:
Project Specific WQMP Summary Data Form

For the Project Specific WQMP covenant, download the link below:
Covenant for Water Quality Management Plan and Urban Runoff

• All sites requiring a grading permit, or that involve more than 5,000 square feet of soil disturbance, or import/export more than 100 cubic yards of material per day must prepare and have a Fugitive Dust Control Plan approved by the permitting authority (Chapter 3).
• At least one of the Coachella Valley Best Available Control Measures (CV BACM) is required to be implemented for each fugitive dust source category. (Chapter 2)
• CV BACM must be implemented such that the applicable performance standards (e.g., visible emissions not to exceed 100 feet or 20 percent opacity, or cross any property line, etc.) are met. 
• A description of the performance standards and applicable test methods is included in Chapter 8 of the Coachella Valley Fugitive Dust Control Plan Handbook. The Handbook is available at the Fugitive Dust Control Class. 
• Any Individual responsible for preparing a PM10 plan must possess a Certificate of Attendance for the Coachella Valley Fugitive Dust Control Class. 
• Any Person performing any site grading, whether Contractor or Owner, must posses a Certificate of Attendance for the Coachella Valley Fugitive Dust Control Class or designate an Individual who has a Certificate of Attendance to represent them by completing the Owner Designee (OD) form. 

• https://www.fema.gov/flood-insurance