City of Palm Desert
Home MenuHow the Council & Mayor Operate
The City of Palm Desert was incorporated on November 26, 1973, as a general law city, governed under California's State regulations. In 1997, voters approved changing Palm Desert's designation from general law to a charter city in order to preserve the historic principles of self-governance and derive the resulting social, economic, and fiscal benefits from local control.
In accordance with the City Charter, the City's governing body consist of five members of City Council elected to four-year terms, with the Mayor selected from amongst the City Council for a one-year term.
On January 25, 2024, the Palm Desert City Council adopted Ordinance No. 1406 establishing five single-member council districts. The incumbent Councilmembers will continue to serve and complete their existing terms.
The transition to single-member council districts will commence with the General Municipal Election of November 5, 2024, for the election of three members of City Council representing Districts 1, 2, and 3. The transition will be complete following the November 2026 election for two members of City Council representing Districts 4 and 5. You can learn more about the redistricting process by visiting www.redistrictpd.org, including an interactive map where you can locate your district.
Click here to access the District Locator Interactive Map
The City Council enacts City ordinances, establishes policies, represents the public, maintains intergovernmental relations, and exercises general oversight over the affairs of City government, the Redevelopment Agency, Financing Authority, Housing Authority, and Parking Authority.
Fair Political Practices Commission Regulation 18705.5 requires the City to post, on the City's website, the stipends Councilmembers receive from outside agencies in conjunction with official appointments made by the whole City Council. (See the downloadable Form 806 available on this page).