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County of Riverside

Cabazon Community Plan

    Introduction to Cabazon

    Cabazon is a small, unincorporated community, nestled within the San Gorgonio Pass. Positioned between the Coachella Valley and the Inland Empire, it serves as a gateway for travelers heading east toward Palm Springs and the desert cities. 

    Demographics

    As of the 2020 Census, Cabazon had a population of about 2,630 residents from diverse backgrounds, 53.3% of residents identified as Hispanic or Latino, and the remainder representing a mix of White (37.0%), African American (5.8%), Native American (3.2%), Asian (2.8%), and other racial groups. More than one-third (38%) of households are raising children under 18, and with a median age of just under 35 years, Cabazon has a youthful spirit balanced by longtime residents who offer history and perspective to their community.

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    Local Economy

    One of the community’s most iconic features is the Cabazon Dinosaurs, two towering roadside sculptures—a brontosaurus and a T. rex—that have become cultural landmarks. They symbolize Cabazon’s quirky charm and its role as a roadside attraction town along Interstate 10. Cabazon is also recognized as a hub for retail and tourism. The Desert Hills Premium Outlets and Cabazon Outlets offer one of the largest collections of luxury and name-brand discount shopping in the region, making the area a regular destination for visitors. Just down the road, the Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa, operated by the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, is a major economic pillar in the community. The resort provides gaming, dining, and entertainment while also serving as one of the largest employers in the surrounding region, reinforcing Cabazon’s economic importance far beyond its small-town borders. 

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    Natural Landscape

    Cabazon sits at the crossroads of desert and mountain life. Its proximity to the San Bernardino National Forest, the Coachella Valley, and Joshua Tree National Park gives residents and visitors access to diverse outdoor experiences—from desert hiking and stargazing to mountain trails and cooler alpine escapes. The community reflects this blend of rugged desert resilience and modern commercial development, creating its unique identity.

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    Cabazon Community Plan (The Plan)

    The Cabazon Community Plan is a multidisciplinary planning initiative led by the County of Riverside's Planning Department that aims to address the community's land use and infrastructure needs in a comprehensive, inclusive, and sustainable manner. This plan is a foundational step in preparing the Cabazon area for significant anticipated growth and development, particularly as the region plan for the possibility of accommodating up to 25,000 new housing units over the next 30 years.

    To do this, the project proposes to include a Community Plan with land use changes, new policies, ordinance changes, and design guidelines, couples with a SCAG grant funded Infrastructure Plan that examines current infrastructure conditions and capacity, forecasts future demand, and outlines key improvements and investments in areas such as water and wastewater systems, energy, broadband internet, transportation, and stormwater management. 

    These updates are not only necessary to support housing growth, but also critical to enhancing quality of life, economic opportunity, climate resilience, and public health in Cabazon.

    Cabazon Infrastructure Plan (CIP)

    The CIP will identify needs and suggest alternative for the availability and expansion of essential services such as water supply, wastewater treatment, electricity, natural gas, transportation, and broadband infrastructure. By identifying infrastructure gaps, the CIP will help facilitate housing projects by analyzing and planning for extended or upgraded utility networks, ensuring that new developments do not overburden existing systems.

    The CIP aims to promote the future growth of the region's industrial and commercial sectors by evaluating the necessary infrastructure for their expansion in the Cabazon area, assessing feasibility for implementation, and analyzing the environmental impacts of such potential projects to potentially enable streamlined development.

    SCAG REAP 2.0

    This project is funded by the Regional Utilities Supporting Housing (RUSH) pilot program, which is a call for projects within SCAG’s Regional Early Action Planning Grant Program of 2021 (REAP 2.0) program. REAP 2.0 was established as part of the 2021 California Comeback Plan under AB 140 to confront the statewide housing affordability crisis. SCAG has allocated a total of $35M to the RUSH Pilot Program, $5 million of which is dedicated to infrastructure planning projects and $30 million of which is dedicated to capital projects. 

    Regional Utilities Supporting Housing (RUSH) Pilot Program Awardees

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    SCAG

    Open House Series
    All of the following meetings will be held at the James A Venable Community Center - 50390 Carmen Ave, Cabazon, CA 92230

    Session #1 (May 21, 2026)

    Lunch Info Booth

    Open House #1

    Presentation (English)

    Presentation (Español)

    Session #2 (July 9, 2026)

    Lunch Info Booth

    Open House #2


    Notice of Preparation (NOP)

    English | Español
    Public Review Period - Draft Program Environmental Impact Report (EIR)
    Date: Monday, March 9, 2026 (03/09/26) to Wednesday, April 8, 2026 (04/08/26)

    Cabazon Community Plan: Land Use Plan

    Cabazon Community Plan: Land Use Plan (Housing Density)

    Please send your response to Candice Hughes at [email protected] or mailing address:
    P.O. Box 1409,
    Riverside CA 92502


    Workgroup Series (September 2025 - December 2025)

    Advocacy

    Developer

    Resident/Community

    Session #1

    September 23, 2025

    Whiteboard Activity

    Meeting Summary

     

     

     

    September 24, 2025

    Whiteboard Activity

    Meeting Summary

     

     

     

    September 25, 2025

    Presentation

    Land Use Map

    Land Use Map Activity Results

    Meeting Summary

    Flyer

    Session #2

    October 27, 2025

    Meeting Summary

     

     

     

     

    October 29, 2025

    Meeting Summary

     

     

     

     

    November 6, 2025

    Presentation

    Cabazon Visioning Activity

    Cabazon Visioning Activity Results

    Meeting Summary

    Flyer

    Session #3

    December 2, 2025

    December 3, 2025

    December 9, 2025


    Kick-off Meeting (08/26/25)

    Cabazon Community Plan: Land Use and Infrastructure Elements

    We want your feedback. Please fill out the comment form below!

    Upcoming

    Notice of Preparation (NOP) 
    Public Review Period - Draft Program Environmental Impact Report (EIR) - English | Español
    Date: Monday, March 9, 2026 (03/09/26) to Wednesday, April 8, 2026 (04/08/26)

    Cabazon Community Plan: Land Use Plan

    Cabazon Community Plan: Land Use Plan (Housing Density)

    Please send your response to Candice Hughes at [email protected] or mailing address:
    P.O. Box 1409,
    Riverside CA 92502


    EIR Public Scoping Meeting
    Planning Commission
    Agenda
    Date: Wednesday, March 18, 2026
    Location: Riverside County Administrative Center - Board Chambers, 1st Floor
    4080 Lemon St. Riverside CA, 92501


    Open House Series
    All of the following meetings will be held at the James A Venable Community Center - 50390 Carmen Ave, Cabazon, CA 92230

    Date: Thursday, May 21, 2026
    Lunch Info Booth - 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
    Open House #1 - 6 - 8 p.m.

    Date: Thursday, July 9, 2026
    Lunch Info Booth - 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
    Open House #2 - 6 - 8 p.m.

    Open House #1

    Cabazon residents - your voice matters! Join us on Thursday, May 21, 2026, for the first Cabazon Community Plan Open House. Stop by the information booth from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. or attend the community meeting from 6–8 p.m. at the James A. Venable Community Center, 50390 Carmen Ave, Cabazon, 92230. 

    We’ll be discussing the Cabazon Community Plan and local infrastructure. Learn more at planning.rctlma.org/cabazon-community-plan. 

    Questions? Email [email protected] or call (951) 955‑1639.

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    Photo of a diverse group of people listening during the Cabazon Community Plan Open House event to be held at the James A. Venable Community Center on Thursday May 21, 2026.

    Contact Us

    Sarah Moore | Assistant Director
    Scott Bruckner | Planning Manager
    [email protected]
    (951) 955-3200

    County of Riverside 
    Planning Department 
    4080 Lemon Street, 12th Floor 
    Riverside, CA 92501

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    Riverside County