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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Draft Environmental Impact Report
Notice
The Draft EIR is available for public review and comment beginning on July 9, 2026 and ending August 24, 2026. The County of Riverside is currently open Monday through Friday between 8:00am and 5:00pm. All comments on the Draft EIR must be submitted in writing to the address provided below and received no later than 5:00pm on August 24, 2026.
Cabazon Infrastructure Plan Final with Appendices
Please send your response to:
Riverside County Planning Department
Attn: Candice Hughes, Project Planner
4080 Lemon Street, 12th Floor
PO Box 1409
Riverside, CA 92502
(951) 955-0606
Email: [email protected]
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 Presentation (English) Presentation (Español) |
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 Meeting Summary
| September 24, 2025 Meeting Summary
| September 25, 2025 Meeting Summary |
Session #2 | ||
October 27, 2025 Meeting Summary
| October 29, 2025 Meeting Summary
| November 6, 2025 Cabazon Visioning Activity Results Meeting Summary |
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
- Conceptual Land Use Map | *For Legend: Land Use Designations Summary
- Existing Infrastructure Maps
- Architectural Styles
We want your feedback. Please fill out the comment form below!
Environmental Impact Report
Notice
Public Review Period
The County of Riverside is the Lead Agency under CEQA and is holding a 45-day public review period of the Draft EIR, during which time the public and interested parties are invited to comment on the Draft EIR for the Project. Comments on the adequacy of the analysis and the appropriateness of the Project may be made in writing or email, indicating the section of concern. Comments may include additional or alternative mitigation measures to those proposed in the document. The project name and numbers should be noted on all correspondence and the comments should indicate if you would like to be notified of public hearings. At this time, public hearings have not yet been scheduled.
Please note that the public comment period for the Draft EIR is Thursday, July 9, 2026 to Monday, August, 24, 2026. All comments must be submitted to the County of Riverside at the address indicated below and must be received no later than 5:00 pm on August 24, 2026.
Riverside County Planning Department
Attn: Candice Hughes, Project Planner
4080 Lemon Street, 12th Floor
PO Box 1409
Riverside, CA 92502
(951) 955-0606
Email: [email protected]
Draft Environmental Impact Report
Documents | Date Updated |
| Appendix A. Notice of Preparation & Responses | July 9, 2026 |
| Appendix B. Air Quality / Greenhouse Gas / Energy Data | July 9, 2026 |
| Appendix C. Baseline Biological Resources Technical Report | July 9, 2026 |
| Appendix D. Programmatic Cultural Study | July 9, 2026 |
| Appendix E. Programmatic Paleo Assessment | July 9, 2026 |
| Appendix F. Noise Data | July 9, 2026 |
| Appendix G. VMT Analysis | July 9, 2026 |
| CIP & Cabazon Community Plan Draft EIR | July 9, 2026 |
Upcoming
Notice of Availability (NOA)
Public Review Period - Draft Program Environmental Impact Report (EIR) - Notice
Date: Thursday, July 9, 2026 (07/09/26) to Monday, August 24, 2026 (08/24/26)
Cabazon Infrastructure Plan Final with Appendices
Please send your response to:
Riverside County Planning Department
Attn: Candice Hughes, Project Planner
4080 Lemon Street, 12th Floor
PO Box 1409
Riverside, CA 92502
(951) 955-0606
Email: [email protected]
Past
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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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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