(This story was updated with new information.)
A proposal for the first In-N-Out Burger in Palm Springs has tentatively cleared one of its last hurdles, but a city panel withheld final approval over concerns about the restaurant building’s design.
On Monday, July 6, the Palm Springs Architectural Review Committee conditionally approved an updated design for the legendary burger chain. The updated plans are very similar to those approved by the city’s Planning Commission in July 2025.
The committee voted 5-0 to largely accept the redesign, but requested minor changes that will be reviewed at a later meeting, according to reports by local media outlets The Palm Springs Post and KESQ.
The restaurant would largely maintain its signature look for its new destination at 1801 E. Palm Canyon Drive, near Ralphs. The 3,886-square-foot restaurant would sit on a roughly 2.4-acre parcel in the Smoke Tree Village Shopping Plaza where a Bank of America branch used to sit. The bank building has been demolished.
The Planning Commission largely approved of In-N-Out’s initial plans for its newest location, but required some changes to the aesthetic of the building. The new design has a lighter color, with more landscaping to shield the drive-thru.
The architectural review committee requested more changes to the landscaping and alterations to some design elements of the building, according to local media.
In-N-Out’s development manager, Peter Kulmaticki, defended the design and said it was already a look “unique to Palm Springs,” but said the company will consider the further changes the committee asked for, The Palm Springs Post reported.
Some members of the committee expressed reluctance before voting on the conditional approval, The Palm Springs Post reported, but the restaurant had already gotten several reviews and state law meant the panel had to vote Monday either to approve or deny the design.
A total of 81 parking spots would service the restaurant. The drive-thru has been designed to contain 42 cars.
The proposal has met with some resistance from Palm Springs residents who worry about increased traffic and congestion within the shopping plaza. However, a traffic study estimated the expected demand at nearby intersections would remain within acceptable levels.
The Coachella Valley is already home to five In-N-Out locations, but the closest ones to Palm Springs are in Thousand Palms and Rancho Mirage.
The Rancho Mirage one, which opened in 2022, had been delayed by over a year after residents filed a lawsuit over noise, traffic and air pollution concerns. Although the lawsuit was eventually dropped, it highlights the lengths some residents will go to block popular chains from moving into their cities.
Palm Springs officials had earlier estimated the new In-N-Out could open at the end of 2027 or the beginning of 2028. But no updated estimate has been given, and it’s unclear whether the new request for design changes could cause a delay.
Sam Morgen covers local government for The Desert Sun. Reach him at smorgen@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Will Palm Springs get In-N-Out? Why it still hasn’t won final approval
Reporting by Sam Morgen, Palm Springs Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Sam Morgen, Palm Springs Desert Sun | USA TODAY Network
