At the City Council Meeting on July 2, 2025, the City Council approved Ordinance No. 765 requiring emergency access preemption systems on new and existing gated community access points to allow for timely and reliable access to gated properties and to improve emergency response times. Under the new ordinance, all existing automatic gates within the City will need to have emergency access sensors installed by August 4, 2026. Any newly built automatic gates will need to have these systems installed as well. 

From now until January 31, 2026, the City of Indian Wells is offering HOAs and property management companies that are responsible for the operation and maintenance of automated gates a 50% rebate (up to $500 per device) toward both the purchase and installation of emergency vehicle preemption systems for automated vehicular access gates. These rebates are offered on a first-come, first-served basis to those who purchase and install their systems on or after July 1, 2025. The $500 rebate does not include shipping, handling, any applicable tax, the cost for device accessories, the cost for installation or any devices that are purchased but not installed. 

Rebate Eligibility:

• Rebates are only available for gates within the City of Indian Wells.
• Applicants must be an HOA board member, an authorized agent of the HOA or the property manager for the HOA.
• Applicants must provide documentation showing the purchase and installation of the preemption device on an automated vehicular access gate owned or managed by the HOA, such as photocopies of receipts or proof of payments and photos of the installed device.
• The device must have been purchased and installed on or after July 1, 2025, and the application must be approved by or before January 31, 2026.
• You may not submit your rebate request until you have fully paid for and installed the device.
• The Rebate Program is available for any brand or type of device, so long as the sensors on CalFIRE emergency apparatus can effectively open the gate. If you have questions about whether a device is eligible for a rebate, please call (760) 346-2489.

How to Apply:

Rebate applications may be submitted in person at Indian Wells City Hall or sent via email to  kNelson@IndianWells.com starting on August 4, 2025. You must:

1. Determine whether the device is eligible for the rebate.
2. Purchase and install the device.
3. Complete the Indian Wells Rebate Application, attaching all required documentation. You must answer all questions, provide proof of your authority and provide proof of purchase or payment(s) made.

A map of automated vehicular access gates throughout the Indian Wells community is available below. If your access gate is not listed on the provided map, contact the City at (760) 346-2489.

If you have any further questions, please contact Kristen Nelson or Wes Remaklus at (760) 346-2489.