Development Applications & Guides

PLANNING PERMIT APPLICATIONS

Effective March 17, City Hall is temporarily closed to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. This includes the public counter. However, the City of Del Mar Planning Department is still accepting development applications, but in electronic format only. Prospective applicants should send PDFs of applications, plan sets, and any other associated materials via email to planning@delmar.ca.us. After receipt of the application has been confirmed by Planning Staff, the applicant will receive an invoice and credit card authorization form for payment via email. Applications will not be processed until payment is confirmed. 

For those residents and property owners seeking to begin or resume a Citizens’ Participation Program (CPP), the following protocols have been developed allowing for electronic meetings instead of in-person gathering while conducting your required CPP process.

• An Introductory Meeting (CPP#1) during the Covid-19 crisis will be facilitated by the applicant/property owner via an online telemeeting platform (of their choice). Pertinent regulatory provisions applicable to Introductory CPP meetings, as set forth in DMMC Section 23.08.068, shall apply. Information regarding the meetings and how to participate in the meeting will be contained within the meeting notices mailed to neighboring property owners, posted outside City Hall and viewable on the City’s Agenda Center at www.delmar.ca.us/AgendaCenter.
• A Project Proposal Meeting (CPP#2) during the Covid -19 crisis will be facilitated by City Planning staff via telemeeting (Zoom Webinar). Information regarding the Project Proposal meetings and how to participate in the meeting will be contained within the meeting notices mailed to neighboring property owners, posted outside City Hall and viewable on the City’s Agenda Center at www.delmar.ca.us/AgendaCenter. Neighbors and interested parties will be encouraged to review the proposed plans and CPP exhibits, which will be accessible via the City’s website, prior to the virtual meeting.

This interim process has been developed as a means to continue customer services delivery to the Del Mar community while still achieving the goals of the Design Review Ordinance. The interim process will be utilized until such time the City Council officially determines regular (in-person) public meetings may resume.

TEMPORARY USE PERMITS:  "DRIVE-THRU"

In an effort to assist the Del Mar business community during the COVID emergency, the City of Del Mar is offering issuance of a Temporary Use Permit (TUP) to any restaurant or retail-business looking to provide food, beverages, and/or goods to the public in a “drive-thru or drive-in” manner (i.e., accommodating customers who remain in or are served in their automobiles whether on your private property or at the curb).  The City is expediting temporary allowances for this type of activity during the COVID-19 emergency. Due to recent order by the San Diego County Health Official for closure of on-premise services to the public, including dining, this temporary allowance provides flexibility to local businesses to remain open and provide services to the public. This temporary allowance would only be valid while the City of Del Mar is operating under a Local Emergency proclamation by City Council or otherwise restricted by further order of the San Diego County Health Officer.

If your business is interested in acquiring this temporary allowance, please fill out the TUP application below:

COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Use Permit (TUP) Application

Once prepared, email your completed application to Adriana Jaramishian at ajaramishian@delmar.ca.us. Fees will not be required. Planning staff will review the proposal and assist in requesting any additional information necessary to complete the application process. Should you have any questions, please contact Adriana at the email above or call us at (858) 755-9313.

If you have any questions, please contact us at planning@delmar.ca.us or 858-755-9313.

Most Requested Applications & Guides
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU & JrADU):
 - Accessory Dwelling Unit Application Packet (PDF)

Administrative Design Review (ADR):
- Administrative Design Review Application Packet (PDF)
- Administrative Design Review Guide (PDF)

Citywide Design Guidelines
- City Council Adopted Design Guidelines (PDF)
- Design Guidelines FAQ (PDF)

Design Review Board (DRB):
- Citizens’ Participation Program Application Packet (PDF)
- Design Review Board Application Packet (PDF)
- Design Review Board Guide (PDF)

May also be required:
- Coastal Development Permit (PDF)
- Floodplain Development Permit (PDF)
- Land Conservation Permit (PDF)

Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (WELO):
- Water Efficient Landscapes Guide (PDF)

Determination of Substantial Conformance (DSC):
- Determination of Substantial Conformance Application Packet (PDF)
- Determination of Substantial Conformance Guide (PDF)

Encroachment Permit (EP):
- Encroachment Permit Application (PDF)
- Encroachment Permit Guide (PDF)

Administrative Sign Review (ASR):
- Administrative Sign Review Application Packet (PDF)
- Administrative Sign Review Guide (PDF)
- Signage Calculation How-to Guide (PDF)