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. 

BUILDING INSPECTIONS

On Wednesday, March 25, the City of Del Mar has resumed Building Inspections on a limited basis.  Please contact 858-720-4455 to leave an inspection request. 

Until further notice, Inspection Services will be provided as follows:

• Inspections involving unoccupied buildings and outdoor areas will be accommodated.
• Some types of inspections will be postponed at the discretion of the City Inspector to ensure the safety of the City Inspector and site occupants.  These include inspections within occupied structures, residences, and units.
• Inspections will resume by appointment only and will be coordinated by the City Inspector. 
• Only one point of contact may be provided on a job site during an inspection. Please remove all other workers from the premises.
• City Inspector reserves the right to immediately remove themselves from a job site at their discretion.  Inspections may be declined/postponed if there is a potential exposure to someone that is sick.

For more information, please review the City’s Inspection Guidelines.

BUILDING PERMITS AND PLAN CHECKS

On Tuesday, March 31, the City of Del Mar has resumed the electronic submittal of Building Permit Applications and Plan Checks, as well as final issuance of Building Plan Approvals and Building Permits. Note that these services will only be available in electronic format until the public counter is re-opened. To initiate a Building Permit application or Plan Check submittal, please email a request to Planning@delmar.ca.us or call 858-755-9313 for more information. To contact the City’s Building provider directly to inquire on the status of an existing Plan Check or Building Permit issuance, please contact 858-720-4450. As a reminder, City of Del Mar Building share services with the City of Solana Beach City Hall which has also closed its counter to the public until further notice.

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)