Ordinance prohibits digging hazardous holes
Have a great day at the beach, but don’t go overboard with the digging.
As of March 25, a City of Del Mar ordinance prohibits digging holes deeper than two feet on the public beach.
On beaches that attract nearly 3 million visitors annually, large holes can create trip-and-fall risks, hinder access of emergency vehicles and equipment and cause injury or suffocation.
In addition to the two-foot depth limit, the ordinance prohibits burying individuals below sand grade and requires that beachgoers backfill their excavations.
Hazardous holes can be especially dangerous for kids. Accordingly, the ordinance holds parents or guardians liable when minors dig holes deeper than two feet.
Los Angeles County and the cities of Imperial Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach and Huntington Beach have adopted similar policies.
In Del Mar, the Community Services Department will inform beachgoers with signage and verbal contacts. When necessary, noncompliance could result in warnings or administrative citations.
Open staff report
Open ordinance
