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Del Mar · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Del Mar

Del Mar sets when a small detached accessory building or a garage set into an embankment may skip yard rules. It also has a section on fences and retaining walls.

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Key points

  • Accessory buildings: One-story accessory buildings up to 500 square feet and 30 feet per side may occupy the rear yard, except in R1-40, R1-14 and R1-10.
  • Fences: Del Mar regulates fences and retaining walls in Section 30.86.090 of its code.

Each rule below is marked Del Mar code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Del Mar code What Del Mar's code adds
Size or lot coverage
  • No more than 30 feet long on any one side.
    Applies: Detached one-story accessory buildings in the rear yard, outside the R1-40, R1-14 and R1-10 zones.
    § 30.86.200 · code text
    and not more than 30 feet in length on any one side.
Side and rear setback
  • No rear yard setback. No side yard setback if entirely in the rear 30% or behind the front 70 feet.
    Applies: Detached one-story accessory buildings up to 500 square feet and 30 feet per side. Not in the R1-40, R1-14 and R1-10 zones.
    § 30.86.200 · code text
    Except in the R1-40, R1-14, and R1-10 zones, a detached, one-story, accessory building may disregard rear yard requirements if such accessory building is not more than 500 square feet in area and not more than 30 feet in length on any one side.
  • Side and rear yard rules do not apply.
    Applies: One-story garages inside natural banks at least 6 feet high. Roof: at most 1 foot above first floor; fixtures at most 3 feet 6 inches.
    § 30.86.200 · code text
    One-story garages located entirely within at least six-foot-high, natural embankments and so maintained may disregard the side and rear yard requirements

Lot splits under SB 9

Del Mar code The 2 new lots must be about equal; neither may be smaller than 40% of the original lot area. New units may be no larger than 800 square feet.

All 9 Del Mar rules on lot splits under sb 9, with the code text and the state law underneath →

Solar panels and EV chargers

Del Mar code What Del Mar's code adds
EV charger permit
  • Administrative, nondiscretionary review; the Building Official issues permits when the application meets the checklist and applicable laws.
    Applies: Applies to electric vehicle charging stations.
    § 23.22.050 · code text
    The Planning and Building Departments shall implement an administrative, nondiscretionary review process to expedite approval of electric vehicle charging stations.
  • You may apply in person, by mail, or electronically, and must pay the permit processing and inspection fees.
    Applies: Applies to electric vehicle charging station permit applications.
    § 23.22.040 · code text
    The permit application and associated documentation may be submitted to the Building Division in person, by mail, or by electronic submittal together with required permit processing and inspection fees.
Solar permit process
  • Administrative, nondiscretionary review; permits are issued after a complete application meets the eligibility checklist.
    Applies: Applies to small residential rooftop solar energy systems.
    § 23.21.060 · code text
    The Planning and Building Departments shall implement an administrative, nondiscretionary review process to expedite approval of small residential rooftop solar energy systems.
  • Only one inspection is required, and it may be combined with the Fire Marshal's inspection.
    Applies: Applies to small residential rooftop solar systems eligible for expedited review.
    § 23.21.060 · code text
    Only one inspection shall be required and performed by the Building Division, and may include a consolidated inspection with the Fire Marshall, for small residential rooftop solar energy systems eligible for expedited review.

Tree removal

Del Mar code What Del Mar's code adds
Exemptions
  • You must file a Notice of Intent with the Planning Director 2 working days before removal.
    Applies: Applies to a protected tree that is exempt from the permit requirement.
    § 23.50.040 · code text
    A person desiring to cut down, remove, destroy, or move a Protected Tree that is exempt from a permit requirement pursuant to this Chapter shall file a Notice of Intent, using a form supplied by the City, with the Planning and Community Development Director two working days prior to the scheduled removal.

Swimming pools

Del Mar code The pool barrier must have no openings. The fence or wall must not offer ladder-like or step-like footholds for climbing.

All 11 Del Mar rules on swimming pools, with the code text and the state law underneath →

Other Del Mar rules on this

Del Mar's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Del Mar?

Del Mar regulates fences and retaining walls in Section 30.86.090 of its code. Del Mar also has a related rule: Fences and retaining walls (§ 30.86.090).

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Del Mar?

One-story accessory buildings up to 500 square feet and 30 feet per side may occupy the rear yard, except in R1-40, R1-14 and R1-10.

Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Del Mar?

Del Mar's code: Administrative, nondiscretionary review; the Building Official issues permits when the application meets the checklist and applicable laws. (Applies to electric vehicle charging stations.) (§ 23.22.050); You may apply in person, by mail, or electronically, and must pay the permit processing and inspection fees. (Applies to electric vehicle charging station permit applications.) (§ 23.22.040).

Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Del Mar?

Del Mar's code: You must file a Notice of Intent with the Planning Director 2 working days before removal. (Applies to a protected tree that is exempt from the permit requirement.) (§ 23.50.040).

General information, not legal advice.

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Del Mar Municipal Code — full text

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