Del Mar — Variances and Exceptions

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

Del Mar's rules for variances and exceptions are found in the Zoning Title (commonly called Title 30) and are split between a general Variance chapter and a number of zone- or overlay-specific Exception/relief rules. A citywide Variance is a Planning Commission-level discretionary tool governed by Chapter 30.78 (application, findings, conditions, expiration) while targeted Exception Permits exist in zone chapters (notably the Central Commercial — CC zone) with their own findings. Many coastal or overlay chapters expressly limit or prohibit variance relief — verify overlay applicability early. See the rules for how variances are applied (notice, hearing, recordation of conditions) in § 30.78.020 through § 30.78.090 .

Important cross‑references (first mention links): Del Mar's rules interact frequently with the city's Development Standards, municipal Parking rules, Design Review process, Overlay Districts, rules on Nonconforming Uses, and accessory dwelling unit rules for ADUs (/us/california/del-mar/adu); construction must also meet the California Building Standards Code.

How Del Mar treats Variances vs. Exceptions (quick legal frame)

• Variances under Chapter 30.78 are a relief mechanism from the terms of the Zoning Ordinance where strict application would deprive a parcel of privileges available to other identical parcels. Applications are processed to the Planning Commission with public notice and require specific findings about special circumstances, non‑self‑inducement, minimum relief and no rezoning effect — see § 30.78.020 and § 30.78.030 .
• Exception Permits are site‑ or zone‑specific relief processes embedded in certain zone chapters (for example, the Central Commercial (CC) zone Exception Permit to relax horizontal zoning requirements) and use separate findings and decision bodies (City Council for the CC exception) — see § 30.22.033 (CC Exception Permit standards and procedures) .
• Several overlay and Coastal Development chapters explicitly state that their rules are not subject to the general variance process; relief must follow the overlay/chapter’s own language (examples: Beach Overlay, Coastal Bluff Overlay, Lagoon Overlay, Parking Chapter, and Coastal Development Permit chapter) — see the footnotes and specific overlay sections for each overlay for the “no‑variance” limitation .

Chapter 30.78 — Variances (core rules)

• Purpose: establish procedure and standards for variances consistent with the General Plan (§ 30.78.010) .
• Procedure highlights: file on City form and fee; Director determines completeness; noticed public hearing before the Planning Commission; minimum 10‑day public notice and mail to owners within 300 feet; resolution decision which is final after 10 days unless appealed (§ 30.78.020) .
• Standards (findings): applicant must show property special circumstances (size, shape, topography, location or surroundings) that cause strict code application to deprive the property of privileges enjoyed by similarly zoned neighbors; cannot be self‑induced; cannot constitute rezoning; cannot expand nonconformity; relief must be the minimum necessary; no variance to authorize a use not allowed by zone (§ 30.78.030) .
• Resolution content: a variance approval must document the privilege being matched, why the site is special, how strict application deprives the property, the degree of variation allowed and conditions imposed (§ 30.78.040) .
• Conditions: conditions attached to variance must be recorded as a covenant against the property; City may require security for performance; violation can lead to revocation after notice and opportunity to be heard (§ 30.78.050; § 30.78.080) .
• Expiration and re-application limits: a variance expires three years unless a building permit has been issued and substantial construction has begun; after denial you cannot file for the same or similar variance for 12 months (§ 30.78.060; § 30.78.090) .

Table — the most decision‑relevant items for Variance applicants

Exception Permits in zone chapters — example: Central Commercial (the CC exception)

• The Central Commercial (CC) zone's horizontal zoning rules are enforced to preserve a pedestrian, retail‑oriented downtown; the CC chapter includes a distinct Exception Permit process that is reviewed by the City Council (not the Planning Commission) and uses separate findings about street‑frontage constraints (§ 30.22.033) .
• The CC Exception Permit findings require the applicant to show the Street‑Frontage Building Space is constrained by unique circumstances (examples listed in the code include a floor level 36 inches or more above the sidewalk, a building set back 25 feet or more, or minimal windows facing the sidewalk), that those constraints cannot be feasibly overcome without undue financial hardship, and that the proposed use is allowable in the CC zone (§ 30.22.033.E.1–3) .
• The CC chapter also includes an administrative Exception for relief from determination of abandonment of a street‑frontage use with strict timing and documentation requirements (§ 30.22.033.F) .

Overlays and special chapters that restrict or preclude Variance relief

Del Mar’s Local Coastal Program and overlay chapters frequently limit the use of the general variance process; instead, relief must follow the overlay's own procedures. Examples include:

• Beach Overlay Zone (Beach OZ) — expressly not subject to the general variance process; exceptions only where the overlay or other implementing ordinance allows it (30.50 notes) .
• Coastal Bluff / Bluff, Slope & Canyon Overlay (BSCOZ / BSC‑OZ) — overlay chapters state they are not subject to relief through the Del Mar variance process; follow overlay language (30.55 / 30.52 notes) .
• Lagoon Overlay Zone — limited relief per that chapter (see 30.53 and its footnote) .
• Parking chapter (30.80) — includes an express note that the parking regulations are part of the Local Coastal Program Implementing Ordinances and are not subject to variance relief; parking relief is limited to methods in that chapter (e.g., Shared Parking Permit, parking management plans) .
• Coastal Development Permits (CDP) — CDP chapters contain their own rules and many CDP approvals/conditions are not subject to variance relief; check Chapter 30.75 and related footnotes (§ 30.75.020 and notes) .

Always verify whether an overlay or coastal LCP provision applies to your parcel because it may preclude a Chapter 30.78 variance and require a different path.

District-by-district breakdown (where Variances/Exceptions commonly arise)

Below are concise, Del Mar–specific summaries focused on the zoning districts most likely to generate variance/exception requests. For each: purpose, typical permitted uses, key dimensional standards (as stated in the code), and where the district applies.

R1-10 (Low Density Residential)

• Purpose: one‑family residential, preserve open/uncrowded character (30.12.010) .
• Typical uses: single dwelling, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in accordance with Chapter 30.91 (ADUs) .
• Key standards: setbacks and construction standards defined in Chapter 30.12 (see 30.12.040 for accessory uses; numeric setbacks vary by subzone—verify with the zone chapter). See the density and lot standards in Chapter 30.12 .

R1-14 (Modified Low Density Residential)

• Purpose & uses: similar to R1-10 — single‑family focus; see § 30.11.010–030 for allowable uses and accessory rules .
• Key standards: zone‑specific setbacks, height (commonly 26 ft), lot size/dimensions and FAR set in Chapter 30.11; consult § 30.11.070 onward for construction standards .

R1-5 and R1-5B (Medium Density Single‑Family)

• Purpose: smaller‑lot single‑family neighborhoods; R1‑5B includes beach‑area special rules (e.g., minimum front yard along Ocean Front) (30.14, 30.15) .
• Standards: typical height 26 ft, front/rear/side setbacks (e.g., front 10–20 ft, interior side 5–10 ft depending on subzone), lot coverage and FAR defined in zone chapters (§ 30.14.xx / § 30.15.xx) .

RM-West / RM-East / RM-Central / RM-South (Medium Density Mixed Residential)

• Purpose: allow duplexes, small multiunit development; standards differ by RM‑subzone (Chapters 30.16–30.19) .
• Standards (examples): height 26 ft, typical front yard 20 ft, interior side yards often 5 ft, FAR and lot coverage prescribed per subzone — see each RM chapter for the exact numeric tables and exceptions (e.g., 30.19.070 for RM‑South) .

R2 (High Density Mixed Residential)

• Purpose: higher density multi‑family (Chapter 30.20) with maximum densities and construction standards spelled out in 30.20.070 (density limits, setbacks, height 26 ft, FAR 35%, lot coverage, etc.) .

RC (Residential‑Commercial)

• Purpose: a transition zone between commercial and residential; mixed uses allowed with limits (Chapter 30.21) — consult 30.21.030 for permitted uses and 30.21 construction standards (includes ADUs per Chapter 30.91) .

CC (Central Commercial) — frequent source of Exceptions

• Purpose: the village center — retail, restaurants, offices, pedestrian orientation (30.22.010) .
• Typical permitted uses: lists of retail, service, limited restaurants etc. are in 30.22.030 and supporting lists (e.g., bakeries, bookstores, drugstores) — consult 30.22.030 for allowable uses .
• Key dimensional standards: CC-specific floor area ratios and lot coverage limits appear elsewhere in the Development Standards tables (e.g., 30.72.050 lists CC FAR = 45% or as otherwise specified) .
• Exceptions: the CC chapter contains the Exception Permit process for horizontal zoning requirements and abandonment relief (§ 30.22.033) — City Council hearings and findings about street‑frontage constraints apply .

NC, BC, VC, PC and Specialty Zones

• Each commercial/visitor/parking‑oriented zone has its own chapter setting allowed uses and standards (see Chapters 30.23–30.28); where a zone has an express exception/relief path it will be in that chapter (search the zone chapter for "Exception Permit" or "relief") — verify per‑parcel because overlay rules and LCP status may limit relief.

PF (Public Facilities)

• Purpose: public & quasi‑public uses, with some residential allowed on certain parcels (§ 30.31) — development standards include height 26 ft, specific setbacks (no general setbacks except a minimum 10 ft where adjacent to residential), and design review by the Design Review Board (§ 30.31.070) .

(For any of the above zoning districts, consult the specific chapter cited for exact numeric setbacks, lot dimensions, FAR and special exceptions. The code contains multiple zone chapters — cited snippets above are representative; verify details for a parcel.)

Checklist — what an applicant for a Variance must provide / satisfy

• Submit a completed Variance application on the City form and pay the required deposit/fee (Administrative completeness per § 30.78.020(A–B)) .
• Provide a site plan and supporting materials demonstrating the special circumstances of the property (size/shape/topography/location/surroundings) and why strict code application deprives the property of privileges afforded similar parcels (§ 30.78.030(A)) .
• Demonstrate the situation is not self‑induced, that alternate plans would not reasonably avoid the need for variance, and that relief will not amount to rezoning (§ 30.78.030(D)) .
• Prepare evidence that the requested variance is the minimum relief necessary and identify mitigation/conditions proposed to avoid special privileges to the site (§ 30.78.030(B); § 30.78.040) .
• Expect public notice (publication + mailing within 300 ft) and a public hearing before the Planning Commission; prepare to present all arguments at that hearing (§ 30.78.020(C–E)) .
• If approved, be prepared to record covenants imposing conditions and (if required) post security for performance; track the 3‑year expiration and plan timing for building permits (§ 30.78.050; § 30.78.060) .

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English Summary

If a Del Mar property is uniquely constrained so that strict zoning rules make it impossible to use the property the same way as neighbors, you can ask for a variance (Planning Commission review, findings required, conditions recorded) under Chapter 30.78; some zones (for example the Central Commercial area) have their own Exception Permit routes with different findings and decision authorities. Many coastal overlays and the parking/CDP rules restrict or prohibit variance relief, so check overlay chapters first. See § 30.78.020–090 for the variance procedure and § 30.22.033 for CC exceptions .

Source References

• Del Mar Municipal Code — Chapter 30.78 (Variances): § 30.78.010 – § 30.78.090 .
• Del Mar Municipal Code — Central Commercial Zone and Exception Permit: § 30.22.010 – § 30.22.035, specifically § 30.22.033 (Exception Permit procedures & findings) .
• Del Mar Municipal Code — Parking Chapter note on variance relief: Chapter 30.80 (footnote and § 30.80.010 – § 30.80.020) .
• Del Mar Municipal Code — Coastal Development Permits and footnotes: Chapter 30.75 (CDP procedures and limits on relief) .
• Del Mar Municipal Code — Beach Overlay Zone (no‑variance note): Chapter 30.50 .
• Del Mar Municipal Code — Coastal Bluff & Bluff, Slope and Canyon Overlay (no‑variance note): Chapter 30.55 / 30.52 .
• Del Mar Municipal Code — Lagoon Overlay Zone (notice about relief): Chapter 30.53 .
• Development standards and FAR table (useful numeric limits across zones): § 30.72.050 (Bulk Floor Area ratios table) .
• Zone chapters referenced for district standards (examples cited above): Chapters 30.10–30.31 (R1 zones, RM zones, R2, RC, CC, PF) — see respective chapter sections above for numeric standards (examples: 30.12 R1‑10 ; 30.20 R2 ; 30.31 PF ).
• Del Mar planning menu (internal reference pages used earlier in this page): Del Mar Zoning, Del Mar Development Standards, Del Mar Parking, Del Mar Design Review, Del Mar Overlay Districts, Del Mar Nonconforming Uses, Del Mar ADUs, California Building Standards Code.

Retrieved passages

• Del Mar Zoning Code (Section shall) High relevance show source text
• Del Mar Zoning Code (Section 65915) High relevance show source text
• Del Mar Zoning Code (Chapter 23.08.) High relevance show source text
• Del Mar Zoning Code (Section shall) High relevance show source text
• Del Mar Zoning Code (Section from) High relevance show source text
• Del Mar Zoning Code (Section 30.90.050) High relevance show source text
• Del Mar Zoning Code (Section 30.90.060) High relevance show source text
• CBC § 824 (Section occurs) Medium relevance show source text
• Del Mar Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text
• Del Mar Zoning Code (Chapter 24.21) Medium relevance show source text
• Del Mar Zoning Code (Title and) Medium relevance show source text
• Del Mar Zoning Code (Section 30.22.030.) Medium relevance show source text
• Del Mar Zoning Code (Section shall) Medium relevance show source text
• Del Mar Zoning Code (Section 30.31.070) Medium relevance show source text
• Del Mar Zoning Code (Chapter 30.55) Medium relevance show source text
• CFC § 66314 (§ 66314) Medium relevance show source text
• CBC § 66314 (§ 66314) Medium relevance show source text
• Del Mar Zoning Code (Chapter may) Medium relevance show source text
• Del Mar Zoning Code (§ 66323) Medium relevance show source text
• Del Mar Zoning Code Medium relevance show source text
• Del Mar Zoning Code (Section shall) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Del Mar Municipal Code — Chapter **30.78** (Variances): **§ 30.78.010 – § 30.78.090** . (§ 30.78.010)
• Del Mar Municipal Code — Central Commercial Zone and Exception Permit: **§ 30.22.010 – § 30.22.035**, specifically **§ 30.22.033 (Exception Permit procedures & findings)** . (§ 30.22.010)
• Del Mar Municipal Code — Parking Chapter note on variance relief: Chapter **30.80** (footnote and **§ 30.80.010 – § 30.80.020**) . (Chapter note)
• Del Mar Municipal Code — Coastal Development Permits and footnotes: Chapter **30.75** (CDP procedures and limits on relief) .
• Del Mar Municipal Code — Beach Overlay Zone (no‑variance note): Chapter **30.50** .
• Del Mar Municipal Code — Coastal Bluff & Bluff, Slope and Canyon Overlay (no‑variance note): Chapter **30.55 / 30.52** .
• Del Mar Municipal Code — Lagoon Overlay Zone (notice about relief): Chapter **30.53** .
• Development standards and FAR table (useful numeric limits across zones): **§ 30.72.050** (Bulk Floor Area ratios table) . (§ 30.72.050)
• Zone chapters referenced for district standards (examples cited above): **Chapters 30.10–30.31** (R1 zones, RM zones, R2, RC, CC, PF) — see respective chapter sections above for numeric standards (examples: **30.12** R1‑10 ; **30.20** R2 ; **30.31** PF ). (chapter sections)
• Del Mar planning menu (internal reference pages used earlier in this page): Del Mar Zoning, Del Mar Development Standards, Del Mar Parking, Del Mar Design Review, Del Mar Overlay Districts, Del Mar Nonconforming Uses, Del Mar ADUs, California Building Standards Code.
• DelMar_ZoningCode.md

• Official Del Mar code library