About Del Mar, California

Single dwelling unit lots with a maximum of one primary dwelling unit have a right to a maximum of one ADU and one JrADU per lot.

Allowed Units:

• One detached or attached ADU
• One JrADU (converted from existing space within the primary dwelling, max 500 sq ft)
• In Del Mar, you are allowed to build up to three additional units on a single-family residential lot: one detached ADU, one converted ADU from existing space, and one JADU

Source: City of Del Mar – ADU Page

Lots with multiple existing primary dwelling units (e.g. attached or unattached duplex) are allowed to have more than one ADU per lot in accordance with California Government Code Section 65852.2(e)(1)(C) and (D).

Key Details:

• Del Mar allows up to 2 detached ADUs for multifamily lots
• Effective Jan 2025 (SB1211): Multifamily property owners are permitted to build as many ADUs as there are existing units, with a maximum of eight detached ADUs
• Non-livable space within existing multi-family structures may be converted into an ADU
• The maximum number of conversions equals 25% of existing units; fractional units rounded down
• A minimum of one conversion ADU is allowed

Source: DMMC Chapter 30.91

The maximum allowable size for a detached ADU is 850 sq ft for units with one bedroom and 1,000 sq ft for units with two or more bedrooms. Attached ADUs are limited to 50% of the primary residence’s floor area, up to the same maximum sizes. Junior ADUs have a strict maximum of 500 sq ft.

Additional Information:

• ADUs up to 800 sq ft are exempt from lot coverage requirements

Source: DMMC Chapter 30.91

4 ft side + rear setbacks; front setback per zone. 6 ft minimum building separation from all other on-site structures.

Important Notes:

• Front and street side setbacks may be greater than 4 feet
• Conversions of legally established structures are exempt from these setback requirements
• Additional setbacks apply in coastal bluff, beach preservation, and scenic overlay zones

Source: DMMC Chapter 30.91

Detached ADU: up to 16 ft (14 ft in Bluff, Slope, and Canyon Overlay Zone). Up to 18 ft within ½-mile of a major transit stop. An additional 2 ft if the roof pitch matches the primary dwelling. Attached ADU: up to 25 ft, two stories, or base zoning — whichever is lower.

Additional Details:

• You could build a two-story ADU in some situations
• Roof decks are not permitted on detached ADUs in Del Mar

Source: DMMC Chapter 30.91

Building an ADU in Del Mar requires obtaining proper permits from the City’s Planning and Community Development Department. The permitting process includes plan submission, review for compliance with zoning and building codes, issuance of permits, and subsequent inspections throughout construction.

Required Permits:

• ADUs typically require a Coastal Development Permit (CDP)
• Certain ADUs constructed entirely within an existing primary residence may be exempt from a CDP
• Del Mar requires a certification of height, setback, and square footage compliance prior to framing inspection

Source: City of Del Mar — ADU Page

Submitted plans that meet the requirements in Del Mar Municipal Code Chapter 30.91 will be approved within 60 days of a complete application submittal.

Timeline Details:

• Design-to-permit averages approximately 4 months total
• If the ADU permit application is processed at the same time as a permit for a new primary dwelling, the City may delay acting on the ADU application

Source: City of Del Mar – ADU Incentive

State law requires a streamlined, ministerial review process for proposed ADUs and JrADUs that exempts all such applications that meet each of the specified objective review standards from discretionary permit review, including design review.

Key Points:

• ADUs meeting objective standards skip Design Review Board entirely
• Del Mar’s objective design standards manual was adopted September 2024

Source: City of Del Mar – ADU Page

Yes. Del Mar requires a deed restriction recorded with the County Recorder prior to building permit issuance. The permit process for legalization of a dwelling unit involves obtaining an Administrative CDP, Building Permit, and recording a deed restriction with the County Recorder requiring the unit to be used as a dwelling unit.

Requirements:

• Deed restriction includes acknowledgment of overlay-zone limitations where applicable
• Required for both ADUs and JrADUs on private property

Source: DMMC Chapter 30.91

A local agency shall require that a rental of the accessory dwelling unit be for a term longer than 30 days.

Rental Rules:

• Short-term rentals (under 30 days) are NOT allowed for ADUs in Del Mar
• JADUs can no longer be used as short-term rentals under 2026 state law updates
• Long-term rental (31+ days) permitted

Source: DMMC Chapter 30.91

AB 976 eliminated owner-occupancy requirements except for Junior Accessory Dwelling Units.

Current Requirements:

• ADUs: No owner-occupancy required
• JrADUs: If a JADU shares sanitation facilities with the main house, then owner occupancy is required. If a JADU has its own bathroom, then owner occupancy is NOT required

Source: HCD ADU Handbook

Under Del Mar’s regulations, an ADU generally cannot be sold separately from the primary dwelling unit, with a limited exception for certain deed-restricted affordable housing scenarios as described in the local code.

Important Notes:

• State law has created limited separate-sale pathways, but they typically require local opt-in programs
• Always verify Del Mar’s current implementation status with the Planning Department

Source: DMMC Chapter 30.91

A parking space is not required for an ADU in Del Mar if it is within ½-mile walking distance from public transit, within an established historic district, or converted from existing space of a primary residence or accessory structure.

Updated Requirements:

• Effective Jan 2025 (SB 1211): When a garage or carport is demolished or converted for ADU construction, replacement parking is not required
• If parking is required, it may be located within setbacks and in an existing driveway as tandem parking

Source: DMMC Chapter 30.91

Yes. Conversions of legally established structures converted into an ADU are exempt from setback requirements.

Key Points:

• Parking spaces don’t need to be replaced when a garage, carport, or covered parking structure is demolished in conjunction with ADU construction
• Must still comply with building code, fire code, and coastal resource protections

Source: DMMC Chapter 30.91

Del Mar’s ADU code prohibits ADUs in several environmentally sensitive locations, including:

Prohibited Locations:

• On a beach or seaward of mean high tide line
• Within wetland buffers or environmentally sensitive habitat areas
• Within a coastal bluff setback
• In a highly scenic area as determined by the certified LCP
• A soils (geotechnical) report is generally required for properties within the Coastal Bluff Overlay Zone or steep slope and canyon areas

Source: DMMC Chapter 30.91

Yes. Del Mar ADUs/JrADUs in fire hazard zones must comply with applicable building code standards.

Fire Safety Requirements:

• Fire sprinklers shall not be required in an ADU if sprinklers are not required for the primary residence
• A JADU cannot trigger a sprinkler requirement if the main home does not already have sprinklers (2026 update)
• Properties in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones must demonstrate evacuation route compliance

Source: DMMC Chapter 30.91

The state has reduced or completely waived fees for ADUs that are less than 750 sq ft.

Fee Structure:

• ADUs are generally not treated as new residential uses for utility connection fee calculation
• Conversions within existing structures may avoid new connection fees if meter sizing is adequate
• ADUs that have less than 750 sq ft of living area are exempt from impact fees

Source: DMMC Chapter 30.91

Del Mar provides three separate and distinct ADU floor plans that adhere to both State mandates and Del Mar Municipal Code. The sample floor plans, developed by Stephen Dalton Architects, are only floor plans and will still require formal construction drawings.

Plan Details:

• Free for public use; available as floor plans + 3D models
• Submitted plans that meet the requirements in DMMC Section 30.91 will be approved within 60 days

Source: City of Del Mar – ADU Sample Floor Plans

The City has multiple programs: ADU Amnesty Program — seeks owners willing to legalize unpermitted units in exchange for incentives. ADU Incentive Program — seeks owners willing to dedicate affordable units available for rent to low-income households for at least 30 years in exchange for incentives.

Program Status:

• The ADU Amnesty Program was in effect through December 4, 2025. It provided incentives to property owners to obtain permits to legalize unpermitted ADUs
• As of March 3, 2026, the Amnesty Program has expired unless extended — contact the City to verify
• Options are available for partial or full reimbursement of permit fees, plan preparation costs, and/or code enforcement fines for owners who participate

Source: City of Del Mar – ADU Incentive Programs