Del Mar, CA — 2026 Building Permit Guide

Q: How much does a building permit cost in Del Mar, CA?

Building permit fees in Del Mar, CA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is not published in plain text on web-indexed documents; appears in scanned City fee PDF link only.. Fees are calculated as: Municipal Code indicates permit fees and plan-review fees are based on City-adopted valuation tables and separate ordinance rates; plan review fees are additional to permit fees.. Plan check fee: separate from permit fee and charged at submittal for required documents; additional plan review may apply when submittals change..

Q: How do I apply for a building permit in Del Mar, CA?

To apply for a building permit in Del Mar, CA, follow these steps: 1. Confirm permit type. Most exterior construction improvements require Design Review before Building Permit is submitted. 2. If needed, request pre-application contact with Planning at planning@delmar.ca.us or (858) 755-9313. 3. Initiate building permit processing through Planning (planning@delmar.ca.us or call (858) 755-9313). 4. Submit Building Permit Application and associated documents electronically (no paper plans accepted) via email to Planning for transfer to Building/plan check. 5. If using eTRAKiT, create/login to AEC account and submit required permit type package with Building Permit Application PDF. 6. Pay required fees before application is processed; Building and Planning review stages do not proceed until fees are paid. 7. Typical processing sequence: Planning review (including zoning/design reviews) → Building Division plan check → final issuance/inspection scheduling.

Q: How long does it take to get a building permit in Del Mar, CA?

Building permit processing times in Del Mar, CA typically run Planning Department review in Project Processing Guide states ~15 working days from submittal for planning review.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

Q: What work is exempt from building permits in Del Mar, CA?

Not all construction work requires a permit in Del Mar, CA. The following work is generally exempt: Work not requiring a building permit per ordinance examples: One-story detached accessory structures <=48 sf for R-3 single-family properties Oil derricks Movable cases/partitions <=5 ft 9 in (with accessibility rules) Certain small water tanks on grade <=5,000 gallons and <=2:1 ratio Small platforms/walks/drives in accessory single-family back/side yard limits Painting/papering and similar finish work Temporary theater/film stage sets/scenery Window awnings ≤54 in projection on certain occupancies Small prefabricated swimming pools <=5,000 gallons for R-3 accessory use. Note: Even if an item is exempt from building permit, separate plumbing/electrical/mechanical permits may still be required. Most exterior work may still need design review/other discretionary approvals before any building permit is issued. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

Q: How do I schedule a building inspection in Del Mar, CA?

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Del Mar, CA via: Permit portal.

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

City of Del Mar, Building Services (Planning & Community Development handles planning counter intake for building permits)

Street address

1050 Camino del Mar, Del Mar, CA 92014

Phone

(858) 375-9514 (Building Services); (858) 375-9313 (Planning department for building permit request); (858) 375-9516 (Planning/Counter)

Coverage

City of Del Mar only; permits are reviewed for compliance with municipal code and other city approvals before issuance.

Online portal

eTRAKiT

Website

Department website

Additional resources

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Del Mar

City ordinance states permits are required for construction, alteration, demolition, repair, conversion, etc. for buildings/structures unless specifically exempt (23.12.084/301.1); permits also required for fences and retaining walls.

Scope of work

Permit?

Work not requiring a building permit per ordinance examples: One-story detached accessory structures <=48 sf for R-3 single-family properties Oil derricks Movable cases/partitions <=5 ft 9 in (with accessibility rules) Certain small water tanks on grade <=5,000 gallons and <=2:1 ratio Small platforms/walks/drives in accessory single-family back/side yard limits Painting/papering and similar finish work Temporary theater/film stage sets/scenery Window awnings ≤54 in projection on certain occupancies Small prefabricated swimming pools <=5,000 gallons for R-3 accessory use

Exempt

Exempt Work not requiring a building permit per ordinance examples: One-story detached accessory structures <=48 sf for R-3 single-family properties Oil derricks Movable cases/partitions <=5 ft 9 in (with accessibility rules) Certain small water tanks on grade <=5,000 gallons and <=2:1 ratio Small platforms/walks/drives in accessory single-family back/side yard limits Painting/papering and similar finish work Temporary theater/film stage sets/scenery Window awnings ≤54 in projection on certain occupancies Small prefabricated swimming pools <=5,000 gallons for R-3 accessory use

Note: Even if an item is exempt from building permit, separate plumbing/electrical/mechanical permits may still be required. Most exterior work may still need design review/other discretionary approvals before any building permit is issued.

Building code: City adopted Uniform Codes framework based on 2010 California Building Code and related technical codes, with permit administration under Del Mar Municipal Code Ch. 23.12 (2010 ordinance text currently in Municipal Code archive).
Permit validity: Not explicitly stated in the public pages/codes reviewed.
Owner-builder: Applicants must either be a licensed contractor or file an owner-builder exemption declaration under California law (BPC §§7031.5, 7044) on the City’s Building Permit Application.
Contractor requirements: For required permits, City form requires declaration that applicant/contractor is licensed under California Contractors State License Law or legally exempt.

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Planning Department review in Project Processing Guide states ~15 working days from submittal for planning review.

01

Confirm permit type. Most exterior construction improvements require Design Review before Building Permit is submitted.
02

If needed, request pre-application contact with Planning at planning@delmar.ca.us or (858) 755-9313.
03

Initiate building permit processing through Planning (planning@delmar.ca.us or call (858) 755-9313).
04

Submit Building Permit Application and associated documents electronically (no paper plans accepted) via email to Planning for transfer to Building/plan check.
05

If using eTRAKiT, create/login to AEC account and submit required permit type package with Building Permit Application PDF.
06

Pay required fees before application is processed; Building and Planning review stages do not proceed until fees are paid.
07

Typical processing sequence: Planning review (including zoning/design reviews) → Building Division plan check → final issuance/inspection scheduling.

Typical processing time: Planning Department review in Project Processing Guide states ~15 working days from submittal for planning review.

Source: City of Del Mar, Building Services (Planning & Community Development handles planning counter intake for building permits) ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Del Mar building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

Minimum permit fee

not published in plain text on web-indexed documents; appears in scanned City fee PDF link only.

Plan check fee

separate from permit fee and charged at submittal for required documents; additional plan review may apply when submittals change.

Permit fee formula

Municipal Code indicates permit fees and plan-review fees are based on City-adopted valuation tables and separate ordinance rates; plan review fees are additional to permit fees.

Reinspection fee

Fire/permit fee schedule lists re-inspection fee at $127.00; no publicized citywide reinspection penalty formula found in HTML-extractable sources.

Penalty (no permit)

Fire/permit fee schedule lists re-inspection fee at $127.00; no publicized citywide reinspection penalty formula found in HTML-extractable sources.

Credit card and e-check accepted online for all permit types/fees; cards or checks accepted at City Hall during normal hours. Additional 3% card service fee applies to in-person card payments at City Hall/Beach Safety Center (effective Jan 3, 2023).

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

Permit portal (online)

Inspection hours: Building counter service: Mon/Wed 1:00 PM – 5:30 PM (in-person and remote services) Tue/Thu/Fri: remote service only Building inspections by appointment, Monday-Friday

Source: City of Del Mar, Building Services (Planning & Community Development handles planning counter intake for building permits) ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Del Mar permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Del Mar, CA? ▸

02 How much does a building permit cost in Del Mar, CA? ▸

Building permit fees in Del Mar, CA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is not published in plain text on web-indexed documents; appears in scanned City fee PDF link only.. Fees are calculated as: Municipal Code indicates permit fees and plan-review fees are based on City-adopted valuation tables and separate ordinance rates; plan review fees are additional to permit fees.. Plan check fee: separate from permit fee and charged at submittal for required documents; additional plan review may apply when submittals change..

03 How do I apply for a building permit in Del Mar, CA? ▸

To apply for a building permit in Del Mar, CA, follow these steps: 1. Confirm permit type. Most exterior construction improvements require Design Review before Building Permit is submitted. 2. If needed, request pre-application contact with Planning at planning@delmar.ca.us or (858) 755-9313. 3. Initiate building permit processing through Planning (planning@delmar.ca.us or call (858) 755-9313). 4. Submit Building Permit Application and associated documents electronically (no paper plans accepted) via email to Planning for transfer to Building/plan check. 5. If using eTRAKiT, create/login to AEC account and submit required permit type package with Building Permit Application PDF. 6. Pay required fees before application is processed; Building and Planning review stages do not proceed until fees are paid. 7. Typical processing sequence: Planning review (including zoning/design reviews) → Building Division plan check → final issuance/inspection scheduling.

04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Del Mar, CA? ▸

Building permit processing times in Del Mar, CA typically run Planning Department review in Project Processing Guide states ~15 working days from submittal for planning review.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

05 What work is exempt from building permits in Del Mar, CA? ▸

Not all construction work requires a permit in Del Mar, CA. The following work is generally exempt: Work not requiring a building permit per ordinance examples: One-story detached accessory structures <=48 sf for R-3 single-family properties Oil derricks Movable cases/partitions <=5 ft 9 in (with accessibility rules) Certain small water tanks on grade <=5,000 gallons and <=2:1 ratio Small platforms/walks/drives in accessory single-family back/side yard limits Painting/papering and similar finish work Temporary theater/film stage sets/scenery Window awnings ≤54 in projection on certain occupancies Small prefabricated swimming pools <=5,000 gallons for R-3 accessory use. Note: Even if an item is exempt from building permit, separate plumbing/electrical/mechanical permits may still be required. Most exterior work may still need design review/other discretionary approvals before any building permit is issued. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Del Mar, CA? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Del Mar, CA via: Permit portal.

last verified April 2026 source City of Del Mar, Building Services (Planning & Community Development handles planning counter intake for building permits) ↗ entry id permits/california/san-diego/del-mar

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Del Mar, Building Services (Planning & Community Development handles planning counter intake for building permits) before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

City of Del Mar

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