Coastal San Diego · Place guides · Rules comparison

La Jolla or Del Mar? How the rules differ

Short answer: They sit near each other on the map, but they do not share a city hall. La Jolla is a community inside the City of San Diego. Del Mar is its own city with its own municipal code and Local Coastal Program. That changes who reviews a remodel, how rentals are licensed, and which coastal rules apply.

Buyers and sellers often ask me to compare La Jolla and Del Mar. I keep the answer on rules and process, not on which place is “right” for anyone. Places differ. People decide.

This guide covers jurisdiction, permits, rentals and coastal review. It is not about prices, rankings or who should live where.

I’m Weston Clark, Founding Member of the Dickinson-Clark Team at Compass. I help buyers and sellers in La Jolla, Del Mar and coastal San Diego sort out how each place’s rules shape a remodel, a rental plan or a purchase. You can talk about fees with Weston directly. This form does not give a commission quote.

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Related: La Jolla · Del Mar · Remodel rules · Coastal rules · Short-term rentals · Guides · Rancho Santa Fe Covenant · Village or Bird Rock · La Jolla or Pacific Beach · Del Mar rules

Two places, two city halls

La Jolla is part of the City of San Diego. Building permits, zoning (the city rules for how land can be used) and many rental rules come from San Diego’s Development Services Department and the San Diego Municipal Code. My La Jolla guide starts from that fact.

Del Mar is an incorporated city. It runs its own planning department, Design Review Board and certified Local Coastal Program. My Del Mar guide covers the place. A companion page on Del Mar’s remodel, rental and bluff rules is staged for later publish.

Who reviews a remodel

In La Jolla, the City of San Diego says: “A Building Permit is required to construct any new structure or improve existing buildings and other structures.” Plans go through San Diego Development Services. Parts of La Jolla also sit in planned districts and the coastal zone, so height and coastal review can still apply. See my remodel rules guide and coastal rules guide.

In Del Mar, the whole city sits in the coastal zone. A Coastal Development Permit — a city approval for work in the coastal zone — is often needed along with other city approvals. The municipal code says: “All properties within the City of Del Mar are located within the Coastal Zone as defined in the California Coastal Act and are subject to the provisions of this Chapter.” And: “Unless otherwise provided in this Chapter, no development, as defined herein, shall occur unless and until a Coastal Development Permit has been granted in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter.” Del Mar also uses design review for many projects.

Short-term rentals

Both places regulate short stays, and they do it under different codes.

In La Jolla (City of San Diego), short-term rental licenses follow San Diego’s rules. My short-term rentals guide walks through that process in plain words.

In Del Mar, Chapter 30.96 of the Del Mar Municipal Code sets a separate permitting process for short-term rentals. The city’s own page explains current permit capacity and waitlists. Always check Del Mar Planning before you assume a San Diego rule applies.

Coastal and bluff review

La Jolla shares coastal review between the City of San Diego and, where the appeal area applies, the California Coastal Commission. Bluff lots get extra care — see my bluff homes guide.

Del Mar’s Local Coastal Program and overlay zones (including the Coastal Bluff Overlay Zone) apply citywide coastal rules written for Del Mar. Setbacks (how far a building must sit back from a bluff edge or lot line) and grading near a bluff follow Del Mar’s code, not San Diego’s.

How I compare them with you

I put the two places side by side on the same checklist: who issues the building permit, whether a coastal development permit is likely, what the rental rules say, and what a bluff or beach lot adds.

Then we walk the streets and look at the home types that are actually for sale. The goal is a clear process map, not a ranking.

This guide is general information. It is not legal, tax or planning advice. For your lot, talk with the city planner and a real estate lawyer when needed.

Related guides on this site

• La Jolla — community overview inside the City of San Diego
• Del Mar — city overview
• Remodel rules — San Diego / La Jolla remodel path
• Coastal rules — coastal review in plain words
• Short-term rentals — San Diego license path

More on sandiego.homes

• La Jolla: community guide
• Del Mar: city guide
• Remodel rules: San Diego remodel path
• Coastal rules: who approves work near the water
• Short-term rentals: San Diego STR licenses

• More: All guides · La Jolla · Del Mar

Talk with Weston about La Jolla and Del Mar

Tell me which rules matter most for your move — remodel, rental or coastal review. I’ll help you compare the two places on process, not rankings.

Or call (858) 997-8998 · weston@sandiego.homes · Search on Compass

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Have another question? Quick answers to common questions

Sources

• City of San Diego — Building Permit
• Del Mar Municipal Code §30.75.020 Applicability (Coastal Development Permits)
• Del Mar Municipal Code §30.75.040 Permit Required
• City of Del Mar — City Development Documents (LCP)
• City of Del Mar — Short-Term Rentals
• California Coastal Commission