ADU Builder in Del Mar | Custom Coastal ADUs (2026)

ADU Builder in Del Mar

Custom accessory dwelling units designed, permitted and built by one team — engineered for Del Mar's citywide coastal review and tighter size limits.

Get your free feasibility check → or call (619) 404-0125

Del Mar is one of the most valuable — and most regulated — places to build an ADU in California. Smaller size caps, tight height limits near bluffs and canyons, a citywide Coastal Zone, and ADU square footage that counts against your floor-area ratio all mean there's very little margin for a design that ignores the rules. This is a market where experienced design and permitting isn't a nice-to-have; it's the difference between a buildable project and months of corrections.

Why build an ADU in Del Mar?

Built for small-lot coastal

Del Mar caps ADUs smaller than most cities. We design efficient layouts that maximize livable space within the limits.

Citywide coastal review handled

Essentially every Del Mar ADU needs a Coastal Development Permit. We design and document to clear it the first time.

One accountable team

Architecture, permitting and construction under one roof — one contract, one point of contact.

Del Mar ADU rules at a glance

Del Mar — 2026 quick facts

Jurisdiction	City of Del Mar (citywide Coastal Zone)
Max detached ADU	850 sq ft (1-bed) / 1,000 sq ft (2+ beds)
Height	16 ft (14 ft in bluff/slope/canyon-sensitive areas)
ADUs per lot	1 ADU + 1 JADU (all residential zones except RM-South)
Coastal permit	Yes — CDP required citywide
Owner-occupancy	Not required for ADUs; ADU counts toward FAR

Del Mar's smaller size caps and FAR accounting make layout efficiency critical, and the citywide Coastal Zone means a CDP for nearly every project. See how it compares on our San Diego ADU regulations page.

What it costs

Del Mar is an ultra-premium coastal market, so projects typically land at the higher end of San Diego's 2026 ADU cost ranges. We give you a real budget in your consult — see our 2026 cost guide.

How we work — design, permits & build under one roof

Free feasibility check — we confirm your lot's exact rules and what fits.
Custom design + 3D — we refine the layout and show you the result.
Permitting — full plan set, structural, and the coastal permit if required.
Construction — built by our team, on a defined schedule.
Keys — final inspection, certificate of occupancy, and warranty.

See what your Del Mar property can build

We'll confirm your exact rules, what fits your lot, and a realistic budget and timeline — free, with no obligation.

Book your free feasibility check →

Del Mar ADU — frequently asked questions

How big can an ADU be in Del Mar?

Del Mar caps detached ADUs smaller than most cities: roughly 850 sq ft for a one-bedroom and 1,000 sq ft for two or more bedrooms. ADU square footage also counts toward your lot's floor-area ratio (FAR).

Do I need a Coastal Development Permit in Del Mar?

Yes — essentially the entire city is in the Coastal Zone, so a Coastal Development Permit is required for nearly every ADU, in addition to standard building permits.

What's the height limit for a Del Mar ADU?

Generally 16 feet, reduced to about 14 feet in bluff, slope and canyon-sensitive areas. Smart design within these limits is essential.

Where are ADUs allowed in Del Mar?

ADUs are allowed in all residential zones except RM-South (Medium Density Mixed Residential-South). We confirm your zone and what it allows in a feasibility check.

Does an ADU count toward my floor-area ratio in Del Mar?

Yes. Del Mar counts ADU habitable area toward your lot's FAR, which is why efficient design matters so much here.

Keep exploring

San Diego ADU regulations Our services 2026 ADU cost guide Recent work

Note: ADU rules change and vary by lot and overlay. Figures reflect our reading of state and local rules as of May 2026 and are not legal advice — we confirm your exact, current requirements in your free feasibility check. IL Total Design & Build, CSLB #1058676.