Objective Design Standards

FOR MULTI-UNIT AND MIXED-USE HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS 

Program 6G of the City's certified 6th Cycle Housing Element commits the City to create new Objective Design Standards (ODS), involving "measurable and verifiable" criteria, that can be applied to development projects where the City's discretion using the Design Review process is otherwise preempted per State law. These "standards" are intended to apply to any by-right/ministerially processed multi-unit and mixed-use housing development projects that include an affordable housing component. 

Creation of the City's ODS Manual to guide the design and approvals of "by-right" multi-unit and multi-use housing projects occurred between December 2024 and September 2025. The manual, produced by consultants Ascent Environmental, Inc. working with staff from the City's Planning and Community Development Department, was the result of robust public outreach, Planning Commission and Design Review Board workshops, and hearings prior to City Council adoption. 

The City Council adopted the Objective Design Standards Ordinance amending the Del Mar Municipal Code at its regular meeting on September 23, 2024. The adopted Objective Design Standards Manual can be found below: 

For questions regarding the use and applicability of the ODS Manual, please contact the Planning and Community Development Department at (858) 375-9516 or planning@delmar.ca.us.