Fire administration hosts wildfire preparedness meeting

Fire Department administrators covered how best to protect property and prepare for emergencies during a well-attended community meeting May 20 at the Del Mar Civic Center Town Hall.

The session covered creating defensible space, hardening homes and other practices to safeguard people, pets and property in the event of a wildfire. 

The presenters—Fire Chief Josh Gordon, Emergency Manager Marie Jones-Kirk, Acting Fire Marshal Jordan Villagomez and Captain Morgan Sherman and team—also covered the importance of planning and collaboration among emergency responders across the region.

Materials from the workshop are posted on Del Mar's Emergency Preparedness webpage.

Open webpage

Council introduces SB 9 ordinance

The City Council on May 19 introduced an ordinance accepting Coastal Commission modifications to implementation regulations tied to Senate Bill 9.

SB 9 is the State law that provides for staff level approval of lot splits and multiple units on property zoned for a single dwelling — all without a public hearing.

In its review of Del Mar’s SB 9 ordinance from June 2023, the Coastal Commission upheld several key components important to Del Mar, including limitations on height, size, setbacks, parking and objective design standards.

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Open staff report

Watch meeting

Open SB 9 webpage

Monday: City offices closed for Memorial Day

City offices will be closed Monday, May 26, in observance of Memorial Day. All essential public safety and public works services will be uninterrupted. We will be back to business as usual on Tuesday.

Have a great holiday!

Tuesday: City Council budget workshop

As the City Council prepares to discuss a new, two-year budget cycle, the public is encouraged to participate in a budget workshop 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 27, at the Del Mar Civic Center Town Hall.

The two-year budget cycle covers the 2025-26 and 2026-27 fiscal years. Fiscal Year 2025-26 begins July 1.

In March, the council hosted a public goals and priorities workshop to open the discussion on the two-year spending plan.

Adoption of the budget is expected in June.

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Wednesday: Deadline to respond to ADU survey

Have you completed Del Mar's ADU survey? 

The anonymous survey closes on Wednesday.

So far, the City has collected more than 60 responses. We encourage all residential property owners to participate.

The brief survey asks residents whether they're interested in building an accessory dwelling unit on their property and, if so, what would it take for them to agree to rent the unit to low-income tenants.

As part of its State-certified Housing Element, Del Mar has set a goal of creating 15 ADUs for low-income households by April 2029. The survey is designed to help the City meet that goal.

Open survey

Open Accessory Dwelling Units webpage

Crime blotter: May 16-22

Cases: 0

Source: San Diego County Sheriff's Department

Wednesday: Kamishibai Storybox Theater

Don't miss a performance of Kamishibai Storybox Theater presented by "Write Out Loud San Diego!" from 2:30 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 28, at the Del Mar Library. Children of all ages welcome.

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Trash Talk: Did you know that...

...used toothpicks go in the green organic recycling cart?

Learn more about the City's sustainability programs at Go Green Del Mar. 

Go Green Del Mar webpage

DMVA's weekend getaway guide

How about spending the long weekend and, for that matter, the summer holidays right in Del Mar? DMVA's guide covers Memorial Day weekend and not-to-miss summer events.

Open DMVA guide

52-Week Challenge No. 45

Project Clean Water challenges residents to cluster their plants.

Open notice

Design Review Board (1 voting, resident member) Closes 4:30 p.m. June 13).

Measure Q Citizen Advisory Committee (1 voting, Del Mar resident or business representative.) Closes 4:30 p.m. May 30.

Traffic and Parking Advisory Committee (2 voting, resident members) closes 4:30 p.m. June 6).

Finance Committee (1 voting, resident member) closes 4:30 p.m. June 6).

Sustainability Advisory Committee (2 voting, resident members) closes 4:30 p.m. June 6).

Committees, Vacancies and Volunteer Requirements