Do I need a permit for a shed in Del Mar, California?
Sheds and other accessory buildings are allowed in Del Mar's residential zones. Setbacks depend on the zone. In R1-10, R1-14 and R1-40, a shed must meet the full zone setbacks (in R1-10: 20 ft front, 25 ft rear, 7.5 ft interior side). In other residential zones, a one-story accessory building of up to 500 sq ft can ignore rear setbacks, and side setbacks too if it sits in the rear 30% of the lot.
| Allowed | Accessory buildings incidental to a home [1] |
| R1-10 setbacks | 20 ft front, 25 ft rear, 7.5 ft interior side, 10 ft street side [2] |
| Small-building exception (not R1-40/R1-14/R1-10) | One-story, up to 500 sq ft and 30 ft long may ignore rear yard [3] |
| Side-yard exception | If entirely in rear 30% of lot or behind front 70 ft [3] |
| Max height | Zone height limit (26 ft in R1-10) [4] |
| No separate dwelling | Can't be rented or used as a dwelling without an ADU permit [1] |
| Coastal bluff lots | Sheds 40 ft back from bluff edge [5] |
| Portable storage containers | Max 4 times/yr, 15 days each, 60 days total [6] |
What's allowed
The R1-10 zone allows accessory buildings customarily incidental to a house, including a garage for up to three cars. An accessory building can't be rented out or lived in unless it gets an ADU permit [1]. The code defines an accessory building as a detached subordinate building, or an attached part of the house, used only for an accessory use. One that is habitable and has a kitchen counts as an ADU.
Setbacks
- R1-10, R1-14 and R1-40 zones: no special shed exception, so the zone setbacks apply. In R1-10 they are 20 ft front, 25 ft rear, 7.5 ft interior side and 10 ft street side [2].
- Other residential zones (such as R1-5): a detached, one-story accessory building of up to 500 sq ft and no more than 30 ft long on any side may disregard the rear yard setback. It may also disregard side yard setbacks if it sits entirely in the rear 30% of the lot or behind the front 70 ft [3]. The 500 sq ft counts the whole building, even space exempt from floor-area limits.
Height and coverage
A free-standing accessory structure can't exceed the zone's height limit [4]. That limit is 26 ft in R1-10, or 14 ft in the Bluff, Slope and Canyon Overlay unless a greater height is approved. Sheds count toward lot coverage, which is capped in R1-10 at 40% of the lot or 3,000 sq ft, whichever is greater.
Coastal rules
The whole city is in the Coastal Zone. Storage sheds at a single-family home are generally exempt from a Coastal Development Permit. The exemption doesn't apply on a beach, within 50 ft of a coastal bluff edge, near wetlands in the Lagoon Overlay, near steep slopes, or for significant detached structures in the CDP appeals area. In the Coastal Bluff Overlay, accessory structures including storage sheds must be 40 ft from the bluff top edge [5].
Portable storage
Portable storage containers are limited to 4 times a year, 15 days each, and 60 days total per year, and to 10 x 10 x 20 ft [6]. Portable sheds in an enclosed yard that are screened from the street are exempt from these limits.
Building permit
The city code we reviewed doesn't set a size threshold for a shed building permit. The state residential code exempts one-story sheds of 120 sq ft or less, but check with the Building Division and ask whether Design Review applies.
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Next steps
- Confirm your zone: in R1-10, R1-14 or R1-40, place the shed outside all required setbacks; in other residential zones, a one-story shed of up to 500 sq ft can go in the rear setback (and side setback if in the rear 30% of the lot).
- Check overlays: on a coastal bluff lot keep the shed 40 ft from the bluff edge; near wetlands or steep slopes a Coastal Development Permit may be needed.
- Ask the Planning & Community Development Department (858-375-9516) whether your shed needs Design Review and a building permit, and bring a site plan with dimensions and lot-coverage numbers.
Common questions
- Do I need a permit for a shed in Del Mar, California?
- The page doesn't give a building permit threshold. Sheds are allowed in residential zones, and setbacks depend on the zone.
- How close to the property line can a shed be in Del Mar, California?
- In R1-10, R1-14 and R1-40, a shed must meet the full zone setbacks (in R1-10: 20 ft front, 25 ft rear, 7.5 ft interior side). In other residential zones, a one-story accessory building of up to 500 sq ft can ignore rear setbacks.
- Can I rent out a shed in Del Mar, California?
- No. A shed can't be rented or used as a dwelling without an ADU permit.
California state rules for sheds and accessory buildings
Where a shed can go (setbacks, height, lot coverage, front-yard limits) is set by your city or county zoning code. The state sets the building-permit baseline:
- Permit exemption: the 2025 California Residential Code (R105.2) exempts one-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses if the floor area is 120 sq ft or less. Bigger sheds need a permit, and electrical or plumbing work needs its own permit. Some cities have amended these thresholds.
- Other exempt work in the same list includes fences up to 7 ft and decks up to 200 sq ft that are no more than 30 inches above grade and not attached to the house.
- Exempt doesn't mean unregulated: zoning setbacks, HOA rules and easements still apply, and some cities require a zoning clearance even for small sheds.
- Turning a shed or garage into living space is covered by the state's ADU law (Gov. Code §66314). An existing accessory structure converted to an ADU needs no added setback, and new ADUs need no more than 4-foot side and rear setbacks (see ADUs).
- Wildfire areas: in a state responsibility area, owners must keep 100 feet of defensible space around buildings (Pub. Res. Code §4291). Local fire-hazard rules may limit what you can build or store near structures.
- Coastal zone: a new structure is "development" and may need a coastal development permit (Pub. Res. Code §30106).
What the ordinance says
- Sec. 30.12.040(A), Municipal Code Chapter 30.12 - Low Density Residential (R1-10), p. 1
Accessory buildings and uses customarily incidental to a one-family dwelling, including a private garage or carport to accommodate not more than three vehicles. An Accessory Building shall not be rented or otherwise used as a separate dwelling unit, unless an Accessory Dwelling Unit permit is obtained and the unit is operated in compliance with Sections 30.91.040 or 30.91.050.
- Sec. 30.12.070(C)(1)(a)-(d), Municipal Code Chapter 30.12 - Low Density Residential (R1-10), p. 1
Front yard: 20 feet. b. Rear yard: 25 feet. c. Interior side yard: Seven and one-half feet. d. Street side: Ten feet.
- Sec. 30.86.200(C), Municipal Code Chapter 30.86 - Supplemental Regulations (animals, fences/retaining walls, swimming pools, temporary structures, yards), p. 1
Except in the R1-40, R1-14, and R1-10 zones, a detached, one-story, accessory building may disregard rear yard requirements if such accessory building is not more than 500 square feet in area and not more than 30 feet in length on any one side.
- Sec. 30.86.110(B), Municipal Code Chapter 30.86 - Supplemental Regulations (animals, fences/retaining walls, swimming pools, temporary structures, yards), p. 1
Notwithstanding other provisions of this Title, no free-standing accessory structure shall exceed the building height limit specified for the zone in which said accessory structure is located.
- Sec. 30.55.030(A)(5), Municipal Code Chapter 30.55 - Coastal Bluff Overlay Zone, p. 1
shall mean structures accessory or incidental to the principal structures on lot including, but not limited to, pools, spas, storage sheds, gazebos, and above-grade decks or patios.
- Sec. 30.86.180(B)(3)(a), Municipal Code Chapter 30.86 - Supplemental Regulations (animals, fences/retaining walls, swimming pools, temporary structures, yards), p. 1
A temporary storage unit shall be permitted for a maximum of four instances per year limited to a maximum of 15 consecutive days per instance and a maximum of 60 days total per calendar year per property.