Del Mar NC zoning: height, setbacks and lot size

NC (North Commercial Zone) is a zoning district in Del Mar. Every value below was read from the Del Mar Municipal Code and links to its section (read October 2026). State laws such as the ADU and SB 9 rules can allow more on a residential lot. General information, not legal advice — read the code text and check with the city before you build.

Development standards in NC

The general rule for a typical lot in this zone. Zoning tables often attach notes, such as rules for corner lots, lots next to a residential zone, or new subdivisions only. Open “code text” under a value to see the table cell or sentence it was read from.

Maximum building height	26 feet § 30.24.070 · code text Height: 26 feet.
Minimum front setback	None required Applies: Except a ten-foot wide landscaped setback along any boundary with residentially zoned property § 30.24.070 · code text Setbacks: None, except that no development shall be located closer than 25 feet from a floodway zone, and that a minimum ten-foot wide landscaped setback shall be required on any NC zoned property along any common boundary or residentially zoned property.
Minimum side setback	None required Applies: No development closer than 25 feet from a floodway zone. § 30.24.070 · code text Setbacks: None, except that no development shall be located closer than 25 feet from a floodway zone, and that a minimum ten-foot wide landscaped setback shall be required on any NC zoned property along any common boundary or residentially zoned property.
Minimum rear setback	None required Applies: Except a ten-foot wide landscaped setback along any boundary with residentially zoned property, and no development within 25 feet of a floodway zone § 30.24.070 · code text Setbacks: None, except that no development shall be located closer than 25 feet from a floodway zone, and that a minimum ten-foot wide landscaped setback shall be required on any NC zoned property along any common boundary or residentially zoned property.
Minimum lot size	6,000 square feet § 30.24.070 · code text Minimum lot size: 6,000 square feet.
Maximum lot coverage	40% § 30.72.050 · code text Table row “P. NC”, column “Bulk Floor Area Shall Not Exceed a Ratio Of”: 30%
Maximum floor area ratio (FAR)	30 percent § 30.24.070 · code text Floor area ratio: 30 percent.
Maximum density	20 dwelling units per acre § 30.24.070 · code text Density: Up to a maximum of 20 dwelling units per acre

When a different number applies

The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in NC:

Minimum front setback: 25 ft — Only on lots next to a floodway zone: no development closer than 25 feet to it § 30.24.070
Minimum side setback: 10 ft — Ten-foot wide landscaped setback along any boundary with residentially zoned property § 30.24.070

Not on this page

We did not find a general stories limit for NC in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Del Mar Municipal Code.

Other Del Mar zoning districts

Who this affects

HomeownersArchitects and designersDevelopersReal estate agents

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum building height in Del Mar's NC zone?

26 feet — Del Mar Municipal Code § 30.24.070.

What is the minimum front setback in Del Mar's NC zone?

None required (except a ten-foot wide landscaped setback along any boundary with residentially zoned property) — Del Mar Municipal Code § 30.24.070.

What is the minimum side setback in Del Mar's NC zone?

None required (no development closer than 25 feet from a floodway zone) — Del Mar Municipal Code § 30.24.070.

What is the minimum rear setback in Del Mar's NC zone?

None required (except a ten-foot wide landscaped setback along any boundary with residentially zoned property, and no development within 25 feet of a floodway zone) — Del Mar Municipal Code § 30.24.070.

What is the minimum lot size in Del Mar's NC zone?

6,000 square feet — Del Mar Municipal Code § 30.24.070.

General information, not legal advice.