Del Mar City Council

The Del Mar City Council serves as the legislative and policy-making body for the City of Del Mar, California ^[1][1] Del Mar City Council. "City Council | Del Mar, CA - Official Website." delmar.ca.us, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://www.delmar.ca.us/133/City-Council.. Operating under a Council-Manager form of government, the five-member council sets city policy, determines budget priorities, and allocates resources ^[1][1] Del Mar City Council. "City Council | Del Mar, CA - Official Website." delmar.ca.us, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://www.delmar.ca.us/133/City-Council.. The council oversees the City Manager and City Attorney while hearing appeals from the Planning Commission and Design Review Board ^[1][1] Del Mar City Council. "City Council | Del Mar, CA - Official Website." delmar.ca.us, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://www.delmar.ca.us/133/City-Council.. Members are elected at-large to staggered four-year terms, and the positions of Mayor and Deputy Mayor rotate among them annually ^[2][2] Del Mar City Council. "CITY OF DEL MAR, CALIFORNIA: Letter of Transmittal." delmar.ca.us, 21 June 2021, https://www.delmar.ca.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/1017.. For the 2025-2027 biennial period, the council manages an operating and capital budget adopted on June 16, 2025 ^[3][3] Del Mar City Council. "Budget & Financial Reports | Del Mar, CA - Official Website." delmar.ca.us, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://www.delmar.ca.us/146/Budget-Financial-Reports.. The city employs approximately 13 staff members per 1,000 residents to serve a population of roughly 3,954 people ^[4][4] Wikipedia. "Del Mar, California." wikipedia.org, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Del_Mar,_California..

Historical Background

Residents of Del Mar voted to incorporate the city on July 15, 1959, to maintain local control ^[4][4] Wikipedia. "Del Mar, California." wikipedia.org, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Del_Mar,_California.. The primary motivation for incorporation was to prevent the construction of high-rise buildings along the coastline ^[4][4] Wikipedia. "Del Mar, California." wikipedia.org, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Del_Mar,_California.. This move ensured the community would not be annexed by the City of San Diego ^[6][6] 1parkplace.com. "Information and History of Del Mar, California." 1parkplace.com, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://www.1parkplace.com/california/del-mar/history/.. Before incorporation, the area transitioned from a 19th-century seaside resort founded by Colonel Jacob Shell Taylor to a famous 1930s destination ^[7][7] Del Mar Union School District. "History of Del Mar." dmusd.org, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://www.dmusd.org/domain/156.. Actors Bing Crosby and Pat O'Brien notably helped establish the Del Mar Racetrack in 1937 ^[7][7] Del Mar Union School District. "History of Del Mar." dmusd.org, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://www.dmusd.org/domain/156.. In 2024, the council faced a significant internal deadlock following the retirement of member Dwight Worden ^[8][8] The Coast News. "Del Mar council will maintain vacancy through 2026." thecoastnews.com, 20 Nov. 2024, https://thecoastnews.com/del-mar-council-will-maintain-vacancy-through-2026/.. After multiple split votes, the council decided to leave the seat vacant until the 2026 general election to avoid a $250,000 special election cost ^[8][8] The Coast News. "Del Mar council will maintain vacancy through 2026." thecoastnews.com, 20 Nov. 2024, https://thecoastnews.com/del-mar-council-will-maintain-vacancy-through-2026/..

Current Events

As of March 2026, the Del Mar City Council operates with four active members due to a standing vacancy ^[8][8] The Coast News. "Del Mar council will maintain vacancy through 2026." thecoastnews.com, 20 Nov. 2024, https://thecoastnews.com/del-mar-council-will-maintain-vacancy-through-2026/.. On February 17, 2026, the council unanimously approved an $815 permit fee for short-term rentals following California Coastal Commission certification ^[9][9] Del Mar City Council. "News Flash • Del Mar, CA." delmar.ca.us, 18 Mar. 2026, https://www.delmar.ca.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1189.. Mayor Tracy Martinez led a regular meeting on March 3, 2026, where the council updated its Sewer System Management Plan via Resolution 2026-14 ^[10][10] Del Mar City Council. "3-3-2026 Draft Action Minutes Regular Meeting - Del Mar." delmar.ca.us, 3 Mar. 2026, https://www.delmar.ca.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_03032026-3024.. During the same session, the council reappointed members to the Undergrounding Program Advisory Committee to manage ongoing utility projects ^[10][10] Del Mar City Council. "3-3-2026 Draft Action Minutes Regular Meeting - Del Mar." delmar.ca.us, 3 Mar. 2026, https://www.delmar.ca.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_03032026-3024.. City staff also presented a $3.5 million paving program for Jimmy Durante Boulevard scheduled for the spring of 2026 ^[9][9] Del Mar City Council. "News Flash • Del Mar, CA." delmar.ca.us, 18 Mar. 2026, https://www.delmar.ca.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1189.. Public comment periods remain open through April 2026 for the San Dieguito Lagoon shoreline enhancement project ^[9][9] Del Mar City Council. "News Flash • Del Mar, CA." delmar.ca.us, 18 Mar. 2026, https://www.delmar.ca.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1189..