Del Mar is one of the more demanding places in San Diego County to build, and one of the most rewarding. Two square miles of hillside and beachfront, lot lines that date to the 1880s, a view ordinance that shapes second stories, and an entire city inside the Coastal Zone. None of that is a reason not to build — it is a reason to work with a contractor who has been through it.
Surfside Developers has been renovating and building along this stretch of coast for three generations. We handle kitchen and bath remodels, whole-home renovations, additions, and custom new construction in Del Mar, and we scope coastal review into the schedule from the first conversation rather than discovering it in plan check.
- Permitting authority
- City of Del Mar Planning & Community Development
- Coastal status
- Entirely within the California Coastal Zone
- ZIP codes
- 92014
- Neighborhoods we work in
- Olde Del Mar · Del Mar Beach Colony · Crest Canyon · Del Mar Heights · Del Mar Terrace
What we find in Del Mar homes
Del Mar’s housing runs from 1920s and 1930s beach cottages in Olde Del Mar and the Beach Colony to 1960s–70s hillside houses in Del Mar Heights and contemporary custom homes on the bluff. The cottages are charming and structurally idiosyncratic — post-and-pier foundations, knob-and-tube remnants, and additions layered over decades. The hillside stock tends to need seismic and drainage attention along with the remodel everyone actually wants.
Permitting and planning in Del Mar
The entire city sits within the Coastal Zone, so most exterior work beyond maintenance triggers a Coastal Development Permit through the City of Del Mar under its certified Local Coastal Program, with some decisions appealable to the California Coastal Commission. Del Mar also applies floor area ratio limits, a bulk-and-mass review, and a public view protection process that regularly shapes second-story and roofline design. Bluff-adjacent parcels carry additional geotechnical requirements. Plan for a longer front end here than in almost any neighboring city.
What we build in Del Mar
Home Remodeling & Renovation
From a single-room addition to a full interior and exterior renovation, we guide the project from concept to completion.
Learn more
Kitchen Remodeling
A well-designed kitchen is the social center of your home. We handle design, cabinets, counters, lighting and flooring.
Learn more
Bathroom Remodeling
Thoughtful planning and attention to detail are the keys to any bathroom remodel — more light, more storage, more usable space.
Learn more
Custom New Home Construction
From the first planning conversation to the day you move in — a custom home built to your site, your preferences, and your budget.
Learn more
Design-Build
One entity, one contract, one continuous flow of work from first concept through final completion.
Learn more
Commercial Remodel & Tenant Improvements
Complete build-outs for office, retail, and industrial space — partition walls, custom millwork, and precision trim carpentry.
Learn moreRemodeling in Del Mar: common questions
Do I need a Coastal Development Permit to remodel in Del Mar?
Very likely, if the work affects the exterior. All of Del Mar is inside the Coastal Zone, and the city issues Coastal Development Permits under its certified Local Coastal Program. Interior-only remodels with no change to the building envelope are often exempt. We confirm the path with the city before design gets far enough to be expensive to change.
How does Del Mar’s view ordinance affect a second-story addition?
Del Mar protects designated public views and applies bulk-and-mass standards, which in practice means second stories are often stepped back, reduced in footprint, or shifted on the lot. Designing with that in mind from the start is far cheaper than redesigning after a hearing.
Can you work on a Del Mar beach cottage without losing its character?
That is most of what a good remodel in Olde Del Mar is. We keep the original massing, window rhythm, and trim profiles, and put the money into structure, systems, and the parts of the plan that actually do not work — rather than replacing the reason you bought the house.
What our clients say about Surfside Developers
We specialize in helping our customers receive the biggest return on their investment — and we’d welcome the chance to give you a custom evaluation of your home.
“The quality of the finished work was great, delivered on time, and within our overall budget. What more can you say than that?”
Our experience with Surfside Developers has been outstanding. They came highly recommended to us by our trusted real estate agent assisting us in a remodel of our recently purchased home. With past contractors our experience has always been a hit or miss proposition, and so we were very nervous about committing to a major renovation on the order of $70K plus. Nevertheless, we were very confident of the plan upon our very first meeting with the owner, Derek Wattenbarger. Derek listened intently to our vision of what we wanted the remodel to accomplish and faithfully carried out the plan. And just as important, Derek provided great insight and advice to improve the execution of our plan when he saw opportunities to do so, as well as cautioning us when some of our original ideas were not economically feasible or may have contained an unforeseen downside. All through the process, Derek was completely straightforward, transparent, and respectful. Communication was terrific. All calls, emails, texts, etc. were returned promptly. He even introduced us to all of the various sub-contractors so that we had an opportunity to establish a relationship with them and communicate the details to the next level. Finally, and probably most importantly, the quality of the finished work was great, delivered on time, and within our overall budget. What more can you say than that? Highly recommended!
Jack and Sue SerrinoDel Mar, California“Derek has done over 25 jobs for my clients over the years and I hope to continue to do business with him in the future.”
Derek has been by far the best contractor I have ever worked with and his ability to listen to my clients and react to their needs is above what I had ever expected. Derek being classically trained and professionally educated shows. Derek’s knowledge of both the practical and the possible allow him to do both small and large scale jobs and for that there is nothing I will not refer his way. Derek has done over 25 jobs for my clients over the years and I hope to continue to do business with him in the future!
Seth O’ByrneSan Diego, CaliforniaBuilding in Del Mar?
Tell us about the project and we'll set up a free consultation at the property — no pressure, no obligation.