Moving in Del Mar, CA

Parking is the hardest part of moving in Del Mar. A truck longer than 20 feet can stay on city streets for only four hours, and any dumpster or container in the right-of-way needs a Minor Encroachment Permit with No Parking signs posted 72 hours in advance.

Facts checked November 6, 2026. Independent guide; not a moving company.

At a glance

Population: 3,903 (ACS 2024 5-year)
Housing units: 2,550, about 27% vacant
Owner-occupied: About 53% of occupied units
Main routes: I-5, Camino del Mar (Hwy 101)
Big events: San Diego County Fair, summer racing meet

How long can a moving truck park in Del Mar?

Four hours. Del Mar Municipal Code 14.16.060 limits oversize vehicles, meaning anything over 20 feet long, 84 inches wide or 78 inches tall, to four hours anywhere in the city. A 26-foot box truck qualifies.

For a full-day house move, that usually means splitting the job, using a smaller truck, or securing off-street space. Talk to the mover about it when you get the estimate, not on moving day.

Do you need a permit for a dumpster or POD in Del Mar?

Yes. Dumpsters and stored materials in the right-of-way require a Minor Encroachment Permit and an approved Traffic Control Plan, which the City reviews within two weeks. Temporary No Parking signs showing the dates and hours must go up 72 hours before the work.

Right-of-way work is limited to 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. unless the City approves other hours, and 11-foot travel lanes must stay open.

How crowded is parking in Del Mar?

Very, in summer. The City's downtown parking plan found on-street occupancy of 77% on summer weekday middays and 83% on Saturdays, and an earlier study found virtually every space in the North Beach area full on typical summer beach days.

Beach-area meters cost $4.24 an hour from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. A weekday move outside summer gives the crew the best chance at curb space.

Which dates should you avoid for a Del Mar move?

The San Diego County Fair at the Del Mar Fairgrounds ran June 10 to July 5 in 2026, and the summer racing season ran July 17 to September 7. On racing's Opening Day, parking on northbound Camino Del Mar by Del Mar Plaza and on 15th Street became rideshare zones.

How much do movers cost in Del Mar?

Hourly rates match the wider San Diego market, about $150 an hour for two movers according to HireAHelper's October 2026 data. In Del Mar, the four-hour truck limit and tight parking can add a second trip or extra carrying time, so get each estimate in writing after a walk-through.

More than a quarter of Del Mar's housing units were vacant in the Census Bureau's 2024 five-year estimate. If you're moving into a part-time or rental property, arrange for someone with keys and building access to be on site.

Frequently asked questions

What counts as an oversize vehicle in Del Mar?

Over 20 feet long, 84 inches wide or 78 inches tall. Those vehicles can park for four hours at most (DMMC 14.16.060).

How early do No Parking signs go up in Del Mar?

72 hours before right-of-way work, showing the days and hours, under the City's encroachment permit guide.

What hours can work happen in Del Mar's right-of-way?

8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., unless the City approves otherwise.

What does beach parking cost in Del Mar?

$4.24 an hour at meters, enforced 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.