What to Know
- Del Mar has been a dog-friendly city since its incorporation nearly 60 years ago.
- New rules will let dogs go off-leash year-round from dawn until 8 a.m. north of 29th Street.
- The change takes effect on October 4.
Changes are coming to Del Mar’s leash regulation with a vote to let dogs walk a little freer on its beaches in the morning.
Del Mar has one of the highest percentages of dog-friendly beaches in San Diego, if not one of the most in all of Southern California, said Jon Edelbrock, Del Mar’s Director of Community Services and Lifeguard Chief.
With a growing area for dogs to run freely, comes the question of enforcement.
The city council was given three options: no new enforcement efforts, increased efforts with existing officers and new officers, or increased efforts with more staff at different times of the day, according to city council documents.
The Del Mar City Council voted for the second option. It’s estimated to cost $22,000, according to the council's staff report.
Previously, the rules stated that dogs must be on a leash from June 15 to Labor Day north of 29th Street. Dogs are not allowed from Powerhouse Park to 29th Street during this time. They are allowed in this area during the off-season if they're on a leash.
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The new rules will let dogs go off-leash year-round from dawn until 8 a.m. north of 29th Street. During the off-season, dogs may go off-leash north of 25th Street.
Dogs will still be required to be on a leash from Torrey Pines State Beach to Powerhouse Park.
On September 4, the Del Mar City Council unanimously approved its rule changes, which take effect 30 days later on October 4.
Under the new regulation, the city is able to add specially trained officers to enforce its rules, including the new leash laws. Previously, the city only used the existing staff like park rangers or lifeguards as enforcement.
The fine for not leashing a dog in required areas can be up to $285, Edelbrock said. More than 30 tickets were written for dog violations during the summer.
Del Mar has seen more of a “reactive” approach to citing violations in the past, according to a staff report.
The city’s leash laws for dogs at its beaches haven’t been changed in 30 years, according to council documents. Though, the ordinance change has been in discussion for the past year and a half, according to Clem Brown, Del Mar’s Environmental Sustainability and Special Projects Manager.
For changes like this one, members can bring forward a petition to the council to amend the ordinance, the council discusses, the California Coastal Commission provides feedback, and the proposal is voted on, Brown said.
Del Mar said it’s been a dog-friendly city since its incorporation nearly 60 years ago.
