Every North County city runs its own building permit portal. Here is each one for Encinitas, Solana Beach and Del Mar: how to apply, whether you can look up a property without an account, and who answers the phone.
Permit portals by town
| Town | How you apply | Look up a property | Phone | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Encinitas | Customer Self Service (CSS). Paperless: every permit is applied for in CSS, not in person; register first, approved within 24 business hours. | Yes: the CSS map or search by address or APN shows the records on a property. | Building 760-633-2730, building@encinitasca.gov; Planning 760-633-2710; Engineering 760-633-2706; Fire Prevention 760-633-2820. | Trade permits take about 7-10 days to review, bigger projects about 30. Request inspections in CSS by 3pm the business day before. Permit fees are waived or reduced for solar and EV chargers. Every permit needs an inspection within 180 days or it expires. |
| Solana Beach | eTrakit (online permits), plus a building permit fee estimator; SolarAPP+ for roof-mount solar. | eTrakit has a permit search. | Permit counter (858) 720-4450, Counter@cosb.org; inspections (858) 720-4455; fire prevention (858) 863-3116. | Counter Mon-Thu 7:30am-5:30pm and alternate Fridays 8am-5pm, closed daily 12-1pm and Tuesdays 9:30am-noon. |
| Del Mar | eTRAKiT: apply online for mechanical, electrical, plumbing and re-roof permits (since April 2023), plus ADU and other applications. | Yes: "No login account is required to perform a basic search for project or permit information." | Building (858) 375-9514, Building@delmar.ca.us. | Counter at City Hall Monday and Wednesday 1:00-5:30pm; remote the other weekdays. |
From each City's own pages, read October 15, 2026: Encinitas Building, Solana Beach Building Services and hours, Del Mar Building Services and eTRAKiT. Carlsbad and Oceanside: Carlsbad's permit portal page · Oceanside Building.
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The fix: before you apply
- Look up the property first. Encinitas (CSS map) and Del Mar (eTRAKiT, no login) show past permits, so you know what's already on file.
- Call or email the counter with your scope before you submit; Encinitas asks each department about fees up front.
- Hiring someone? Check the contractor's license; in Encinitas they also need an active city business license.
- Solar or an EV charger? Encinitas waives or reduces the permit fee; Solana Beach and Encinitas take SolarAPP+.
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"If you need a building permit in Encinitas, Solana Beach or Del Mar, this has each city's portal, phone and hours:"
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Questions people ask
How do I apply for a building permit in Encinitas?
Online only, through the City's Customer Self Service (CSS) portal: register first (approved within 24 business hours), then apply. Building: 760-633-2730.
Does Solana Beach have an online permit portal?
Yes, eTrakit. The permit counter is (858) 720-4450, open Monday to Thursday 7:30am to 5:30pm and alternate Fridays, closed daily 12 to 1pm and Tuesday mornings.
Can I look up permits on a Del Mar property without an account?
Yes. Del Mar's eTRAKiT says no login account is required for a basic search of project or permit information. Building: (858) 375-9514.
How long does an Encinitas building permit take?
The City says trade permit reviews take about 7 to 10 days and larger projects about 30, approximately.
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