Emergency: call 911. Not an emergency: the Solana Beach Fire Department office, (858) 720-2410. Fire Chief Bret Davidson: bdavidson@cityofsolanabeach.ca.gov.
- Fire inspection requests: (858) 720-2415 or fireprevention@cityofsolanabeach.ca.gov, with at least 48 hours' notice.
- City Hall: 635 S. Highway 101, 858-720-2400, Monday to Thursday 7:30am to 5:30pm and every other Friday 8am to 5pm.
City of Solana Beach, Fire Department and Fire Prevention, read November 5, 2026.
The department
The City says the Solana Beach Fire Department was established in 1986 and is recognized as an ISO Class 1 fire department, the top rating. It answers medical, fire and rescue calls; its firefighters post on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Who runs it now
Solana Beach and Del Mar share fire management. Effective March 31, 2026, Encinitas left the old shared agreement; a fire management team now oversees both departments, and Bret Davidson became chief of both effective May 18. Each city keeps its own station and crew: 18 in Solana Beach, nine in Del Mar.
City of Del Mar news, April 24, 2026. Del Mar's side: the Del Mar Fire Department.
Permits, plan checks and inspections
- Plan review: email the completed Fire Permit Application, the plans and supporting documents to fireprevention@cityofsolanabeach.ca.gov. The City asks for each document as its own PDF, named with the property address and the type of document, flattened with no security locks. Once approved, it emails you for payment: cash, a check to the City of Solana Beach, or a card with a 2.9% fee.
- Inspections (sprinklers and other systems in new and remodeled buildings): request by phone at (858) 720-2415 or by email, at least 48 hours ahead.
- Putting up a tent or canopy over 400 square feet? It needs an operational permit first (California Fire Code 105.7.16), with a Certificate of Flame Resistance and a floor plan. Under 400 square feet, no permit.
- Fire Prevention also runs business inspections and weed abatement and enforces the hazardous materials rules. Questions: (858) 720-2410.
City of Solana Beach, Fire Prevention: plan checks and permits. Is your home in a fire hazard zone? Solana Beach fire hazard severity zones or our fire zone check.
Free car seat installs, and the Safe Surrender site
- Free car seat installs: AMR's certified car seat inspectors install a child's car seat free of charge in the upper parking lot of the Encinitas Community Center on the first Monday of the month, 9:30am to noon, and check seats already installed. 858-492-3514.
- Safely Surrendered Baby: the Solana Beach Fire Station is a designated Safe Surrender site, where a newborn can be surrendered to care without prosecution of the parent; the station shows the Safe Haven Site sign.
City of Solana Beach, Fire Department community involvement.
Want a human to just do it?
- The permit packet, sent right: PJ gets the Fire Permit Application and plans into the separate, named, flattened PDFs the City asks for and sends the email with you. Family Assist, $30 an hour.
- Ready before the wind: AlertSanDiego and SDG&E alerts set up on your phone, and a walk around the yard with a defensible space list. Same rate.
- For a parent in Solana Beach: the alerts, the go-bag and a check-in on red flag days. The parent plan, from $25 a month.
"It's about being nice and showing up." PJ, a real person in Cardiff and Solana Beach. He doesn't do fire inspections or plan review: the Fire Department does. Prices are set in one place and shown before anything starts.
Nearby: fire today in North County · Del Mar Fire Department · storm prep · Solana Beach parking · king tides and flood advisories.
Sources: City of Solana Beach, Fire Department, Fire Prevention and Community Involvement; City of Del Mar, April 24, 2026 news. Checked November 5, 2026. Emergencies are always 911.
Need a human?
This page is built every morning from public data by SideGuy, run by PJ, a local in Solana Beach. If something looks off, or you want a hand with your plans, text PJ at 858-461-8054. A real person answers.
Local help, free to read: make your fix plan · senior benefits checkup · lower your SDG&E bill · Medicare Extra Help · every 2027 Medicare plan · is my medication recalled? · the next 90 days. Plans start as low as $25. Your parent lives here and you don't? The Parent Check-In Plan, $25 a month.
Questions people ask
What is the Solana Beach Fire Department phone number?
(858) 720-2410, the Fire Department office, per the City of Solana Beach. Emergencies: 911. Fire inspection requests: (858) 720-2415.
Who is the Solana Beach fire chief?
Bret Davidson. He became chief of both the Solana Beach and Del Mar fire departments effective May 18, 2026, under the two cities' shared fire management (City of Del Mar).
How do I schedule a fire inspection in Solana Beach?
Call (858) 720-2415 or email fireprevention@cityofsolanabeach.ca.gov, with at least 48 hours' notice.
Do I need a permit for a tent in Solana Beach?
Yes, for a tent or canopy over 400 square feet (California Fire Code 105.7.16): apply before putting it up, with a Certificate of Flame Resistance and a floor plan. Smaller ones don't need a permit.
Where can I get a car seat installed for free near Solana Beach?
AMR's certified inspectors install car seats free in the upper parking lot of the Encinitas Community Center on the first Monday of the month, 9:30am to noon. Call 858-492-3514.
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