Del Mar approves one-year extension on fire station lease

The Del Mar City Council approved a one-year extension of the Del Mar Fire Station lease during its Aug. 18 meeting to allow negotiations for a new lease.

The city has leased facilities at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, at the southern edge of fairgrounds property, for more than 50 years for fire station operations.

“A one-story wood-framed building is used as offices and living quarters for firefighters and a one-story metal-clad vehicle storage building is used as an engine bay,” according to a council agenda report. “Included in the lease is the use of 19 associated parking spaces.”

The current lease ran from 2000 to 2025. The one-year extension, which runs through the end of June 2026, will continue under the same terms. The 22nd District Agricultural Association, which operated the fairgrounds, is responsible for HVAC, plumbing and electrical, and building repairs, according to the council agenda report. The city is allowed to make improvements to the facilities with permission and is responsible for maintaining those improvements.

“As the current lease term has expired, staff from the City and 22nd DAA are proposing to extend the existing terms and conditions of the lease for a period of 12 months to ensure sufficient time to facilitate the negotiation of a new lease agreement,” according to the council agenda report. “Consistent with the existing lease terms, the annual rent payment for Fiscal Year 2025-26 will be $135,450.”