Carlsbad, CA
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Residents
The City of Carlsbad is here to serve our residents. If you don't see what you're looking for, give us a call at 442-339-2820 during business hours and we would be happy to help. Or email us at help@carlsbadca.gov.
Ready to have some fun? The City of Carlsbad offers residents so many things to see and do, it's hard to know where to start:
- Enjoy the arts? Check out the city's sculpture garden, art gallery and free concerts in the park.
- Being active and healthy is part of the Carlsbad way of life. Join a youth or adult sports league.
- Check out all the fun City of Carlsbad special events.
- Looking for a great read or low-cost entertainment? Enjoy choosing from more than 300,000 books, DVDs, CDs and audiobooks at the city's three libraries.
- Ready to get back to nature? Take a walk on Carlsbad’s extensive trail system.
- Enjoy spectacular ocean views while working on your game at The Crossings at Carlsbad golf course
- Want to meet other active adults 50+? The city's senior center has programs and events all year long.
- Speaking of events, be sure to check the city's online calendar for upcoming city events.
- Water activities abound year-round. Surf Carlsbad's beaches, take a boat or go fishing in one of the lagoons, swim at Alga Norte Aquatic Center or the Monroe Street Pool.
- Kids looking for something to do? Try one of the city's beautiful parks, attend a library story time or sign up for classes and camps.
- Interested in local history? Take a self-guided tour of historic sites in Carlsbad.
Quick links
Alga Norte Aquatic Center
Beaches
Lagoons
Trails
LEGOLAND
Visit Carlsbad
Find a Hotel
Golf
Events
Surf & Weather
Meetings & conferences
Facility rentals
Need help? Try our new online reporting system.
Or, check our knowledge bank below for some of the most commonly requested information and services. Not sure where to start? The city manager's office is always happy to assist, 442-339-2820.
- Abandoned Vehicles: 442-339-2289 for RVs and other vehicles parked on the street for more than 72 hours
- Animal and Pest Problems
- Bee Removal
- Construction Complaints
- Construction Updates: 442-339-2780, ext. 7301
- Flight Noise Info
- Graffiti Removal Hotline: 442-339-2990
- Holiday hours
- Homeless issues
- Junk and Debris on Private Property: 442-339-2703
- Mediation Program: Call 442-339-2810 or email housing@carlsbadca.gov
- Noise Complaints
- Parks and Trails Maintenance Problems
- Sewer Division: 442-339-2722 to report sewer spills
- Solid Waste: 760-602-4646
- Storm Water Hotline: 442-339-2799
- Street-related Repairs
- Street Lights
- Tree Maintenance Problems
- Utilities Problems
- Water Division: 442-339-2722 to report leaks/breaks
News headlines
Review draft city budget
The City of Carlsbad’s proposed budget for next fiscal year invests in the City Council’s highest priorities, sets money aside for future infrastructure needs and grows the city’s cash reserves, while reducing spending to shore up the city’s long term financial health.
The proposed FY 23-24 budget, which is now available for review, reflects a call for all departments to increase efficiency and find new ways to reduce ongoing spending. In addition to lowering base spending by $2.3 million at a time when inflation is 6%, the proposed budget reduces city staffing by the equivalent of 12 positions.
Although the city remains financially healthy today, with a AAA credit rating, healthy reserves and among the lowest pension debts in the region, Carlsbad is facing new fiscal challenges as it transitions from a growing city to one focused on maintaining its high level of service. Fees from development, which have funded much of the city’s current infrastructure, decrease at this stage of life, leaving many cities seeking new sources of revenue, cutting back on services, or both. (Development revenue in the proposed budget is down 21%.) Long-term financial forecasts show the costs to maintain current levels of service will exceed projected revenues in as soon as three years.
The proposed budget maintains the city’s high level of service, which includes several programs added in recent years to address City Council priorities. These include a beach lifeguard program, a program to reduce homelessness, an additional fire station and two additional ambulances, a police ranger program for city parks and trails, increased spending on the arts, more pool lifeguards, additional parks, and enhanced efforts to protect the environment.
The proposed FY 2023-24 budget also includes added and expanded services to meet state mandates from the last several years that did not come with new funding. This includes housing laws, stricter recycling regulations, protecting water quality and managing public records.
A final area of pressure on the city’s budget is the increasing costs due to inflation and supply chain issues.
City staff will go over the preliminary budget at the May 23 City Council meeting, which is also an opportunity for community members to provide input, either by coming to the meeting and requesting to speak or emailing the City Council in advance of the meeting at clerk@carlsbadca.gov.
The city will also host a community budget workshop June 1 at the city’s Faraday Center, 1635 Faraday Ave., for those who would like to learn more about the budget, ask questions and provide input in an informal setting with city staff. The meeting will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
The proposed budget focuses on the community’s highest priorities, which are reflected in the City Council’s 5-Year Strategic Plan, approved in 2022. They are:
- Maintain Carlsbad’s unique community character and connectedness
- Prioritize the safety and well-being of the community
- Protect the environment and natural resources
- Foster a healthy local economy
- Be a model for effective and efficient local government
The city operates on a fiscal year that goes from July 1 to June 30. The final city budget is scheduled to be approved during a public hearing June 13.
At a glance*
Proposed Operating Budget |
$211.5 million
|
Projected revenues |
$212.0 million |
|
|
New savings |
$2.3 million |
Proposed staff reductions |
- 12.06 |
Projected reserves |
$118.4 million |
Pension funding |
86% (goal is 80%) |
* all figures refer to the city’s General Fund