Government
Government
The City of Carmel-by-the-Sea is a General Law City and operates a Council-City Administrator style of government and derives its power from the California Constitution and laws enacted by the State legislature. All legislative power is held by the publicly elected, five member City Council which consists of the Mayor and four Councilmembers. While all Councilmembers enjoy the same powers and privileges, the Mayor has the additional responsibility of presiding over City Council meetings, signing official documents, and officiating at ceremonies and events.
City Council
The Mayor and four Councilmembers represent the residents of Carmel-by-the-Sea, review public policy, and adopt policies responsive to the community. The City Council meets the first Monday and Tuesday of each month at 4:30 p.m. (with the exception of Holidays) in the Council Chamber of Carmel City Hall located on the east side of Monte Verde Street between Ocean and 7th Avenues.
Boards and Commissions
There are six City Boards and Commissions:
- Building Code Board of Appeals
- Community Activities Commission
- Forest and Beach Commission
- Historic Resources Board
- Harrison Memorial Library Board of Trustees
- Planning Commission
City Boards and Commissions advise and assist the City Council in dealing with specific projects, policies, and issues.
Budget
The City’s fiscal year runs July 1 through June 30. Each year in June the City Council adopts its budget, including the Capital Improvement Plan and fees for City services.
- FY 2018-2019 Adopted Budget
- FY 2017-2018 Audit
- FY 2017-2018 Adopted Budget
- FY 2016-2017 Audit
- FY 2016-2017 Adopted Budget
- FY 2015-2016 Adopted Budget
- FY 2014-2015 Adopted Budget
- FY 2013-2014 Adopted Budget
- FY 2019-2020 Adopted Budget
- FY 2018-2019 Audit
- FY 20-21 Adopted Budget
- FY 2019-2020 Audit
- City of Carmel Sales Tax Update Oct - Dec 2020
- Parking Violations & Bail Schedule
- Building and Safety Valuation Tables
- City of Carmel Sales Tax Update January - March 2021
- FY 21-22 Adopted Budget
- City of Carmel Sales Tax Update April-June 2021
- FY 2020-2021 Audit
- FY 22 -23 Budget Questions
- City of Carmel Sales Tax Update July - September 2021
- City of Carmel Sales Tax Update Oct - Dec 2021
- Adopted 2022-23 Budget Book
- City of Carmel Sales Tax Update January - March 2022
- City of Carmel Sales Tax Update April - June 2022
- City of Carmel Sales Tax Update July - September 2022
- City of Carmel Sales Tax Update October - December 2022
- City of Carmel Sales Tax Update January - March 2023
- FY 2021-2022 Audit
- FY 23-24 Adopted Budget Book
- FY 23-24 Adopted Budget Book
- Approved FY 23-24 Master Fee Schedule effective September 9, 2023
- City of Carmel Sales Tax Update April - June 2023
- Ambulance Rate Schedule
- City of Carmel Sales Tax Update July - September 2023
- FY 2022-2023 Audit
- Read more
City Council Elections
The City Clerk conducts all regular and special elections and is the City’s Election Official. As the Elections Official, the City Clerk is the point of contact for all things elections-related, including but not limited to: candidates, citizen initiative petitions, measures, and campaign financial filings. The City consolidates elections with the County of Monterey.
Elections for City Council positions are held in November of even-numbered years. Council Members and the Mayor are elected at-large and serve staggering terms. The Mayor’s term is 2 years, and Councilmember terms are 4 years.
Meetings
AGENDAS
- Agenda packets for each City meeting will be published online and made available at the links below.
- Agenda packets for regular meetings will be available online at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting, and at least 24 hours in advance for special meetings.
- Upcoming meetings for the next six months are currently listed on the City’s calendar of events.
- Searching Past Meeting Agendas by Topic - instructions can be found
- Traffic Safety Committee Agenda 11-10-2022
- Read more
Municipal Code
The CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA MUNICIPAL CODE is current through Ordinance 2023-05, and legislation passed through July 11, 2023.
The City Clerk’s office has the official version of the Carmel-by-the-Sea Municipal Code. Users should contact the City Clerk’s office for ordinances passed subsequent to the ordinance cited above.
Public Records Requests
As a public agency, the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea adheres to the California Public Records Act (CPRA) which requires that governmental records shall be disclosed to the public, upon request, unless there is a specific reason not to do so.
Public Records Act (PRA) Requests
The City has a new online PRA request portal called NextRequest. Through NextRequest you can submit a PRA request online, search for published public records and documents, track your request, and communicate with City staff.
Parking and Congested Traffic (PACT) Program
Welcome! To address serious traffic congestion in our business district, the City has established the Parking and Congested Traffic (PACT) program. We invite you to be an active participant in the process. To aid you in being involved, we have curated these pages to include: