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
City Boards and Commissions advise and assist the City Council in dealing with specific projects, policies, and issues.
There are six City Boards and Commissions:
Finance
The City of Carmel-by-the-Sea is committed to community involvement and transparency in every step of the fiscal cycle. On this page you will find copies of the annual budget, the annual audited financial statements (“ACFR” or Annual Comprehensive Financial Report), quarterly reports of sales tax activity, and the latest fee schedules.
- FY 2013-2014 Adopted Budget
- FY 2014-2015 Adopted Budget
- FY 2015-2016 Adopted Budget
- FY 2016-2017 Audit
- FY 2016-2017 Adopted Budget
- FY 2017-2018 Audit
- FY 2017-2018 Adopted Budget
- FY 2018-2019 Adopted Budget
- FY 2018-2019 Audit
- FY 2019-2020 Adopted Budget
- FY 2019-2020 Audit
- FY 20-21 Adopted Budget
- City of Carmel Sales Tax Update Oct - Dec 2020
- Parking Violations & Bail Schedule
- 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
- 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
- City of Carmel Sales Tax Update April - June 2023
- City of Carmel Sales Tax Update July - September 2023
- FY 2022-2023 Audit
- City of Carmel Sales Tax Update October - December 2023
- FY 24-25 Adopted Budget Book
- Annual Comprehensive Financial Report - Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2024
- FY 2025-2026 Adopted Budget Book
- 2025 Ambulance Fee Schedule
- Revenue Tax Sharing Report
- City of Carmel Sales Tax Update January - March 2025
- City of Carmel Sales Tax Update April - June 2025
- Annual Comprehensive Financial Report - Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2025
- FY 2026-2027 Budget Book
- 2026 Ambulance Rate Schedule
- Quarterly TOT Reporting April - June 2026
- Bi-Monthly TOT Reporting May - June 2026
- Adopted Fee Schedule 2026-2027
- Building Permit Fee Schedule 26-27
- Building Permit Owner/Builder Fee Schedule 26-27
- Read more
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.
- Notice of Election on November 3, 2026 - Officers and Ballot Measures
- Notice to Voters of Date After Which No Arguments May Be Submitted to the City Clerk
- Resolution 2026-040 - Calling for the Election on November 3, 2026
- Resolution 2026-041 - Adopting Candidate Statement Regulations
- Resolution 2026-042 - Ordering Submission of Ballot Measure for TOT increase to the Voters 11-3-2026
- Resolution 2026-043 - Ordering Submission of Ballot Measure for Sales tax increase to the Voters 11-3-2026
- Candidate List for Nov. 3 , 2026
- 2026 Candidate Handbook for November 3rd Election
- Notice of Nomination Papers Issued as of August 4, 2026
- Notice of Extension of Nomination Period for office of Mayor and Councilmember
- Read more
Municipal Code
The CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA MUNICIPAL CODE is current through Ordinance Ordinance 2025-001, passed March 31, 2025.
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.
Street Addresses
New Numbers. Same Traditions.
Street Addresses are LIVE!
Utilities Update: You do not have to contact your utility service providers (PG&E, Comcast, CalAm Water, GreenWaste) to change your point of service address, at this time. The City shared the approved addressing data with service providers. Staff will continue to work collaboratively with service providers during the transition to the new addressing system.
Property owners will receive a postcard in the mail with the new address assignment for their property. For multi-unit properties, it is the property owner’s responsibility to notify their tenants and post the address numbers and unit identifiers.