Departments & Services
Departments
The City of Carmel-by-the-Sea provides a number of services to the residents and visitors alike through its departments. Please see below for more information on each of the City’s departments or the City Directory to contact us.
Business License Applications
Small businesses are essential to our City’s economy. The City of Carmel-by-the-Sea is here to make sure you have everything you need to succeed. Explore our content and resources to help you manage and do business in the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea.
City Administrator
The City Administrator is appointed by the City Council and responsible for the enforcement of City laws and ordinances; ensuring that the orders of the City Council are executed; and for supporting Council, which includes the preparation of agendas and the maintenance of records.
City Clerk
The City Clerk plays a vital role in ensuring transparent, accessible, and legally compliant government operations. Serving as the liaison between the public and the City Council, the City Clerk administers elections, public records, legislative actions, and ethics compliance, while also managing official documents and public inquiries.
Key Responsibilities
Legislative & Records Management
- Prepares, distributes, and archives City Council agendas, minutes, and official documents
- Records, archives, and ensures compliance with City Council actions, ordinances, and resolutions
- Processes, finalizes, and follows up on Council decisions, contracts, and agreements
- Maintains and updates the City’s Municipal Code
Public Information & Records Access
- Responds to California Public Records Act (CPRA) requests, ensuring public access
- Serves as the City’s Public Information Officer (PIO) and custodian of official city records
- Publishes and posts legal notices in accordance with state law
- Manages public inquiries and relationships, ensuring transparency and accessibility
Elections
- Acts as the City’s Elections Official, managing local elections, candidate filings, and ballot measures
- Ensures compliance with state election laws and oversees campaign finance disclosures
Community Activities
The Community Activities Department’s mission is to encourage and support the interaction of neighbors, friends, families and visitors through the shared experience of special events, programs, and gatherings which bring the community together by creating opportunities to interact, celebrate, enrich people’s lives, and promote inclusiveness.
Community Planning & Building
The Community Planning and Building Department includes the Planning, Building, and Code Compliance Divisions and is responsible for preserving community character while fostering a vibrant community and a high quality of life for its residents, businesses, and visitors.
Human Resources
Human Resources recruits, develops, and works to retain a diverse, well-qualified workforce that reflects the high standards of the community, and leads the City departments in positive employee relations, talent management, succession planning, and employee engagement.
The purpose of Human Resources is to:
- City Administrator - Amendment #4 - Effective November 2020
- City Administrator - Amendment #2 - Effective March 2018
- City Administrator - Amendment #3 - Effective June 2020
- City Attorney Services - Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP - October 7, 2019
- City Administrator - Agreement Commence March 2016
- City Administrator - Amendment #1 August 2017
- City Administrator - Amendment #5 Effective October 2021
- Police Officers Association MOU Effective June 2023
- City Administrator - Amendment #6 Effective October 2022
- Pay Schedule Temp/Hourly Classifications - Effective September 1, 2023
- Workplace Violence Prevention Policy
- Pay Schedule Carmel Fire Ambulance Association - Effective July 1, 2024
- MOU Fire & Ambulance Association FY24-26
- Pay Schedule General Employees Unit (LIUNA) - Effective July 1, 2024
- Pay Schedule Management Employees Unit (LIUNA) - Effective July 1, 2024
- Pay Schedule At-Will - Effective August 1, 2024
- MOU General Employee Unit FY 24-26
- MOU Management Employees Unit FY 24-26
- Pay Schedule POA Unit - Effective July 1, 2024
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Police & Fire
Police
The Police Department is responsible for law enforcement and crime prevention within the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea and strives to maintain a high quality of life for all by supporting the rights of citizens and visitors to live in peace and safety.
Public Works
The Public Works Department is responsible for design, construction, operation and maintenance of improvements to public facilities, public rights-of-way, parks, urban forest, and Carmel Beach.
In the event of an emergency, please call 911. For repair and maintenance concerns, please contact the Public Works Department at (831) 620-2070 to report the issue.
Messages will be checked and responded to Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The following plans help guide our projects:
- 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan
- ADA Transition Plan
- Pavement Management Program Update
- 20-Year Regional Transportation Plan
- 2020 Storm Drain Master Plan
- Climate Adaptation Plan - Final, July 2022
- Climate Action Plan - Final, July 2022
- 2023 Storm Drain Master Plan Update
- Carmel Beach Coastal Protection Assessment
- Seasonal and Long-term Beach and Shoreline Change Analysis Presentation
- Shoreline and Beach Change Analysis
- 5-Year CIP For May 21, 2024 Council Meeting
- Facility Condition Assessment
- Beach Stairs Structural Evaluation: 10 North & 12th
- Carmel Public Library Master Plan Report
- Public Works Infrastructure Report Card (December 2024)
- Read more