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:
Budget
Annual Budget Adoption Process
The City’s fiscal year runs from 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.
The City begins drafting the annual budget in spring, with special budget hearings (special City Council Meetings) typically scheduled in May and June. The Budget is typcially adopted by Council during the June City Council meeting, and goes into effect on July 1.
See the attachments below to read the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget.
- 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
- 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
- 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
- City of Carmel Sales Tax Update October - December 2023
- Capital Improvement Plan FY 2024-25 + 5 Years
- FY 24-25 Adopted Budget Book
- FY 24-25 Fee Schedule - Effective 08/05/24
- Annual Comprehensive Financial Report - Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2024
- FY 2025-2026 Recommended Budget Book - Adopted June 3, 2025
- FY 2025-2026 Appropriation Limit - Adopted June 3, 2025
- Adopted FY 2025-2026 Fee Schedule - Effective July 4, 2025
- Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget Calendar
- FY 2025-2026 Adopted Budget Book
- 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.
Meeting Agendas and Video
AGENDAS
- Meeting agenda packets are available online at the links below.
- Regular meeting agendas are posted at least 72 hours in advance, while special meeting agendas are posted at least 24 hours in advance.
- Upcoming meetings for the next six months are listed on the City’s Calendar of Events.
- Need to find past meeting agendas?
Municipal Code
The CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA MUNICIPAL CODE is current through Ordinance Ordinance 2024-01, passed July 9, 2024.
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
One-Stop Hub: Street Addresses Exploration and Research
“Exploring Street Address” was placed on the City Council’s Strategic Priority List in October 2021, with the first staff presentation of background and research following in October 2022.