lifeinaction
DoingBusinessinCarlsbad

 

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Workforce development &
small-business assistance

Carlsbad Commuter app

Carlsbad Life in Action Recruiter

Useful resources 

Looking to start your own business? Our questionnaire is designed to link small businesses with local resources, providing information to tackle some of the top challenges prospective small businesses commonly face. Be sure to check out our 10 Key Steps to ensuring your new business will have success!

The Guide to Opening an Eating Establishment provides insight on where you can open an eating establishment in our city and how the process works. Useful information for food truck and sidewalk vendors can be found on our website as well. 

New state and local environmental regulations are being phased in over the next couple of years. Find information on these regulations, as well as resources for your staff and customers, on the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle page.

Doing business

The economic development team is here to serve and support the city’s business community. Whether you are a small business or our largest tech employer, the city wants to make sure your business thrives in Carlsbad. The city team is here to help with getting your business license, bidding on projects and contracts or meeting with our development services team about permits and processes. You can learn more about the benefits of starting or expanding a business in Carlsbad at our Doing Business in Carlsbad story map. If you are a business looking for a new space in Carlsbad, please email economic development staff at business@carlsbadca.gov.

Talent attraction & retention

One of the City Council’s strategic focus areas is bringing quality jobs to the city in today’s globally competitive economy. Carlsbad's Life In Action initiative is a resource for employers looking to land that perfect candidate. It provides additional tools, such as a hiring toolkit with media assets, brochures and infographics, to make the case for why the job in Carlsbad is the right one. 

Your Business Feedback

We encourage ongoing feedback from the business community. Please visit our resourcing and feedback survey to share your thoughts or reach out directly with any questions or additional comments. 

For any questions related to the survey, please contact our economic development team at business@carlsbadca.gov. 

Thank you for your participation and continued engagement in making Carlsbad a great place to do business! 

Economic Development Strategic Plan

Carlsbad Economic Development Strategic Plan

Economic Snapshots

Carlsbad Economic Snapshot FY 2022-2023 Q3

Connect with us

Carlsbad has a range of options for businesses to establish, grow and thrive. If you are ready to learn more about doing business along the creative coast or have general questions about doing business in our city, contact the Innovation & Economic Development Department at business@carlsbadca.gov. 

News headlines

Community budget workshop

Post Date:05/07/2026 5:30 PM

Carlsbad community members who want to learn about the city’s proposed budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1 can come to a special community budget workshop on Thursday, May 21. This is an opportunity for Carlsbad residents to hear directly from city staff, who will provide a presentation on the proposed spending plan and projected revenues and be available to answer Carlsbad resident questions and hear feedback.  

 
Unlike a City Council meeting, the Council Members will not be present, and the workshop will have an informal format, including a question-and-answer session. All the questions and comments received will be provided to the City Council to consider before approving the final budget, currently scheduled for the June 16 City Council meeting.  

 
Community budget workshop  
Thursday, May 21  
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.  
City of Carlsbad Faraday Center  
1635 Faraday Ave.  

 
To request reasonable accommodations to participate in the workshop, please call 442-339-8010 (voice), 711 (free relay service for TTY users) at least two days prior to the workshop to make arrangements.  

 
Residents can see the draft budget in advance of the workshop by either: 

  • Watching the May 19 City Council meeting where the draft budget will be presented 

 

A hard copy of the preliminary budget will be available by May 15 in the Office of the City Clerk, 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive, and at the Faraday Administration Building, 1635 Faraday Ave.  
 

Learn more about the budget process.  

 

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