Carlsbad, CA
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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.
The Carlsbad Job-Readiness Room is a free program that helps residents build job skills and bolster their chances of landing a new job in Carlsbad. The platform is powered by Bendable, a learning marketplace that allows people to discover new knowledge and skills through online courses, in-person events and other learning resources.
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
Long term investing
The city is investing surplus funds from last fiscal year in ways to protect its long-term financial health
09/24/2025
Sustainability Champion Award
The Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation has been recognized as Carlsbad’s newest Sustainability Champion for its hands-on approach to environmental education and conservation.
07/24/2025 10:00 AM
Small business "office hours"
The City of Carlsbad is launching a new pilot program to support local small businesses by offering in-person “office hours” at the Dove and Cole libraries through our Small Business Liaison Program.
07/01/2025
Balanced budget adopted boosts reserves
The Carlsbad City Council approved next fiscal year’s budget Tuesday.
06/17/2025 8:37 PM
Carlsbad projects balanced budget, boosts reserves
The City of Carlsbad’s proposed budget for next fiscal year invests in the community’s highest priorities, sets aside money for future infrastructure needs and grows the city’s cash reserves – all while projecting a balanced budget through fiscal year 2031.
05/16/2025 8:59 AM
Community budget workshop
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 22. City staff will be on hand to answer questions and take community feedback.
05/07/2025 11:33 AM
Carlsbad green businesses
On April 29, the Carlsbad City Council recognized 15 local businesses that have taken steps to implement environmentally friendly practices through the Carlsbad Green Business Program.
05/01/2025 11:00 AM
Utilities rate increases
On Tuesday, rate increases were approved for water, sewer and recycled water based on recent studies to determine the actual cost of providing these services. Keep reading for additional information on what’s changing, why increases are needed and what we’re doing to reduce operating costs.
04/22/2025 12:25 PM
Strategic Plan progress
The City of Carlsbad is now halfway through carrying out its first 5-Year Strategic Plan.
02/27/2025 9:00 AM
Concert sponsorships available
The City of Carlsbad is once again offering local businesses an opportunity to be a part of our most popular community event, the TGIF Concerts in the Parks summer series.
02/18/2025 10:08 AM
New small business liaison
For the first time the city has created a position dedicated to providing small businesses the guidance to help them succeed
02/11/2025
Additional Village parking
City staff recently added 15 on-street parking spots around the Village.
01/30/2025
New City Manager announced
The Carlsbad City Council has named Geoff Patnoe, the city’s current Assistant City Manager and an over 20-year veteran of local government, to be Carlsbad’s next City Manager, starting Dec. 19.
12/04/2024 6:52 AM
City wins budget award
The City of Carlsbad’s annual budget has been recognized by the top authority in government accounting for the 18th year in a row.
11/26/2024
Small Business Saturday, 11/30
The Village and other popular shopping areas are featuring special incentives and other promotions to celebrate Small Business Saturday Nov. 30.
11/26/2024
Annual financial report honored
City recognized for excellence in financial reporting
11/15/2024
Investing in financial health
The city budget gets a lot of attention when it’s adopted in the spring, but the City Council makes important financial decisions all year long, including this week when they approved something called “carry forwards.”
10/10/2024 9:49 AM
Balanced budget adopted
The Carlsbad City Council approved a balanced budget Tuesday and will begin the new fiscal year July 1 with healthy revenues, increased cash reserves and among the lowest pension debts in the region. The fiscal year 2024-25 city budget also sets aside money for future infrastructure investments.
06/19/2024 9:12 AM
Carlsbad awarded for data excellence
For city leaders, making progress on their City Hall’s data capabilities is not a one-and-done exercise. Rather, it’s about continuous improvement — taking steps that build on one another and adapt to new technology or changed circumstances.
06/17/2024
Carlsbad projects balanced budget
Thanks to healthy revenues, reduced spending, and new budget policies and practices over the past several years, the City of Carlsbad is projecting a balanced budget through fiscal year 2030, increased cash reserves and among the lowest pension debts in the region. The city released its preliminary
05/16/2024