The commission consists of five members appointed by the City Council and one ex-officio representative of the Planning Commission. All members are appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the City Council. Members normally serve four-year terms and must be residents of Carlsbad.

Take a tour of historic sites in Carlsbad. Learn more about the city's historic preservation program.

Duties

The commission advises the City Council and Planning Commission in all matters relating to the identification, protection, retention and preservation of historic areas and sites within the city. Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Recommending the designation of historic landmarks or historic districts
• Maintaining an historic resources inventory
• Rendering advice and guidance, upon the request of the property owner or occupant, on the restoration, alteration, decoration, landscaping or maintenance of any historical area or site
• Conducting programs to educate local residents regarding historic places, structures or events

Fiscal Year 2024-25 Work Plan

Meetings

Agendas and supporting materials for the next meeting and meetings over the last three months are linked below. Materials for meetings taking place before that are available on our online public records portal. 

How to participate

Historic Preservation Commission meetings are streamed live on the city website and can also be watched at a later date (view archive here).

Comment in person

If you would like to provide comments to the Historic Preservation Commission, please:

• Fill out a speaker request form, located in the foyer.
• Submit the form to the Clerk before the item begins.
• When it’s your turn, the Clerk will call your name and invite you to the podium.
• Speakers have three minutes, unless the presiding officer changes that time.
• You may not give your time to another person, but groups can select a single speaker as long as three other members of your group are present. Group representatives have 10 minutes unless that time is changed by the presiding officer.

Comment in writing

• If you wish to provide written comments as part of the record, e-mail your comments to planning@carlsbadca.gov.  
• Please indicate the agenda item number in your e-mail subject line. Emails received by 4 p.m. will be provided to the Historic Preservation Commission prior to the start of the meeting.
• Other comments will be included with the meeting record. Emailed comments will not be read out loud during the meeting.

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