Facility and gym rental fee updates
The City of Carlsbad will begin implementing updated facility rental fees starting May 4, 2026. These changes apply to indoor and outdoor facility rentals and will be phased in over three years. Several of the most common rentals will see little to no change, especially for small rental areas.
What types of rentals are affected
This update applies to reservable city facilities used for meetings, gatherings and events, including:
- Indoor spaces such as meeting rooms and event halls
- Outdoor spaces such as picnic areas, gazebos and passive lawns
- Gymnasiums for private or organized use
Athletic field rentals, classes and programs are not included in this change.
Why fees are changing
Facility rental fees have not been adjusted in many years and are currently lower than those in nearby benchmark cities. Updating the fees will:
- Better reflect the cost of providing and maintaining facilities
- Bring rates closer to those of nearby benchmark cities
- Support long-term financial sustainability for parks and recreation services
- Provide gradual and limited increases in most cases
How Carlsbad compares
Carlsbad’s current rental rates are generally lower than those of nearby benchmark cities such as Encinitas, Escondido, Oceanside, San Marcos and Vista.
- Indoor spaces, especially for medium and large areas, are below average
- Outdoor rental spaces are also below average across all sizes
The updated fees are designed to move closer to these regional averages of benchmark cities over time, while remaining competitive.
What to expect
- New rates take effect starting May 4, 2026
- Adjustments will occur gradually over three years
- The update applies to indoor (including gyms) and outdoor facility rentals only
- Small rental areas will not see a rate increase (indoor or outdoor)
- For other rentals, many adjustments are considered modest, often in the $2–$3 range
Facility and gym rental fee schedule (phased increases)
The table below shows current rates and phased increases over three years. Small area rentals remain unchanged, while some adjustments are as small as $2 to $3 per hour and larger increases primarily apply to large rental spaces and gyms.
Indoor facilities
|
Facility SIZE
|
Current
|
May 4, 2026
|
July 1, 2027
|
July 1, 2028
|
|
Small
|
$30
|
$30
|
$30
|
$30
|
|
Medium
|
$48
|
$50
|
$50
|
$50
|
|
Large
|
$66
|
$76
|
$87
|
$98
|
Outdoor facilities
|
Facility SIZE
|
Current
|
May 4, 2026
|
July 1, 2027
|
July 1, 2028
|
|
Small
|
$23
|
$23
|
$23
|
$23
|
|
Medium
|
$57
|
$60
|
$63
|
$66
|
|
Large
|
|
$73
|
$76
|
$79
|
Stagecoach Community Center and Calavera Community Center gyms
|
USER TYPE
|
Current
|
May 4, 2026
|
July 1, 2027
|
July 1, 2028
|
|
Non-profit (full)
|
$54
|
$63
|
$72
|
$84
|
|
Non-profit (half)
|
$27
|
$31
|
$36
|
$42
|
|
Individual (full)
|
$72
|
$84
|
$98
|
$115
|
|
Individual (half)
|
$36
|
$42
|
$49
|
$58
|
|
Commercial (full)
|
$108
|
$127
|
$148
|
$174
|
|
Commercial (half)
|
$54
|
$63
|
$74
|
$87
|
Pine Avenue Community Center gym
|
USER type
|
Current
|
May 4, 2026
|
July 1, 2027
|
July 1, 2028
|
|
Non-profit
|
$54
|
$63
|
$72
|
$84
|
|
Individual
|
$76
|
$87
|
$100
|
$115
|
|
Commercial
|
$100
|
$120
|
$145
|
$174
|
Where to find the updated fees
The phased facility and gym rental fees shown above will be updated and reflected on the Parks & Recreation Fee Schedule on May 4, 2026.
