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News from the City of Carlsbad | April 16, 2026

We’re in store for a beautiful weekend, so I wanted to start with an update on the improvements the city is making to the beach stairs and sidewalk along picturesque Carlsbad Boulevard. This video brings you up to speed on the project along the walkway, and I’ll have more details in today's update.

Here’s the full lineup:

• Beach stairs replacement and sidewalk widening project update
• New illegal fireworks ordinance adopted
• Reducing speeding on neighborhood streets
• Climate Action Plan progress report
• More ways to get involved this Earth Month
• Carlsbad celebrates Arbor Day with volunteer tree planting
• Community events and activities
• Upcoming city meetings

Beach stairs replacement and sidewalk widening project update

Work to improve beach access continues to move forward along Carlsbad Boulevard between Pine and Tamarack avenues. This week, we’re sharing a new video highlighting recent construction activity and giving you a closer look at the progress.

You’ll see that crews are replacing the upper beach stairs and installing new concrete components that will support the upgraded stairways and widened sidewalk. After decades of exposure to sea air, these improvements are long overdue. In some areas, concrete had chipped away, exposing rebar, with visible corrosion and soil erosion around portions of the foundation. These upgrades will address those issues while enhancing safety, improving accessibility and creating a better overall coastal experience for residents and visitors.

Schedule update

All work on the project will be paused from Memorial Day to Labor Day so residents and visitors can enjoy the beach. The new sidewalks will be open and the traffic lanes, bike lanes and speed limit will return to normal during this pause.

During construction, crews discovered that additional work needs to be completed to reinforce platform supports for the new stairway at Cherry Avenue, meaning the opening of that stairway will be delayed until after summer. We know construction delays can be frustrating and appreciate your patience. However, at least two of the beach stairways will be open at a time until the entire project is complete, which is expected in spring 2027.



I appreciate everyone’s patience during construction. We'll share more updates on what to expect during summer in the next few weeks. 

New illegal fireworks ordinance adopted

The City of Carlsbad is strengthening enforcement against the use of illegal fireworks, under an ordinance the City Council adopted at its meeting Tuesday.  

Although fireworks are already illegal in San Diego County, they continue to impact neighborhoods across Carlsbad. Over the past two years, the city has received approximately 130 fireworks-related calls for service, many tied to residential areas and largely during peak holiday periods, such as Memorial Day and Fourth of July. These incidents increase the risk of fires and injuries and place added demand on police and fire resources. 

Under the new ordinance, the Carlsbad Police, Fire and Code Enforcement departments will have the ability to work together to respond to complaints. Key elements include: 

• Holding property owners and renters responsible for illegal fireworks used on or near their property, even if the fireworks are set off by guests or others at a gathering. 
• Anyone in control of the property or organizing a gathering where illegal fireworks are used could be cited and fined.  
• Establishing fines of $1,000 per violation, up to $10,000 per day for those cited. 

These changes are intended to improve public safety, reduce repeat violations and provide clearer, more effective enforcement tools.  

Now that the ordinance has been adopted, it will officially take effect on May 14, 2026, 30 days after adoption. Before enforcement begins, the city will conduct community outreach and education to increase awareness of the new rules.  

Learn more about the ordinance in the staff report. 

Reducing speeding on neighborhood streets



Seeing cars speed through your neighborhood can be frustrating. The city has a program to help, and the City Council just approved an update to simplify and streamline the process.

The updated Traffic Management Program keeps what has worked in the past, while making the process clearer.

If you’re concerned about speeding on your street, getting started is simple. Just email traffic@carlsbadca.gov or submit a request through the CarlsbadConnects app with more details. After a request is received, we analyze existing conditions on the street, including site visits and driving along the street.

From there, we work closely with residents to explore options.

• Initial options typically include increased enforcement or tools like signage and speed feedback signs.
• If speeding continues, the city can consider changes to the street to help reduce speeding.

Community support is a critical component of the program. Because changes to one street can affect the whole neighborhood, we’ll gather input on the plan from nearby residents to ensure it has support before moving forward.

If you’re interested in getting more details, you can review the updated program and the staff report from the recent City Council meeting.

Climate Action Plan progress report

The City of Carlsbad continues to make progress on its Climate Action Plan, a long-term roadmap for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting a more sustainable future.

The City Council approved an updated version of the plan in November 2024 and at Tuesday’s meeting, staff shared the first annual progress report since the changes.



• The report highlights gains made in 2025 — the first full year of implementation under the updated plan.
• The updated plan built on years of work and set new targets for the community.
• So far, seven of the plan’s 100 actions are complete, 13 are underway and on schedule, and many others are ongoing as part of day-to-day city operations.

Overall, the city is still working toward our long-term goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 50% below 2016 levels by 2035 and 85% below 2016 levels by 2045.

2025 highlights

Some of the progress that stands out over the past year includes:

• Switched all city facilities and operations to 100% renewable electricity through the Clean Energy Alliance
• Launched a public Climate Action Plan dashboard so the community can track progress over time
• Completed an updated citywide tree canopy assessment to understand tree coverage, identify trends and track progress on sustainability goals
• Added 3,000 trees to the city’s inventory since late September 2019 under the Community Forest Management Plan, meeting a key goal over approximately six years
• Advanced planning for electric vehicle and bike charging infrastructure across the city
• Secured grant funding with regional partners to update Carlsbad’s greenhouse gas inventory
• Continued updating the city’s fleet strategy to support more zero-emission vehicles

Tracking progress over time

One of the most important tools for measuring progress is the city’s greenhouse gas inventory, which tracks where emissions come from across the community. Transportation remains the largest source, followed by electricity and natural gas use.

The city is partnering with other local agencies to update its greenhouse gas inventory. This update will help show whether local efforts, like cleaner energy and transportation improvements, are making a difference. The updated inventory is expected later this year.

Making information easier to access

In addition to the annual report, the city continues to update its online Climate Action Plan dashboard. The dashboard presents key data in a clear, easy-to-understand format and will be refreshed each year alongside the annual report. You can explore the latest data and track progress on the city’s website.

To stay up to date on environmental programs and ways to get involved, sign up to receive the Sustainable Carlsbad e-newsletter.

More ways to get involved this Earth Month



Speaking of sustainability, if you’re looking for ways to take part in Earth Month and find new ways to help protect our environment, we have several hands-on events in the next two weeks that make it easy to get involved.

Earth Month Celebration

Saturday, April 18

9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Poinsettia Community Park

6600 Hidden Valley Road

This family-friendly event brings together city staff, local organizations and community partners to share practical ideas you can use at home and in your daily routine to help reduce waste and repurpose everyday items.

Fixit Clinic: Get ready for summer travel

Saturday, April 25

10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Georgina Cole Library

1250 Carlsbad Village Drive

Register online (walk-ins accepted on a first-come, first-served basis as available)

At this hands-on Fixit Clinic, you can bring in broken or worn items like bikes, small appliances, clothing or even luggage and work side by side with volunteer coaches to repair them. The city will provide tools, workspace and guidance to help you take things apart, troubleshoot issues and give your items a second life.

This clinic features a travel theme, with activities that help you get ready for your next trip:

• Bring broken luggage for repair
• Make upcycled luggage tags from fabric scraps

Electronic Waste Recycling Event

Saturday, April 25

10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Georgina Cole Library

1250 Carlsbad Village Drive

This e-waste collection will take place alongside the Fixit Clinic, making it easy to bring items that can’t be repaired and recycle them responsibly. Republic Services will collect broken or outdated electronics for proper recycling, ensuring that materials are reused rather than ending up in landfills.

Creek to Bay Cleanup

Saturday, April 25

9 a.m. to noon

Register for a cleanup site in Carlsbad

Lend a hand in cleaning up our local beaches and waterways. Join the City of Carlsbad and I Love A Clean San Diego during the annual Creek to Bay Cleanup. This regionwide event brings together thousands of volunteers to remove litter and debris across San Diego County.

Volunteer spots are still available at Carlsbad Village and Quarry Creek West, or you can register for another hosted location or stay close to home and collect waste in your neighborhood.

Carlsbad celebrates Arbor Day with volunteer tree planting

The City of Carlsbad will celebrate Arbor Day with a hands-on opportunity to help plant 25 trees at Poinsettia Community Park.

The city will partner with local volunteers and professional crews who support tree and landscaping efforts throughout the city to plant trees at Poinsettia Community Park on Saturday, April 25.

Volunteers will help plant a mix of species, including crape myrtle, jacaranda, eastern and western redbud, California sycamore and mesa oak. These trees were selected for their ability to thrive in Carlsbad’s climate and to provide shade and seasonal interest. The variety of trees helps expand the tree canopy and contributes to the health of the city’s urban forest.

For the 22nd consecutive year, the city has been identified as a Tree City USA recipient. This designation from the National Arbor Day Foundation recognizes Carlsbad’s commitment to maintaining and expanding its network of trees in parks, neighborhoods and open spaces.

Join us to plant trees at Poinsettia Community Park

• Check in at the Parks & Recreation table beginning at 8 a.m.
• A tree planting demonstration led by city staff and supporting crews will begin at 8:30 a.m.
• Visit tree industry displays, informational booths and educational resources focused on tree care. Tools and snacks will be provided. Please wear work gloves, a hat, sunscreen and closed-toe shoes.

If you plan to attend, RSVP on the city’s website by April 23. Please email Kalyn Autry, Trees Program Coordinator, at kalyn.autry@carlsbadca.gov for any questions.   

Volunteer tree planting

Saturday, April 25

8:30 to 10:30 a.m. (registration opens at 8 a.m.)

Poinsettia Community Park

6600 Hidden Valley Road

More community events and activities

Here are some more activities and events happening soon at our city libraries, community centers and the Carlsbad Senior Center:

• Cinema Club Friday: "Rams" – Friday, April 17, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., Dove Library
• Repotting Party – Saturday, April 18, 9 to 11:30 a.m., Carlsbad Senior Center
• alchemy + light artist reception – Saturday, April 18, 3 to 5 p.m., William D. Cannon Art Gallery at Dove Library
• Reel Wednesday: "The Princess Bride" – Wednesday, April 22, 4 p.m., Dove Library
• Carlsbad Reads Together: Hua Hsu Author Event – Thursday, April 23, 6 p.m., Dove Library

Upcoming city meetings

There’s no City Council meeting next week, but some of our city boards and commissions are scheduled to meet, including the Parks & Recreation Commission, Library Board of Trustees and Senior Commission.

Board and commission meetings are livestreamed on the city’s website and available to watch afterward. See the full meeting schedule on our city calendar.

Have a fantastic weekend!

Geoff Patnoe

City Manager