News from the City of Carlsbad | Oct. 31, 2024 | |
This week the City Council updated some city building codes. Today, I’ll go over what building codes are, why they need updating and how they help keep you and your families safe. More on that plus these stories in today’s issue:
- How building codes help keep Carlsbad safe
- City voting locations and other election information
- Seeing your city from the inside out
- Carrillo Ranch archives offer window into Carlsbad history
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Celebrate Día de los Muertos at the ranch
- Popular shredding event returns
- Remember to set your clocks back this weekend
- Street closures, bike valet, shuttle info for Carlsbad Village Faire
- City meetings next week
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How building codes help keep Carlsbad safe, clean and beautiful
On Tuesday, the City Council approved updates to the city’s building codes, something they do as needed to make sure we are in sync with changes in state law. It may sound routine, but making sure construction in our city complies with the latest standards is an important way the city keeps the community safe and clean, while preserving community character.
Because getting building permits can feel like a hurdle when planning a project at your home, I thought I’d give some backstory on where building codes come from, how they’re updated, why they’re so important, and how the city has made the permitting process easier and faster for residents to navigate.
The story of building codes starts with safety.
- In fact, major disasters are often the catalyst for updating building codes.
- For example, after major wildfires in 2003 and 2007, the state changed the building code to require fire-resistant roofing, ember-resistant vents and non-combustible siding in high-risk areas.
While natural disasters have been on our minds lately following the hurricanes in the southeast, that’s not the only reason building codes are updated.
- They are also updated when construction materials or methods change.
- For example, prior to PVC pipe becoming the norm, only metal pipes were allowed.
California’s Building Standards Commission does a comprehensive update of state building codes every three years. This 11-member group represents the public, building design professionals, the building and construction industry, local government building officials, fire officials and labor organizations. The next comprehensive update of the state’s building code is expected next year.
- Local governments like Carlsbad must adopt and enforce these as minimum standards.
- Cities can create stricter standards than the state’s.
- For example, in Carlsbad, our code requires mechanical equipment like pool pumps and AC units to be screened in or disguised, so they blend in with surround building aesthetics.
- We also require more robust roof drainage systems to handle large amounts of rain over short periods of time.
- When the city requires more than the minimum requirements for buildings, people sometimes refer to these as “reach codes.”
To ensure that development projects comply with building codes, certain types of projects require building permits and inspections before construction can begin or progress to the next stage.
- Generally speaking, building permits are required when you add new structures or physically change existing structures on your property.
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You can see a list of projects on our website, along with a number to call if you’re not sure what your project needs.
You can now apply for many permits online, and some can be obtained the same day.
- If your project needs an inspection, you can also schedule that online or by phone.
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All the details are on our online Permit Center on the city’s website.
Owning property is a huge investment. Following building codes helps you protect that investment and keep our community safe.
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City voting locations and other election information
The City of Carlsbad is once again hosting ballot drop off locations and voting centers for the general election (a voting center is similar to what used to be called polling places, except you can go to any location).
Hours for all voting centers
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Nov. 4
7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 5 (Election Day)
The Registrar of Voters will have a total of eight voting centers in Carlsbad, including four at city community centers. The one at Calavera Hills Community Center opened last Saturday, and the rest will open this Saturday, Nov. 2:
Calavera Hills Community Center
2997 Glasgow Drive
Open 10/26 to 11/5
Pine Avenue Community Center
3209 Harding St.
Open 11/2 to 11/5
Alga Norte Community Park
6565 Alicante Road
Open 11/2 to 11/5
Stagecoach Community Center
3420 Camino de los Coches
Open 11/2 to 11/5
See the full list of voting centers in Carlsbad.
Ballot drop-off
Carlsbad city libraries are among the dozens of ballot drop off locations set up by the Registrar of Voters throughout the region. See the registrar’s website for a complete list and hours.
What’s on the ballot?
In Carlsbad, City Council members serve staggered four-year terms. This year, City Council districts 2 and 4 are up for election (find your City Council district). The City Treasurer resigned before his term was up, so that position is also on the ballot. Finally, we have one ballot measure before voters.
Our election information webpage has all the details.
If you lost your voter information booklet, you can find it online by entering your address on the Registrar of Voters website.
Finally, we will put a link to the Registrar of Voters election results on our city homepage next week. The first report is usually available shortly after the polls close at 8 p.m., followed by periodic updates. Election results must be certified by Dec. 5.
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Seeing your city from the inside out
Seven weeks ago, I started a new series bringing you behind the scenes of our popular Citizens Academy program. Since the first night brought participants inside City Hall, where policies, laws and other governance takes place, we thought we’d end by looking at the inner workings of the city organization.
It takes people and other resources to carry out the policies of the City Council and day to day city services. So, just like any other organization, the city requires basic functions like HR, IT and finance to keep things running smoothly.
I often cover finance and the city budget in these weekly updates, so today I thought I’d explain how the city handles technology.
Just like in our personal lives, the role of technology has grown and evolved. Today, it touches nearly every aspect of city operations.
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In fact, technology is so critical to city operations, the City Council approved a digital investment program, similar to our Capital Improvement Program for physical infrastructure. This plan outlines how we will continue to build and streamline our digital systems to operate more efficiently and provide a better experience to community members who use city services.
To get a feel for just how many city services are now available online, visit the online services page on the city’s website. And, of course, please download and use our city app. You can easily report things you see that need fixing and make other service requests right from your phone, then track progress.
I hope these past seven weeks have given you some new insights into how your local government works. If your interest is piqued, I encourage to you sign up for next fall’s Citizens Academy or our new Citizens Police Academy next spring.
Celebrating our graduates
This year’s graduates ranged in age from late teens to early 80s. Two high school seniors completed the program, and we partnered with Carlsbad government teachers to welcome students to individual sessions so they could connect what they’re learning in their classrooms to real life (with some class credit on the side).
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I’d like to thank each of our graduates for investing their time and energy to engage with us and learn more about how the city operates. Our 2024 graduates join more than 1,800 Citizens Academy alumni from the past 23 years. | |
Carrillo Ranch Archive offers window into Carlsbad history
While on the topic of technology, I want to let you know about a new digital resource that will give you a glimpse into Carlsbad’s history. We recently launched an online archive that helps tell the story of Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park.
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The archive is an easy way to see objects, photographs and papers relating to the life and times of Hollywood actor and conservationist Leo Carrillo and his historic Rancho de Los Kiotes (now called Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park).
- Carrillo starred in plays and acted in over 90 films but may be most famous for his role as “Pancho” on the Cisco Kid television series that was popular in the 1950s.
- Carrillo bought the land for the ranch in 1937 and started building a home inspired by the historic ranchos of early California.
- Carrillo used the ranch as a vacation retreat, inviting dignitaries, industry leaders and movie stars to visit him there.
- The result was a rambling adobe hacienda, with rustic buildings, footpaths and beautiful grounds.
The archive is a window into that era. You can browse categories like people, photos and objects or click on “discover” to generate a page of random images and artifacts.
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Here you can see a few gems close up:
More about Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park
- The City of Carlsbad acquired the ranch and some of the land around it in the 1970s.
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Today, the buildings and 27 acres surrounding the ranch are a city park open to the public for touring and used for city classes, programs and camps.
- The ranch is listed as a California Historic Landmark and is on the National Registry of Historic Places.
Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park
6200 Flying Leo Carrillo Lane
Open daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Free ranch tours, Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Free botanical tours, second Friday of the month, 9:30 a.m.
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Enjoy Día de los Muertos at Leo Carrillo Ranch
If you’d like to visit Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park this weekend, consider stopping by the historic adobe hacienda, which will be dressed up with colorful decorations and a customary ofrenda table dedicated to the Carrillo family for Día de los Muertos. On Saturday, we will also have a craft activity for kids on the side patio during the hacienda tours.
Día de los Muertos at Leo Carrillo Ranch
Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 2 and 3
Park hours 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Hacienda tours 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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Popular shredding event returns
Carlsbad residents can securely dispose of personal and financial documents at our next shredding event:
Shred & Recycle It!
Saturday, Nov. 16
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Carlsbad location provided upon registration
Sign up online
These events are always popular, so be sure to sign up now to reserve your spot.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Proof of Carlsbad residency is required (like your driver’s license or a trash or utility bill).
- You can bring a maximum of five standard-sized boxes (10” x 12” x 15”) of paper for shredding.
- Residents can drive through and drop off materials for shredding, or park and observe the process. All shredding occurs on-site.
- The event location will be provided in a registration confirmation email.
The cost of this service is already covered through your trash bill. Plus, ensuring shredded documents are securely recycled supports the city’s environmental sustainability goal outlined in the City Council’s 5-Year Strategic Plan.
The city holds two of these shredding events each year. If you can’t make it to this one, don’t worry — there will be another opportunity in the spring.
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Fall back this weekend
Daylight saving time ends Sunday, so remember to set your clocks back an hour before you go to bed Saturday night.
- Fire officials always recommend checking your smoke detectors while changing all your clocks. If you need a smoke detector or help installing one, the Carlsbad Fire Department can help.
- Carlsbad residents can sign up with our Fire Department to receive a free smoke alarm, including installation, through a partnership with the Red Cross.
- Residents 62 and older can also sign up to receive a free carbon monoxide alarm and installation through our partnership with the Burn Institute.
Call the Fire Department at 442-339-2665 or email firepreventionpublic@carlsbadca.gov to learn more and sign up.
Visit our website for other time change related safety tips.
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Check our weekly construction map
Check our weekly construction map to see where work is planned next week. Remember, the map only shows city projects and doesn’t include construction projects by local utilities, private companies or other agencies.
Street closures, bike valet for Carlsbad Village Faire
Several streets in the Village will be closed Sunday for the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce’s Carlsbad Village Faire, so please plan ahead.
For those planning to ride their bikes to the street faire, the City of Carlsbad is partnering with the San Diego County Bike Coalition to provide a free bike valet service.
Street faire bike valet
Sunday, Nov. 3
8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
2965 Roosevelt St. (between Carlsbad Village Drive and Grand Avenue)
While you’re there, stop by the Carlsbad Police Department booth (in the same parking lot as the bike valet) if you have questions about e-bikes, e-motorcycles or anything else related to our Safer Streets Together campaign.
Parking and shuttle
The chamber is providing free park and ride shuttles. Pickup locations are at the northwest corner (site for the former Sears) at the Shoppes at Carlsbad (Highway 78 and Jefferson) as well as at the Poinsettia Coaster Station (Poinsettia exit off of I-5).
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City meetings next week
The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Nov. 12. Next week we have meetings scheduled for the Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission, Planning Commission and Senior Commission. You can see all the details in the meeting schedule on our city calendar.
Quick reminder: At next week’s Planning Commission meeting, city staff will seek feedback from the public and the Planning Commission about the city’s ban on new drive-thru restaurants. Information about this issue and how to provide input is on our website.
That’s all for this week. If you’re driving this evening, please be on the lookout for people walking and crossing the street. Thanks to you, our streets are safer because we are all working together. Thank you!
Scott Chadwick
City Manager
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