City of Carmel-by-the-Sea

Municipal Government Servicesci.carmel.ca.us

The City of Carmel-by-the-Sea is a California General Law City operating since 1916 that delivers police, fire, planning, library, public works, and community services to residents, businesses, and visitors of the incorporated coastal village, funded primarily by property tax, sales tax, and Transient Occupancy Tax.

Company typePublic
Founded1916
HeadquartersCarmel-by-the-Sea, United States
Headcount51–100
GTM typeB2C
OfferingServices

What City of Carmel-by-the-Sea does

The City of Carmel-by-the-Sea is a General Law City in Monterey County, California, incorporated in 1916 and operating under a Council-City Administrator form of government with a publicly elected five-member City Council. It delivers municipal services to residents, property owners, businesses, and visitors of the incorporated village, with a staff of approximately 62 employees organized across Police, Community Planning and Building, Public Works, Harrison Memorial Library, Community Activities, Finance, and City Clerk functions; fire protection is provided through a partnership with the Monterey Fire Department.

The city's core operational backbone consists of a portfolio of integrated digital civic platforms: a CivicClerk portal for Council/board/commission meetings and live streaming; an iWorq permit portal for building, planning, encroachment, and forestry applications; a NextRequest portal for California Public Records Act requests; an ArcGIS-based GIS mapping tool for parcel and permit history; a Cogix-based online business license renewal portal; an Alert Monterey County / Nixle emergency notification system; and a Flock Safety ALPR transparency portal. Supporting physical infrastructure includes City Hall on Monte Verde Street, two library branches, a Police Department on Junipero Street, and nine park/open space areas and beach stairway access points managed by the Forest & Beach Division, which oversees more than 13,000 trees on public property.

The city funds operations through a diversified revenue stack including property tax, sales tax, Transient Occupancy Tax from hotels and short-term rentals, business license fees (e.g., $22 plus $1/$1,000 of gross revenue at renewal), building and planning permit fees, parking fines and residential permits, and improvement district assessments (CRID, hotel improvement districts). The fiscal year runs July 1 to June 30, and the November 2026 ballot includes proposed increases to TOT and sales tax. Community engagement is multi-channel — in-person City Hall, the Friday Letter newsletter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, annual signature events (Homecrafters' Marketplace at 55 editions, Great Sandcastle Contest at 63 editions), and the Carmel Prepares disaster preparedness program with 35 CERT volunteers.

City of Carmel-by-the-Sea firmographics

Firmographics

Name: City of Carmel-by-the-Sea
Legal name: City of Carmel-by-the-Sea
Website: https://ci.carmel.ca.us
Company type: Public
Founded year: 1916
Operating status: Operating
Headcount range: 51–100 employees
Short description: The City of Carmel-by-the-Sea is a California General Law City operating since 1916 that delivers police, fire, planning, library, public works, and community services to residents, businesses, and visitors of the incorporated coastal village, funded primarily by property tax, sales tax, and Transient Occupancy Tax.
Ownership category
akta.pro rank

City of Carmel-by-the-Sea industry classification

Industry

Product category: Municipal Government Services
NAICS: Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241), Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical) Services (541370), Landscaping Services (56173)
SIC: Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744), Services-Social Services (8300)
akta.pro primary industry: Public Works & Municipal Infrastructure (Streets, Stormwater, Facilities) (BPAIACAF)
akta.pro secondary industries: Housing & Neighborhood Services (Local Housing Programs) (BPAIACAJ), Towing, Impound & Vehicle Relocation Services (BPABAKAJ), Stormwater Management & MS4 Compliance Services (BPALAMAL)

Keywords

Municipal government services
Public safety
Community planning
Library services
Emergency preparedness

Where City of Carmel-by-the-Sea is headquartered

Location

Headquarters

HQ city: Carmel-by-the-Sea
HQ country: United States
HQ region: North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

City of Carmel-by-the-Sea business model

Business model

GTM type: B2C
Offering type: Services
Cost components: Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT): The city collects Transient Occupancy Tax from hotels and short-term rentals within city limits. TOT revenue is tracked through quarterly and bi-monthly reporting. The city has a ballot measure (November 3, 2026) to consider a TOT increase.
Business License Fees: Business license fees include: New Fixed Location license ($352), New Home Occupation license ($150), In-and-About license ($28), Renewal fee ($22) plus $1.00 per $1,000 of gross revenues. Categories include Fixed Location, Home Occupation, In-and-About, and Delivery business licenses.
Sales Tax Revenue: The city receives sales tax revenue, tracked through quarterly sales tax updates. The city has a ballot measure (November 3, 2026) to consider a sales tax increase.
Building and Planning Permit Fees: Fees collected for building permits, planning applications, use permits, design review, and other construction-related services through the Community Planning and Building department. Fee schedules are updated annually.
Parking Fees and Fines: Revenue from parking violations (Parking Violations & Bail Schedule) and residential parking permits. Free parking available at Vista Lobos lot, Sunset Center north lot, and most residential streets outside CBD.
Carmel Restaurant Improvement District (CRID) and Hotel Improvement Districts: Assessment districts supporting local business improvement initiatives for restaurants and hotels, managed through the city's fees and taxes portal.
Property Tax and Other General Fund Revenue: As a General Law City, the city derives power from California Constitution and state laws, receiving property tax revenue and other general fund sources as part of its fiscal operations. The fiscal year runs July 1 through June 30.

Pricing tiers

Model	Billing	Price
One time/ perpetual license	Annual	Fixed Location Business License (new)
One time/ perpetual license	Annual	Home Occupation Business License (new)
One time/ perpetual license	Annual	In-and-About Business License (new)
Transaction based/ take rate	Annual	Business License Renewal
Other	Annual	Residential Parking Permit
Other	Annual	Ambulance Fee Schedule
Other	Annual	FY 26-27 Fee Schedule

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels9 records

City of Carmel-by-the-Sea product offering

Product offering

Core offering

The City of Carmel-by-the-Sea delivers core municipal services to residents, property owners, businesses, and visitors, including public safety (police and fire/EMS), community planning and building permits, code compliance, public works (streets, sidewalks, storm drains, urban forest, beach maintenance), library services through the Harrison Memorial Library, business licensing, elections administration, and community events programming. Service delivery combines physical city facilities with online portals for permits (iWorq), business licenses (Cogix), public records (NextRequest), meetings (CivicClerk), and GIS property data (ArcGIS).

Product overview

The City of Carmel-by-the-Sea operates a unified municipal government platform offering multiple interconnected digital services through its website. The core offering consists of resident-facing service portals including a Business License Portal for fixed location, home occupation, and in-and-about business licenses; a Permit Management System (iWorQ) for building, planning, and forestry permits; a Public Records Request Portal (NextRequest) for California Public Records Act requests; a Meetings & Agendas Portal (CivicClerk) for Council meetings and archived videos; and a Residential Parking Permits system. Supporting services include Harrison Memorial Library with digital media streaming, a Community Activities & Events calendar, a GIS Mapping Tool for property information, a Draft Street Addresses Map, Carmel Prepares emergency preparedness program, Carmel Beach access management, Police & Fire services, Community Planning & Building with Housing Element programs, Public Works environmental services, Elections management, and Budget & Finance transparency documents. These products operate as separate modules under the unified ci.carmel.ca.us domain, connected through the main navigation while maintaining distinct portals for specific transactions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

Business License Portal Online portal for new business license applications, annual renewals, and fee payments covering fixed location, home occupation, in-and-about, and delivery business categories for operators in Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Permit Management System Online portal for submitting building, planning, encroachment, and forestry permit applications, scheduling inspections, and paying fees, used by contractors, businesses, and residents.
Public Records Request Portal Online NextRequest portal for submitting California Public Records Act requests, tracking their status, and communicating with City staff.
Meetings and Agendas Portal CivicClerk portal providing public access to meeting agendas, agenda packets, live streaming, and archived recordings of City Council, Boards, and Commissions.
Residential Parking Permits Online portal for residents and property owners to purchase annual residential parking permits granting access to timed and 30-minute parking zones, residential permit areas, Del Mar Lot, and Scenic Road after midnight.
Harrison Memorial Library Services Public library services including book borrowing, digital media streaming, local history archives, genealogy research, kids and teen programs, and summer reading at the main library and Park Branch.
Community Activities and Events City-organized events and festivals including the Farmers Market, Carmel Beach activities, Homecrafters' Marketplace, Sandcastle Contest, Pumpkin Roll, and Holiday Celebration, plus event permit applications for parks, streets, and the beach.
GIS Mapping Tool Interactive ArcGIS-based mapping tool for reviewing digitized property files, electronic permit history, and parcel information within the city's jurisdiction.
Carmel Prepares Emergency Preparedness Program Disaster preparedness program delivered in partnership with the City, Harrison Memorial Library, and CERT, offering workshops, training sessions, evacuation drills, and safety resources to residents and businesses.
Carmel Beach Access Public Carmel Beach access with nine access stairways, free parking nearby, restrooms, and posted rules covering propane fires, dog voice control, smoking prohibition, and beach event permits.
Police and Fire Services Police Department for law enforcement and crime prevention, with fire and EMS services delivered by the Monterey Fire Department staffing the Carmel Fire Department, including ambulance services.
Community Planning and Building Planning, building safety, and code compliance services including design guidelines, zoning regulations, use permits, sign permits, the Housing Element and associated ADU/housing programs.
Public Works Services Design, construction, operation, and maintenance of public facilities, rights-of-way, parks, urban forest, and Carmel Beach, including environmental and climate-adaptation programs.
Elections and Voting Municipal election services including candidate filings, ballot measures, campaign finance disclosures, and voter information, managed by the City Clerk and consolidated with Monterey County.
Budget and Finance Transparency Annual budgets, audited financial statements (ACFR), sales tax updates, Transient Occupancy Tax reports, and fee schedules published online for fiscal transparency.

Quantifiable outcome

Over 13,000 trees managed on public property by the Forest and Beach Division.
+3 more outcomes

Companies that use City of Carmel-by-the-Sea

Customer profile

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

City of Carmel-by-the-Sea technology and API

Technology

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API: No
API docs
API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration13 records

Feature6 records

City of Carmel-by-the-Sea partnerships and signals

Strategic signal

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

Monterey Fire DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Monterey Fire Department staffs the Carmel Fire Department to protect the lives and property of residents, businesses, and visitors for the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea by preventing and suppressing fires, responding to emergency medical calls, and educating the public on safety topics. Fire Chief Patrick Moore leads the department. The arrangement provides professional fire protection and ambulance/EMS services to the city.
Harrison Memorial LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Carmel Library is a key partner in the Carmel Prepares disaster preparedness initiative. The library serves as a community resource center, distribution point for emergency preparedness materials, and hosts Carmel Prepares presentations and events. Library Director Heather Cousin oversees operations at the main library and Park Branch.
Monterey County Emergency ManagementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Carmel Prepares initiative and broader emergency preparedness network. The city participates in the Ready Monterey County program and the Monterey County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. Alert Monterey County provides the city's emergency notification system.
California American Water (Cal Am)coreOthersCal Am maintains the water supply lines in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Residents and city staff contact Cal Am (888-237-1333) to report water leaks. Water availability verification from the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District (MPWMD) is required for new business license applications.
GreenWaste RecoveryminorOthersGreenWaste Recovery provides waste collection services and operates food scrap composting bins at the Farmers' Market. They hold the city's franchise agreement for waste management services.
PG&EminorOthersPacific Gas and Electric provides electricity and gas services. The city bookmarks the PG&E Power Outage Map for emergency preparedness. PG&E electrical plans are referenced in public works projects (Vista Lobos electrical upgrades).
Monterey Peninsula Water Management District (MPWMD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMPWMD manages water resources for the Monterey Peninsula. Verification of water availability from MPWMD is required before submitting a new Fixed Location Business License application to ensure adequate water for proposed uses.
Monterey County Elections DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe City of Carmel-by-the-Sea consolidates its elections with Monterey County. The County Election Department certifies election results and maintains voter registration, and the city maintains a link to the County Elections website for voter registration and results.
Wittman Enterprises, LLCminorOthersWittman Enterprises handles ambulance billing for the Carmel Fire Department's emergency medical services under a contract with the city. Contact: (800) 906-6552.
Good Roots, Inc.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGood Roots, Inc. operates the Carmel Farmers' Market, held Thursdays 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. on Sixth Avenue between Junipero and Mission Streets. The market features local certified organic produce, eggs, plants, flowers, and specialty items.
Monterey CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe city operates under the Monterey County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (2022 MJHMP) and Monterey County Evacuation and Transportation Plan. Carmel-by-the-Sea is within Monterey County's sphere of governance for elections, emergency management, assessor/recorder services, and vital records.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

City of Carmel-by-the-Sea competitors and assessment

Company assessment

Direct peers

City of Pacific Grove: Adjacent coastal California city on the Monterey Peninsula with similar small-city municipal operations, comparable tourism dependence, beach access assets, and Historic Resources Board oversight. Comparable scale and resident profile.
City of Monterey: Neighboring Monterey Peninsula city that shares fire services staffing (Monterey Fire Department staffs Carmel's fire operations), emergency management coordination, tourism-driven TOT revenue, and waterfront beach assets. Most operationally comparable peer.
City of Santa Barbara: California coastal tourist destination with similar heritage village character, beach-access municipal function, TOT-heavy revenue model, design review preservation ordinances, and architectural review board oversight. Comparable brand and visitor profile.
City of Sausalito: Small San Francisco Bay coastal community with similar village character, small municipal staff, beach/waterfront access, TOT revenue exposure, and strong heritage preservation focus. Comparable in scale and operating model.
City of Laguna Beach: Southern California coastal tourist village with similar small population, art-focused heritage, beach-access municipal services, TOT-driven budget, design review preservation boards, and protected village character through protective ordinances.
Town of Tiburon: Small affluent coastal Marin County community with similar village atmosphere, design review preservation framework, water/beach access, and tourism/recreation revenue. Directly comparable in scale and operating posture.
City of Half Moon Bay: California coastal town with similar small municipal footprint, beach-access function, agriculture-adjacent economy, tourism dependence, and beach/stairway access maintenance obligations. Comparable operational profile.
City of Sonoma: Small Northern California tourism-driven municipality with similar historic preservation focus, small staff footprint, TOT revenue model, event programming, and heritage character protected through ordinances.
Town of Yountville: Very small Napa Valley tourist destination with similar TOT-dependent revenue model, design preservation focus, small municipal staff, and tourism-event programming (e.g., multi-decade signature events). Comparable scale and revenue concentration.

Broad incumbents

Monterey County: Broader governing authority that consolidates Carmel-by-the-Sea's elections, operates county-wide emergency notification (Alert Monterey County), provides hazard mitigation planning, and certifies election results. Operates a wider portfolio of services while providing back-office functions Carmel's small staff cannot.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

City of Carmel-by-the-Sea financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

City of Carmel-by-the-Sea leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

City of Carmel-by-the-Sea funding detail

Funding detail

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

City of Carmel-by-the-Sea M&A and investment

M&A and investment

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about City of Carmel-by-the-Sea

What does City of Carmel-by-the-Sea do?

Is City of Carmel-by-the-Sea a public or private company?

City of Carmel-by-the-Sea is a public company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.

When was City of Carmel-by-the-Sea founded?

City of Carmel-by-the-Sea was founded in 1916. It employs 51 to 100 people.

Where is City of Carmel-by-the-Sea based?

City of Carmel-by-the-Sea is headquartered in Carmel-by-the-Sea, United States, in the North America region.

How does City of Carmel-by-the-Sea make money?

Seven revenue lines are on record. Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) is the primary driver. The others are business License Fees, sales Tax Revenue, building and Planning Permit Fees, parking Fees and Fines, carmel Restaurant Improvement District (CRID) and Hotel Improvement Districts and property Tax and Other General Fund Revenue.

Who are City of Carmel-by-the-Sea's main competitors?

Direct peers on record are City of Pacific Grove, City of Monterey, City of Santa Barbara, City of Sausalito, City of Laguna Beach, Town of Tiburon, City of Half Moon Bay, City of Sonoma and Town of Yountville. Monterey County is listed as a broad incumbent.

Does City of Carmel-by-the-Sea have an API?

No public API is recorded for City of Carmel-by-the-Sea.

What industry is City of Carmel-by-the-Sea in?

City of Carmel-by-the-Sea's product category is Municipal Government Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIACAF, Public Works & Municipal Infrastructure (Streets, Stormwater, Facilities), with a secondary code of BPAIACAJ, Housing & Neighborhood Services (Local Housing Programs). Its NAICS code is 9241 and its SIC code is 8744.