Welcome to the Carmel Residents Association Website

Since 1987, the Carmel Residents Association has been the premier community civic non-profit organization for full and part-time residents and owners or renters in Carmel-by-the-Sea. AND, we welcome everyone to join who cares for, frequents and wants to stay connected to our "Village in the Forest by the Sea". You can join, renew and make donations to the CRA all online Here. And Here are the benefits of your CRA membership.  

1. Emergency Preparedness -  HERE you will find details on preparing for Wildfires, Storms and more are driving increased effort of our City teams and the multiple public meetings. For El Nino advanced preparations and response readiness, on Sept 30th our City proclaimed a Local Emergency.  Oct 12th and Oct 17th added public sessions were held.
2. Tourism in our Village- Our first Town Hall was held on Aug 20th with interactive attendee feedback to the questions. Round 2 Town Hall Oct 8th provided early findings that are all available HERE. Next report findings will be provided at one of the December City Council meetings.
3. Election & Ballot Watch - November 2026 for Carmel-by-the-Sea HERE, updates inlcuded on 5 Candidates and 2 Tax Measures 
4. CRA's Candidates Forum - September 15th our City Council & Mayor Candidates answered Resident questions. HERE is the Youtube. HERE are more details and press coverage.

Upcoming & Ongoing "Hot Topics"  We've compiled important history and background information on these pages. Each of these receive frequent updates as these initiatives continue to receive Council or Board/Commission updates via City Teams. Please check them out and provide your suggestions and comments.

* Housing Element & RHNA Challenges - All meeting information, background and more are on our page. On Apr 25th our Village Housing Element "Certification" letter was received and is officially a Certified Housing Element as of April 2024. With 2 years of rework efforts of many our Housing Element Amendment is officially adopted as of July 7, 2026! And it is NOW fully Certified by the State on Sept 3 2026.  Now comes implementation policies, ordinances and an updated General Plan.  Watch this space. 

* Architecture in Carmel - Design Traditions Project - Since 2021 this guidelines work has been underway. A "work group" team led by Baron & Delves guides the completion approach. As of October 2026 this work continues with Staff, Planning Commission and Community. Separately Community Workshops on the Objective Design & Development Standards (ODDS) was held on January through September. ODDS and Design Traditions updates were reviewed in October.

* ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) Updates are required to reflect State mandates ideally also our local ordinances. At the August 4th 2026 City Council, they provided Ordinance and Land Use Plan policy and directions. At the October Planning Commission the ODDS and ADU ordinance received feedback.

* Addresses in Carmel Project. Our City and Citizens team have held public updates and workshops on this significant project over the years .HERE is the City Webpage with more details. HERE is the official Carmel-by-the-Sea Map of the Standard Addresses. Standard Addresses in are LIVE - Sept 11, 2026.  Rollout detail continues.

* Parking and Traffic Management Our village has struggled with limited parking and traffic congestion for decades. Nov 5th 2024 City Council approved an ordinance to address the AB413 State requirement, that removes ~40 spaces and subsequently are complaining. A new pilot paid parking option for Car Week 2026 was explored at multiple meetings this Spring, with Council not approving this pilot. Parking management was presented at June City Council, with guidance to proceed, adding community collaboration for the next revision. 

* Police Station Replace/Rebuild Project - This contains city current and past reports, findings and press coverage on this proposed project - as led by the City Ad Hoc Committee. Multiple meetings were held for community input for this large capital project. A right-sizing (smaller footprint) recommendation was made for these Police and Public Works facilities and approved by Council July 1st. Proposals received from 6 architects in January - now, the recommendation presentation at the November City Council.

* Library Building Project - the Carmel Public Library Foundation and our City are partnering to update and restore the interior of this historic building - targeting completion in early 2028 for its Centennial Celebrations. Agreements between the Foundation, the Architect and the City have been approved. The March 4th new schematics are provided. Interium main library location now shifting to the Park Branch location, while the Childrens Library will shift to the Carmel Youth Center. And final design approval for main library to be at November City Council.

* Emergency Preparedness - This page provides details on preparing for Wildfires, Storms and more are driving increased effort of our City teams. Details on meetings, resources and more can be found on this page. On Sept/Oct City Council approved an urgency Ordinance on Home Hardening. For advanced preparations and response for El Nino on Sept 30th City proclaimed a Local Emergency. Multiple meetings expanded on these preparations - October 6th, 12th and 17th. 

* Cameras & Drones - This page provides backkground and use of Security Cameras/Lisence Plate Readers and possible future use of Drones by our Safety Teams in the future.

* Esperanza Carmel Projects 5th & Dolores (aka Ulrika Plaza & The Pit) - At the Aug 2023 meeting the newest project plan was approved and as of Spring 2026 foundation work is  underway.  For the 7th&Dolores (JB Pastor Building), the revised design was approved on April 9th 2025. However,on April 24th an appeal was filed and was heard by Council on Aug 4th and Sept 8th when changes were required for parking and landscaping, with revisions now expected fall of 2026.

* Trees in Carmel - Forest Master Plan update project is underway. Visit our page for documents and work in progress aligned with Forest & Beach Commission meetings. Relevant documents and videos are on our Trees page. The Forest Master Plan update is continuing development over 2026. 

* Carmel Beach - The Carmel City Beach is nature's gift to our residents and visitors from destinations far and near.  But it requires tasks including waste pick-up, oversight of its use and policies and the critica maintenance tied to impact of waves, King tides, storms, sand erosion, Climate Change and much more. On May15 2025, Jan 29 2026 and again on Aug 19 2026 Special Joint Commission sessions were held on Beach Hazards, Sea Level Rise and our Local Coastal Program - with supporting reports reviewed and provided.

* Tourism Management - Our Village is an international & domestic destination with the people, revenue and use this brings to our town. Information on this page will expand and efforts and exploration continues in the months ahead. City Council approved See Monterey funding that will include research/analysis July 6, 2026. First Tourism Town Hall held Thursday August 20th, an email survey published September 1, with the Second Tourism Town Hall with early findings held October 8th.  

* Village Elections 2026 - As routine, Carmel-by-the-Sea elects or re-elects a Mayor and two Council Members every two years. November 3rd is no exception. Details on these candidates, our CRA Candidates Forum and details on Tax Ballot Measures can be found on this page.  5 Candidates will be on the ballot, 2 for Mayor and 3 for Council.

* Strategic Planning & Budget Updates - Our Village has a multi-phased public approach to setting strategic priorities and annual budget cycles - annually. Our fiscal year is July 1 to June 30. For the FY 2026/2027 - this planning process began on Jan 22nd with a Strategic Priorities Workshop. All meetings, documents and videos are included on this CRA page. 

The Voice - new issue coming soon

News You Can Use - Most Recent Issues

• October 29 Issue HERE - Articles Include: Happy Birthday & Halloween Carmel, City Council Meetings next week and a few in past weeks, Jimmy Panetta at CRA's Town Hall results, and what to expect in November in Carmel. Gobble Gobble
• October 19 Issue HERE - Articles Include: Join CRA for a Jimmy Panetta Town Hall Thurs at 4:30 in Carpenter Hall, Catching up on past and upcoming meetings/events in October - including Halloween/HBD Carmel.  
• October 3 Issue HERE - Articles Include:  A Busy Week + Election, Candidates, Forums, Measure M Session, Ballot details, City Council Meetings - with El Nino declarations and two info sessions, Second Tourism Town Hall & Survey continues, more Events and Halloween/City Birthday Celebrations too.

And check out our Updated "Carmel Eats & Drinks" Listing HERE. ...as of August 2026
Updated April 2026 Members Village Incentive Program (VIP) Offers & Listing HERE

Archives of these News You Can Use emails and printed Voice's can be found HERE.   
Plus Our CRA Facebook page will also contain the most recent news, events, photos and open engagement with fellow locals - please join this page.

CRA's Upcoming 2026 Events - Save these Dates!

To plan ahead in this amazing Village - we have confirmed event dates including: 

• Friday October 30th - CRA will be in the Annual Anniversary/Halloween Parade HERE
• Thursday December 3rd - CRA Host's the Annual Gala once again to be held at Anton & Michel's.  Last Year's Details HERE.

CRA's & Carmel's Recent Past Events 

Friday October 23rd - CHS Homecoming Parade And Saturday October 24th Annual Pumpkin Roll

Thursday October 22nd - CRA Host's Jimmy Panetta, our US Congressional Representative for a Town Hall in Carpenter Hall. Photos and complete findings are available HERE

Saturday September 19th - Carmel Beach Sand Castle Contact

Tuesday September 15th - CRA Host's - Carmel City Council Candidates Forum at Carmel Woman's Club Doors Program 5:30-7:00 pm, held every 2 years! Candidates and Program Details HERE . Once again, Paul Miller, editor & owner of the Carmel Pine Cone will be our moderator. HERE is the Youtube of our Forum

   

Saturday September 12th 2026, - CRA's Annual Feast in the Forest - with a Mardi Gras theme this year was held annually at Pebble Beach Indian Village. Details are HERE  Great times, LIVE Jazz Band music, auction and great food once again from our local Chef Tim Woods.

    

Thursday August 20th - Tourism Town Hall was held.  HERE is a good press summary, and the Video recording expected shortly.  More details on our Tourism research project can be found HERE.

Saturday August 1st 8am to 4pm - CRA, Carmel High & Padre Parents - Rummage/Resale Sale at Carmel High School  

Drop off days are Wednesday through Friday - July 29-31 at Carmel High School.  Day of Sale August 1st.  Proceeds will benefit Carmel High School arts, activities, clubs and student enrichment. Details are HERE. Thanks to all!

Saturday July 18th - CRA Beach Clean Up - Thanks to our Volunteers!...It's always held the 3rd Saturday each Month (as long as Weather & Conditions Allow)

Saturday July 4th - Independence Celebration - Big thanks to Monterey County Pops HERE for their amazing patriotic musical concert. We also heard from notables including Jimmy Panetta our Federal House of Representative HERE, plus an amazing interview with Roland Martin IV a WWII HERE veteran as a special guests. (Roland survived 52 missions, then survived 2 years in a POW camp)

Saturday May 30th - Evacuation Drill - a first in the Monterey Penninsula - thanks to all of those who helped planned to help assure we are better prepared.  Plus the special recognition and  and appreciation to Cindi Mitchell - who served in our Carmel Police Department for 40 years! Details HERE.

Monday May 25th - Our Village Memorial Day Celebrations with honored guest Leon Panetta in Devendorf Park

Wednesday May 20th - CRA's Membership - Annual Meeting with Sunset Center Behind-the-Curtains Guest Speakers - and honoring our Business of the Year - Greg & Madigan Ahn of 7th & Dolores/Folktail. HERE is the YouTube from this meeting.  Details HERE.   

April 30th - CRA Members - No Host at VIN By The Sea - on Dolores btwn 5th & 6th. Details HERE.

April 29 - Carmel High Students held a great "Mock City Council" meeting - and rocked it!  HERE is the agendaand link to the YouTube. 

CRA's Monthly Beach Clean Up in April,  Companies and their employees represented were Carmel Valley Coffee Roasting, Charles Schwab, the VNA, and many traveling volunteers.  Details on our Beach Clean Up every 3rd Saturday March - October is HERE.

February 26 - CRA's No Host at American Legion Post 512 at Dolores & 8th Details HERE.
  

 And a few from late 2025!

December 21  -  Monterey County Pops! Brass with Chorus Holiday Concert at Church of the Wayfarer

December 14 - Christmas Carol Sing-Along in downtown Carmel starting at Carmel Plaza

December 6 - 9-12AM Car Week Listening Session at Carmel Youth Center (4th & Lopez) hosted by Police Chief Todd Trayer

December 5 - Carmel Holiday Celebration - Holidays in the Park
(HERE is a video that moves slower than the carousel images below)

December 3 2025 - CRA's 2025 Holiday Gala - at Anton & Michel 

Our Annual Traditional CRA Holiday Gala -  a sit-down dinner with your guests and fellow members. This year we gathered (exclusively for the 80 CRA attendees) at Anton & Michel on Mission. There were 4 great main dish options to select from with Wine included. More Gala details are available HERE.