With the changing operating environment, the City of Carlsbad wants to hear from Carlsbad businesses. The city would like to better assess the ongoing effects of COVID-19 and understand the impact and outlook for businesses, including continuing challenges.
Please take a few moments to provide information that may be used to guide city programs that support businesses. The survey should take about seven minutes to complete and will close tomorrow, Nov. 25 at 5 p.m.
Limited Stay at Home Order
On Friday, the city sent information regarding the state and county’s updated health orders, which includes a limited Stay at Home order. As we understand it, these orders will not affect the majority of business operations. For example, restaurants, which were already needing to close for dine-in patrons by 10 p.m. can maintain delivery, take-out and drive-thru operations past 10 p.m. The updated order also references updated guidance on the use of face coverings.
Warming Outdoor Spaces in Winter Weather
Carlsbad benefits from temperate year-round weather, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t get colder in the winter months. With the onset of winter, businesses may want to heat outdoor areas for the comfort of their customers. This document provides guidance for businesses to continue operating outdoors safely and responsibly.
Occupancy Restrictions at Some Businesses
With the backsliding of San Diego County to the state’s purple tier, some industries are impacted by increased occupancy restrictions. The city has received several inquiries regarding occupancy determinations. Most businesses (those that are not a location with expected assembly of patrons, like theaters or restaurants) do not receive posted maximum occupancy, making it a challenge to determine. The county provided the following information regarding business occupancy loads:
The physical distance guideline is six feet of separation between employees, customers, and visitors when not from the same household. Business occupancy can be determined based on maximum room/area occupancy and net square footage of room/area. A sample online tool is maximum capacity calculator.*
*Note that the tool provided is for advisory purposes only and the City of Carlsbad does not deem this as an official source of occupancy load determinations.
Operating Guidance for Industry
Here is a helpful comparison chart showing what kind of operations are allowed in each tier. The full list of industry-specific guidance for each tier can be found here.
Activating Outdoor Space
Businesses that need to move operations outdoors can take advantage of the city’s quick and easy process to activate private parking lots and public right of way at no cost. Further information and links to the necessary permits can be found here.
Carlsbad Business Loan Program
The Carlsbad Business Loan Program provides funding to Carlsbad small businesses to keep operations going. There are two loan types for Carlsbad small businesses. The first are small business microloans of between $5,000 -$10,000 for businesses with $2,000,000 or less in gross revenue or 15 or fewer employees. The second are small business recovery loans of between $10,000 – $25,000 for businesses with $3,000,000 or less in gross revenue and 50 or fewer employees. Both loans types include scaled interest rates depending on how quickly the loan can be repaid. Neither loan type is forgivable. Access the application here.
The Office of Innovation &Economic Development is available to assist businesses with challenges they may be facing. Please email us at [email protected] with any questions.