Bon appetit and bonne chance, budding restaurateurs
The City is receiving greater interest from business owners who would like to expand existing restaurants or open new restaurants within the Village. The City also hears frequently from property owners who would like to convert their leasable space to allow for a restaurant use. The City is naturally very excited about this interest and encourages it.
To help address land use and permitting requirements, the City has developed a frequently asked questions and answers (FAQ) sheet for information purposes. This FAQ sheet is intended to address the most commonly asked questions and concerns.
There are many variations on requirements depending on existing land use and type of restaurant. As a result, we encourage potential restaurant owners to contact the Housing and Neighborhood Services Department for more detailed discussion on the requirements and various issues to address when opening a new restaurant in the Village.
However, to provide some initial information the FAQ sheet should be a helpful launching point for such discussions. Here are some examples of the issues addressed in the FAQ sheet, which is available at www.carlsbadca.gov/redevelopment:
Q. Would I be allowed to open my restaurant within an existing building/space in the Village, which is currently or was previously used for a restaurant?
A. Yes. If the space is currently or was previously used for a restaurant, you would be allowed to open another restaurant in that space. If you complete tenant improvements, you will be required to meet current building and other related codes and regulations and may be required to upgrade for handicap accessibility purposes. A change in ownership of a restaurant also triggers a requirement to upgrade the grease control device for the facility. This will not, however, trigger a requirement to provide additional parking for the restaurant use (even if there is no parking currently provided). It should be noted, however, that it could trigger the requirement to change a standard parking space to a handicap accessible space under the building code requirements.
Q. Would I be allowed to open my restaurant within an existing building/space in the Village, which is currently or previously used for a use other than restaurant (i.e. retail or office use)?
A. If the space is currently or was previously used for a use other than restaurant (i.e. retail, commercial service, office, etc), then you may be able to use the existing building but you will be required to apply for a land use permit to convert the use to restaurant. You also will be required to meet all current requirements for parking, building code compliance, fire code compliance and other related codes. There will also be additional fees required for traffic, sewer, water and perhaps other utilities. It is important to also note that all new food service facilities must include installation of a grease control device to meet a city ordinance adopted to address fats, oils and greases that have potentially negative impacts on the city's sanitary sewer system.
The goal of Housing and Neighborhood Services is to provide as much up-front information as possible to help business and property owners make informed, educated decisions, and to be successful in their efforts to open new restaurants in the Village. We believe the FAQ and subsequent discussions will help with the planning and budgeting processes, and may help prevent unwelcome surprises. If we can provide additional assistance, we encourage a phone call to our office at (760) 434-2815.
The City is receiving greater interest from business owners who would like to expand existing restaurants or open new restaurants within the Village. The City also hears frequently from property owners who would like to convert their leasable space to allow for a restaurant use. The City is naturally very excited about this interest and encourages it.
To help address land use and permitting requirements, the City has developed a frequently asked questions and answers (FAQ) sheet for information purposes. This FAQ sheet is intended to address the most commonly asked questions and concerns.
There are many variations on requirements depending on existing land use and type of restaurant. As a result, we encourage potential restaurant owners to contact the Housing and Neighborhood Services Department for more detailed discussion on the requirements and various issues to address when opening a new restaurant in the Village.
However, to provide some initial information the FAQ sheet should be a helpful launching point for such discussions. Here are some examples of the issues addressed in the FAQ sheet, which is available at www.carlsbadca.gov/redevelopment:
Q. Would I be allowed to open my restaurant within an existing building/space in the Village, which is currently or was previously used for a restaurant?
A. Yes. If the space is currently or was previously used for a restaurant, you would be allowed to open another restaurant in that space. If you complete tenant improvements, you will be required to meet current building and other related codes and regulations and may be required to upgrade for handicap accessibility purposes. A change in ownership of a restaurant also triggers a requirement to upgrade the grease control device for the facility. This will not, however, trigger a requirement to provide additional parking for the restaurant use (even if there is no parking currently provided). It should be noted, however, that it could trigger the requirement to change a standard parking space to a handicap accessible space under the building code requirements.
Q. Would I be allowed to open my restaurant within an existing building/space in the Village, which is currently or previously used for a use other than restaurant (i.e. retail or office use)?
A. If the space is currently or was previously used for a use other than restaurant (i.e. retail, commercial service, office, etc), then you may be able to use the existing building but you will be required to apply for a land use permit to convert the use to restaurant. You also will be required to meet all current requirements for parking, building code compliance, fire code compliance and other related codes. There will also be additional fees required for traffic, sewer, water and perhaps other utilities. It is important to also note that all new food service facilities must include installation of a grease control device to meet a city ordinance adopted to address fats, oils and greases that have potentially negative impacts on the city's sanitary sewer system.
The goal of Housing and Neighborhood Services is to provide as much up-front information as possible to help business and property owners make informed, educated decisions, and to be successful in their efforts to open new restaurants in the Village. We believe the FAQ and subsequent discussions will help with the planning and budgeting processes, and may help prevent unwelcome surprises. If we can provide additional assistance, we encourage a phone call to our office at (760) 434-2815.