CARLSBAD — The California Coastal Commission has approved updated use regulations for the McClellan-Palomar Airport that the Carlsbad City Council first adopted in 2024, amid ongoing disputes with San Diego County over expanded commercial airport activities.
McClellan-Palomar Airport is owned by the county but operates within Carlsbad city boundaries. The changes adopted by the city included updates to its zoning, General Plan, and Local Coastal Program to strengthen the city’s authority over land use and potential airport expansion.
These amendments clarified that the City Council retains authority over airport permits, limited the airport’s development to existing boundaries as a general aviation facility, updated the definitions of “airport” and “airport expansion,” and required conditional use permits for any new or expanded airport-related activities…