McDonalds General Manager Whitney Klinock greet customers in the drive-thru at the N. Green River Rd. location Friday morning, Sept. 27, 2019. 1 Mcdonalds
Carlsbad, California – In a significant policy reversal, the Carlsbad City Council has voted to lift a 27-year ban on new drive-thru restaurants, marking a new chapter for one of Southern California’s most prominent coastal communities.
The 3-2 decision, made Tuesday evening, allows new drive-thru proposals to be considered on a case-by-case basis—ending a prohibition in place since 1997. According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, the council’s vote followed months of public input and planning after renewed interest in revisiting the policy emerged in 2024.
Originally enacted over concerns about traffic, environmental impact, and preserving the city’s beach-town charm, the ban had capped Carlsbad’s drive-thru count at 12, with most located near the I-5 Freeway. That number dropped to 11 when one location closed.
Under the new guidelines, restaurants and developers can now submit individual applications to build drive-thrus. However, they must undergo a rigorous process that includes a privately initiated amendment to zoning rules, a conditional use permit, and a recommendation from the Planning Commission. Final approval rests with the City Council, which will evaluate each project based on location suitability and potential impact.
Drive-thrus will still be prohibited in specific districts like the Village and Barrio, where zoning laws differ and community preservation remains a top priority.
Supporters of lifting the ban highlighted the convenience drive-thrus offer, particularly for elderly residents, people with disabilities, and families with young children. Businesses also argued that the change could boost local sales and create new job opportunities.
“Both sides have valid arguments,” said Mayor Keith Blackburn, who voted in favor of the change. “It’s about choice, business, and quality of life.”
Opponents voiced continued concerns over increased vehicle traffic and potential damage to the city’s coastal identity, especially given Carlsbad’s status as home to major attractions like LEGOLAND, The Flower Fields, and several luxury resorts and beaches.
Applicants for new drive-thrus will bear responsibility for all associated costs, including environmental impact assessments. City officials emphasize that the change does not signal a green light for unchecked development, but rather a more flexible approach tailored to evolving community needs.
Carlsbad now joins most U.S. cities where drive-thrus—accounting for roughly 43% of all fast-food orders—are a daily convenience many residents rely on.
