Departments & Divisions

Building & Engineering

Engineering is responsible for city engineers, streets, sewer and water distribution, confined drainage ways, public transportation, traffic control, parks and government buildings.

City Attorney

The City Attorney is retained by the City Council to provide general legal services to the City Council, City Manager and City Departments.

City Clerk

The City Clerk for the City of Arcata is responsible for recording and maintaining all proceedings of the City Council and City committees and commissions.

City Manager

The City Manager is appointed by the City Council and is responsible for the administration of municipal affairs. All municipal departments operate under the supervision of the City Manager.

Commercial Cannabis

The City Council passed Resolution 156-40 authorizing the permitting of certain commercial medical cannabis / medical marijuana activities within the Medical Marijuana Innovation Zone. The permit is called the Commercial Cannabis Activity Permit (CCAP).

Community Development

The Community Development Department is composed of Planning, Economic Development, and Housing Divisions.

Economic Development

The Economic Development Division manages business loan programs (small and large) and the City's Foodworks Culinary Center (an incubator for small food manufacturers).

Environmental Services

The Environmental Services Department is responsible for parks, natural resources, facilities, recreation, streets/utilities and water/wastewater.

Finance

The Finance Department manages the fiscal and financial affairs of the City in a prudent and effective manner.

Foodworks

Foodworks Culinary Center

Housing

Information Technology

The Information Technology division handles all of our day to day technology needs including; phones, user computers, network infrastructure, enterprise systems, compliance, policy, training and technology purchase assessment.

Recreation Division

Arcata Recreation believes in the power of play. Anything that gets us moving, exploring, creating and learning can greatly enhance our overall quality of life.

Personnel / Human Resources

The City of Arcata is committed to attracting, retaining and developing talented, productive and motivated employees who are dedicated to delivering high-quality services to the community.

Police

The Police Department is responsible for the protection of life and property, the maintenance of order, the control and prevention of crime, and the enforcement of motor vehicle laws and regulations.

Planning

The Planning Division ensures that private and public development in the City conforms with its Land Use Code, and is involved with preservation of historic properties, environmental reviews, code violations, and other issues related to land use.