NOAA Regulated Overflight Zones within Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Business Spotlight

The City of Watsonville features local businesses in a bimonthly Business Spotlight on the City website. Are you interested in having your business featured?

The City of Watsonville features local businesses in a bimonthly Business Spotlight on the City website. Featured businesses are those that have chosen Watsonville as their home and whose story highlights the benefits of locating in Watsonville. ...

Search for Properties

If you're looking for a home for your next start-up business or relocating, Watsonville has the real estate you need. Discover Watsonville, you'll be glad you did!

Watsonville has Opportunities for your business

Watsonville has the space you need for your business.  From Downtown Retail to large industrial sites, we have you covered.  Watsonville also offers fast permitting and a one-stop shop for a...

3rd Healthiest, Happiest City in America

Santa Cruz-Watsonville was selected as the 3rd Healthiest, Happiest City in America! According to the Gallup-Healthways State of American Well-Being 2016.

We're excited to share that Santa Cruz-Watsonville was voted the 3rd Healthiest, Happiest City in America by the Gallup-Healthways State of American Well-Being 2016 Community Rankings. The report measures how residents of 189 United States cities...

Watsonville Police Department Now Hiring!

The Watsonville Police Department is hiring, trainees, academy graduates and Police Officer Laterals. Join our team to make an impact on our community! Click here to apply now!

The Watsonville Police Department is hiring trainees, academy graduates and Police Officer laterals now!

Trainees are required to submit a verification letter showing proof of a passing score of 48 or above for the POST PELLET B Written Exam and a passing ...

Children and Cars: A Deadly Warm Weather Combination

It’s so easy to just leave a sleeping child in the car because you will “only be a minute”. But even with the windows “cracked,” the inside of your car will heat up quickly and a child’s body heats up three to five times faster than an adult.

With all of our activities, we always seem to be in a rush. It’s so easy to just leave a sleeping child in the car because you will “only be a minute”. But even with the windows “cracked,” the inside of your car will heat up quickly and a child’s body hea...

Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter’s Door-to-Door Program

The program offers pet food, animal parasite control, new leashes, collars, and even pet toys. Stop by the Farmers Market or contact Jen Walker, Program Manager at the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter at 831-454-7235.

The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter Door to Door Outreach Program is designed to help pet owners in need, to provide better care for their pets than they can on their own. The program offers pet food, animal parasite control, new leashes, collars, and ev...

Take Your Household Hazardous Waste to a Free Drop-Off Location

It’s cleanup time! Do you have products that contain toxic ingredients such as pesticides, auto products, used batteries or light bulbs sitting inside your garage or taking up space in your cabinets?

 Make space at home by properly disposing of these hazardous products you no longer need. These items cannot be placed in the regular trash or recycling bin and it is unlawful to pour them down the kitchen sink, toilets, or storm drains as it pol...

Watsonville Beard Brigade

For the third year in a row, Chief of Police David Honda has given the green light to Watsonville police officers to forgo facial hair grooming so they can participate in a fun-raising event for the children of Jacob's Heart Cancer Support Service.

For the third year in a row, Chief of Police David Honda has given the green light to Watsonville police officers to forgo facial hair grooming so they can participate in a fun-raising event for the children of Jacob’s Heart Cancer Support Service. Every ...

Protect Your Pet in Hot Weather

It’s important to remember that dogs are vulnerable to injuries and illnesses related to hot weather including heat stroke, sunburn, and foot pad burns.

Hot Enough for You?Make sure your pets have unlimited access to fresh water, and access to shade when outside.

• Keep your pet free of parasites that are more common during warm weather, such as fleas, ticks and heartworm.
• Learn to recognize signs of heat str...

Music in the Plaza

Join us for Music in Plaza Thursday, June 22nd from 6-8 p.m. in downtown Watsonville. These free summer concerts will take place the 2nd & 4th Thursday!

Don’t miss the first annual Music in the Plaza summer concert series! These concerts will take place the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month starting June 22nd -September 14th from 6-8 p.m. at the Plaza in Downtown Watsonville. There will be a var...

Meet our new Downtown Police Officer

Officer Bribiesca will provide community oriented, pro-active police enforcement efforts in the downtown area.

Officer Bribiesca is assigned to the Special Investigations Unit (SIU).  He will provide community oriented, pro-active police enforcement efforts in the downtown area. 

Some of Officer Bribiesca’s goals are to develop a strong working re...

Proactive Code Enforcement of Commercial & Residential Properties

The City is moving forward with improvements to our Code Enforcement structure and operation.

As part of our on-going efforts to revitalize the City’s commercial areas and downtown, the City is moving forward with improvements to our Code Enforcement structure and operation. Code Enforcement services are currently provided within the Community Dev...

Watsonville Crime Rates Drop

In 2016, the City of Watsonville experienced a decrease in crime rates compared to 2015. We did not have a single homicide and robberies were reduced by 55.8%.

In 2016, the City of Watsonville experienced a decrease in crime rates compared to 2015.  We did not have a single homicide and robberies were reduced by 55.8%.  Both crime rates are the lowest in over a decade. Overall crime rates were ...

Your Dollars at Work

The City of Watsonville strives to maintain a high level of service at the lowest cost to our residents.

Utility ratessupport infrastructure improvements required to continuedelivering safe and reliable water, sewer, and solid wasteservices to our customers.

Every day we pump, treat, test and deliver nearly 7 million gallons of water from our local groundwate...

Watsonville Code Enforcement Division has increased enforcement activities

Please note that the City of Watsonville Code Enforcement Division has increased enforcement activities throughout the City.

Please note that the City of Watsonville Code Enforcement Division has increased enforcement activities throughout the City, both for residential and commercial code violations. 

It is the mission of the Code Enforcement Division to work in partne...

City of Watsonville Announces New Website & Refreshed Logo

We're excited to announce that big changes are coming as we work on revamping our communication efforts and rebranding our City image...

The City of Watsonville is excited to announce that big changes are coming as we work on revamping our communication efforts and rebranding our City image, including a new website, community newsletter, City logo and branding campaign.The City’s...

Keeping Up With Watsonville

Stay up to date with upcoming events happening in Watsonville...

 Earth Day/Day of the Child – Sunday, April 23, 2017: Join us for the 15th Annual Earth Day/Day of the Child Festival! The event is moving downtown to the City Plaza. Over 50 organizations and community services will join together to cel...

Recycle Your Used Motor Oil and Paint

It’s more convenient than ever to recycle responsibly in Watsonville!
In-store take-back programs are free for residents.

It’s more convenient than ever to recycle responsibly in Watsonville! In-store take-back programs are free for residents. They help you return products like used motor oil and unwanted paint for reuse or recycling. These two products are considered househ...

Pinto Lake City Park

The City of Watsonville is saddened to learn of the passing of Patricia McQuade ...

The City of Watsonville is saddened to learn of the passing of Patricia McQuade, the concessionaire at Pinto Lake Park, and offers its condolences to the family of Ms. McQuade.

The City of Watsonville is temporarily overseeing the operations at Pinto Lake ...

Council Approves Transportation Projects to Be Funded by Measure D

The City Council approved an expenditure plan that included seven transportation projects to be funded by Measure D...

Measure D will provide the City with $750,000 per year for the next 30 years.  This funding will be managed and spent in Watsonville and cannot be taken away by the State for other projects. 

The projects were identified through a survey ...

Senior’s/Care Utility User’s Tax Exemption

Senior’s and Care customers living in the City of Watsonville are eligible for tax breaks on some of their utility bills.

• Download the application form
• Mail or deliver the form with a copy of a State/Federal issued identification and one recent utility bill to the City Finance Department at 250 Main Street, Watsonville, CA 95076

Utility User’s Tax Exemption Form &...

HERO: Home Energy Renovation Opportunity Program

The HERO program is now available to Watsonville homeowners.

The HERO program is now available to Watsonville homeowners.  HERO, which stands for Home Energy Renovation Opportunity, provides a unique financing option for homeowners who want to install energy efficiency upgrades in their home.  The...

Water Line Replacement Project
Crescent Dr., Melrose Ave., & Allston Way

The water line replacement project has started in various streets of Watsonville!

The following streets will be affected this project: 

• Crescent Drive
• Melrose Avenue
• Allston Way

The project will consist of the installation of:

• New water mains
• Isolation Valves
• Hydrants
• Domestic Services

The project will begin on April 10, 2017 and the e...

Cruz511 In Your Neighborhood Coming to Watsonville

Cruz511 In Your Neighborhood is a program designed to connect with people who are interested in leaving their car at home...

What is Cruz 511?

Cruz511 In Your Neighborhood is a program designed to connect with people who are interested in leaving their car at home and making changes in their travel behavior.  The Cruz511 In Your Neighborhood Team will provide customized...

Winning Entry in the 2017 Watsonville Strawberry Festival Poster Contest

Watsonville's Parks & Community Services Dpt. is pleased to announce the winner of the 2017 Watsonville Strawberry Festival...

Local artist Priscilla Martinez has been selected as the contest winner for her art submission entitled, Strawberry Fiestas.This is the fifth consecutive year that Pricilla has won the poster contest. The winning entry will serve as the official poster fo...

Now Hiring Police Officers

The Watsonville Police Department is hiring trainees, academy graduates, and Police Officer Laterals.

Trainees required to submit the  PELLETB Written Test T-Score and WSTB Physical Agility Test Results when turning in application for employment

NO...

Watsonville Beard Brigade

For the third year in a row, Chief of Police David Honda has given the green light to Watsonville police officers to forgo facial hair grooming so they can participate in a fun-raising event for the children of Jacob’s Heart Cancer Support Service. Every ...

Red Curb Parking Enforcement

Red curb painting has been installed adjacent to fire hydrants, curb ramps, and crosswalks in congested areas throughout the City to improve public safety. Please be advised that curbs painted in red indicate no stopping, standing or parking under any cir...

Nixle Registration

Message from Watsonville Police Chief

Dear Community of Watsonville,

Several weeks ago I attended the Community Immigration Forum held at the Watsonville High School to help address concerns and calm fears surrounding the recent presidential elections. With the upcoming Presidential Inaugurati...

Take Your Household Hazardous Waste to a Free Drop-Off Location

 Do you have products that contain toxic ingredients such as pesticides, auto products, used batteries or light bulbs sitting inside your garage or taking up space in your cabinets? Make space at home by properly disposing of these hazardous prod...

Things You Need to Know When on a Trail

RULE #1: USE SAFE SPEEDS

Whizzing down the trail at top speed can be thrilling and fun, but it can also cause some trail users to feel unsafe or uncomfortable. That’s why the first rule is to use safe speeds. How do you know what’s “safe”? First, check the...

City of Watsonville Request for Qualifications: Renewable Energy Project Development

The City of Watsonville endeavors to offset 100% of municipal power needs and create a surplus of renewable power that can be sold back to the grid. In order to achieve this bold sustainability goal, the City has developed a Request For Qualifications.

Our...

Your Dollars at Work

Utility ratessupport infrastructure improvements required to continuedelivering safe and reliable water, sewer, and solid wasteservices to our customers.

Every day we pump, treat, test and deliver nearly 7 million gallons of water from our local groundwate...