Carmel Board Rules on Mad Dogs & Englishmen Appeal

The city appeals board granted a partial appeal regarding fire safety but denied a request to waive restroom requirements.

Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Isometric editorial illustration of a classic coastal commercial storefront facade, representing business regulatory compliance in Carmel. — The Carmel Building Code Board of Appeals issued a unanimous ruling regarding occupancy classification requirements for a local Mission Street business. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Carmel Building Code Board of Appeals reached a unanimous decision on a dispute between local business owner Jennifer Blevins and city staff. The board settled the fire sprinkler requirement but upheld the current mandate regarding restrooms for the establishment.

Why it matters

The dispute centers on whether adding a coffee shop shifted the business from mercantile to assembly occupancy, a classification change that triggered costly building code requirements. This decision impacts the long-term feasibility of the business located at Mission Street and Ocean Avenue.

Owner Jennifer Blevins has incurred over $100,000 in fees during the two-year dispute, while the fire sprinkler upgrades carry an estimated cost of $800,000. The board hearing lasted nearly five hours to reach its decision.

The players

Jennifer Blevins

She is the owner of Mad Dogs & Englishmen who has been engaged in a long-standing regulatory dispute with city officials.

Carmel Building Code Board of Appeals

This local governmental body is responsible for hearing and ruling on disputes regarding building permits and safety code compliance.

The details

City officials argued that the addition of a coffee shop changed the building occupancy classification of the business, which has operated since 2018. Blevins maintained that the building usage has remained consistent throughout her tenure.

The business first opened in Carmel in 2018.
A dispute between the business owner and city officials spanned 2024 to 2026.
The Board of Appeals held a site tour and hearing on October 19, 2026.
The board is expected to return with a formal resolution in November 2026.

Market Landscape

This dispute highlights the friction between small business operations and evolving municipal building code enforcement. It reflects a broader trend of local jurisdictions strictly reclassifying building usage to adhere to modern International Building Code occupancy standards.

Local business owners should be aware that adding services like coffee shops may trigger new building occupancy requirements and fire inspections. Compliance costs can quickly escalate, affecting the long-term financial viability of small retail establishments in the area.

The takeaway

Navigating municipal building code updates requires clear communication between business owners and city planning departments. Owners should verify occupancy classifications before introducing new service lines to avoid unexpected regulatory hurdles.

What happens next

The Board of Appeals is scheduled to return with a final, formal resolution regarding the building requirements within 30 days of the October 19 hearing.