Incentives

1. Coordination of permit processing and inspections to assure fast-tracking.
    
2. On a case-by-case basis, the City has allowed planning application permit fees to be paid over time. If you qualify under the Business Incentive Zone (BIZ), fees may be paid over a five year period as explained in item number 13.
    
3. Incentives for reducing development impact fees may include the following if approved by City Council:

   Up to a 10% reduction in fees determined by a development’s total payroll; plus up to a 10% reduction in fees determined by the amount of sales tax generated by a development, per this formula:

4. Development Impact Fees - In development taking place in one of our three redevelopment project areas the following can apply. For three full tax years subsequent to completion of development, payment of an amount equal to one-half of the tax increment from the new development/expansion can be applied to development impact fees not to exceed fees paid for development. This option available only if located in the Redevelopment Project Area.
    
5. A Design Review (site plan) application must be filed for all new construction projects other than single-family residences. A Conditional Use Permit application is required for some “sensitive” land uses. When both a Design Review application AND a Conditional Use Permit application are required, only one application, the Conditional Use Permit application, must be filed. This saves time and money.
    
6. What is “fast tracking” for some communities is normal operating procedure for the City of Tulare. For instance, CEQA (environmental) review is reduced in time to its statutory limits. This means that most planning applications can be filed and acted upon within thirty (30) days.
    
7. At the option of the applicant, in an effort to save time in the development process, construction drawings for plan checking and a building permit may be filed at the same time as planning applications, or even in advance of submittal of planning permit applications. A time savings of between three (3) to six (6) weeks may be realized by choosing this option.
    
8. In order to further reduce development time, on a case-by-case basis, building permits may be split into parts. For instance, it is not uncommon to issue a grading permit in advance of the remainder of the building permit.
     
9. The City of Tulare has a professional plan checker to assist in the plan checking process. This professional employee will be available to answer questions regarding building codes and offer professional advice on construction methods and materials. Plan checking time will take approximately four (4) weeks to about days (7) days depending upon complexity of plans and codes.
    
10. The City will endeavor to maximize the considerable employment training options available in our area to meet the employer’s needs. Maximum tax dollars available are $2,000 per employee, or $40,000 for 20 employees. If applicants qualify under the Enterprise Zone (EZ) state tax credits of up to $37,000 per employee may be obtained as mentioned in item number 13.
     
11. The City will work with the employer’s tax advisor to maximize benefits to the employer. The City offers to assist in obtaining favorable financing via Small Business Administration (SBA) loans or other advantageous means.
      
12. Commercial Loan Program - loans of up to $30,000 to small businesses can be made through our Redevelopment Department for the improvement of commercial and industrial properties. All loans subject to agency approval.
     
13. The City of Tulare is participating in the Sequoia Valley Enterprise Zone (EZ) program which includes but is not limited to the following:
     
    - Be able to pay development fees over five years without interest or administrative fee, with the first installment due upon occupancy and five annual installments thereafter.

    State incentives available to qualifying companies under the BIZ:

    • Tax credits for sales and use taxes paid on the purchase of certain machinery, machinery parts, and equipment.
    • Up to $37,000 in State Tax Credits are available over five years for each eligible employee hired.
    • Fifteen years net operating loss carry-forward
    • Accelerated expensing deduction
    • Employer hiring assistance
    • Net interest deduction for lenders
    • Preference points on state contracts

Availability of trained labor at low cost