Business Incentives

The Economic Development Department maintains a list of federal, state and local incentives and resources to help businesses thrive. Please check with your tax attorney or CPA to see if your business is receiving the benefits of these incentives.

Local Incentives

The Facade Improvement Program

Properties in and near the downtown area may be eligible for up to $15,000 to assist with exterior facade upgrades. Please note: businesses must apply and receive a Commitment Letter from the City prior to starting construction. 

Restaurant Fee Waiver Program

Permit fee waivers up to $5,000 are available to reduce the costs of building and planning permit fees from the city associated with the opening of a new dine-in or quick service restaurant. Restaurants that generate the majority of their revenue from the sale of dine-in food and non-alcoholic beverages are eligible to apply. The waiver is available for permit applications submitted on or after January 1, 2023. 

Live Entertainment Fee Waiver

The City has received federal American Rescue Plan Act Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (CSLFRF) to respond to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency and its negative economic impacts. As a part of this program, the City is offering to waive the Live Entertainment permit fees for qualified businesses. This one-time waiver covers the permit fees for the period through December 31, 2024. To receive this fee waiver, a complete Live Entertainment Permit Package including a list of all employees and a proof of their Responsible Beverage Service training needs to be submitted to Sara Trench at strench@cityofvista.com. 

State Incentives

College Access Tax Credit

This incentive provides a tax credit to taxpayers and businesses who contribute to Cal Grants, the State of California’s largest source of educational financial aid. The credit can be used to offset or reduce taxes. Cal Grants provide aid to in need California undergraduates, vocational training students and those in teacher certification programs. These grants help California students achieve their higher education goals.

California Competes Tax Credit

This program helps companies grow in California by reducing their state income tax. Any business considering locating in the State of California and any existing businesses considering expansion should explore this program.

The California Research Credit

This credit reduces income or franchise tax. You qualify for the credit if you paid or incurred qualified research expenses while conducting qualified research in California. Companies in the biotech, life sciences, and pharmaceutical industries that perform research and development may qualify for this credit.

 
Manufacturing and Research & Development Partial Sales and Tax Exemption

Manufacturers and certain research and developers may qualify for a partial exemption of sales and use tax on certain manufacturing and research and development equipment purchases and leases.

Has your Vista business received the benefit of one or more of these state incentives? Contact us to share your story.

Federal Incentives

The Business Energy Investment Tax Credit

The Department of Energy offers a tax incentive that provides rebates to businesses when they use alternative energy, including solar.

The New Markets Tax Credit Program

This program incentivizes community development and economic growth through the use of tax credits to attract private investment to distressed communities.

Opportunity Zones

This program provides investors tax incentives to invest in low-income census tracts by allowing them to defer tax on capital gains and decrease taxes on potential future gains.

The Work Opportunity Tax Credit

This is a federal income tax credit incentive provided to private sector employers. An employer may be eligible when they hire from certain target groups of job seekers who face employment barriers or have recently become dislocated. The San Diego Workforce Partnership can assist companies with this and other workforce development programs.

Did your Vista business receive the benefit of one or more of these federal incentives? Contact us to share your story.