The City of San Jose Welcomes Your Business to our City

The City of San Jose would like to help you succeed as you grow your business here. There are many programs the City manages, some regulatory and some not. Within in each section you will find a breadth of information as you click on the links. Use the right hand navigation to click directly to those programs that you are familiar with.

Programs and Services for Your Business

Small Business Ambassador Program (Guidance on the building permit process)

The Building Department's Development Services assists small business owners through the review and permitting process by appointing a single point of contact within the City to assist those not familiar with the project review and inspection processes. Business owners receiving the most benefit from this program engage an ambassador prior to signing a lease or buying a property. To find out more visit http://www.sanjoseca.gov/development/smallbusiness/.

Guide to Starting a Business (An overview of organizations and their role in business)

The City's Finance Department has developed a list of the various agencies and organizations that businesses need to register with depending upon the type of business. The list covers City, State and Federal agencies and the types of regulations they enforce. For the complete listing of agencies please visit the Finance Department: http://www2.csjfinance.org/giball.asp.

work2future-Business Services Program (Guidance on Getting Started)

The Business Services Program is a collaboration of partners who provide quality business development, entrepreneurial and employment services to businesses. The objective is to provide businesses with workforce tools they need to succeed in a global economy. To find out more contact work2future at 877-880-1222 or visit www.work2future.biz

BusinessOwnerSpace.com (Guidance on Getting Started)

BusinessOwnerSpace.com (BOS) is San Jose-Silicon Valley’s most accessible, comprehensive, and useful one-stop resource for launching and growing a business in the greater San Jose metropolitan area. BOS is comprised of a collaborative partnership among two dozen public, private, and non-profit agencies and businesses -- all pursuing the same goal: to help new and small business owners and entrepreneurs achieve success. To find out more visit www.businessownerspace.com/

Special Tenant Improvement Program in Vacant Buildings

The Special Tenant Improvement Program (STI) was established to encourage companies to locate in vacant buildings within industrial and r&d uses, as well as office space in the Downtown Core. The program offers expedited plan review and plan check. To see if you qualify or to find out more information contact the Building Department at 408-535-7781 or visit: http://www.sanjoseca.gov/building/STIlinks.asp.

Industrial Tool Installation Program

The Industrial Tool Installation Program (ITI) program offers expedited plan review and inspection. To see if you qualify or to find out more information contact the Building Department at 408-535-6849 or visit: http://www.sanjoseca.gov/building/ITIlinks.asp.

Incentives Offered by the City for Your Business

Business Cooperation Program

The Business Cooperation Program provides businesses a rebate of up to 30% on the local portion of the State collected Use Tax subsequently remitted to the City as a result of the business entering the State’s Use Tax Direct Pay Permit program or allocating Use Tax attributed to acquisition of construction materials in San Jose. For a flyer on the program or more information and details contact the Office of Economic Development at 408.535.8178 or visit: http://www.sjeconomy.com

Enterprise Zone

Businesses located in the Enterprise Zone can receive state tax credits that can significantly reduce business-operating costs. Incentives include: Sales and Use Tax Credits, Hiring Tax Credits, Business Expense Deductions, Net Operating Loss Carryover and Net Interest Deduction for Lenders. To find out if you are eligible please contact the San Jose Redevelopment Agency at 408-795-1813 or visit: http://www.sjeconomy.com/ez/.

Foreign Trade Zone

The Foreign Trade Zone is a site within the U.S., where foreign and domestic merchandize is considered to be outside of U.S. Customs territory.  Merchandise can be imported into a Foreign Trade Zone without a formal Customs entry procedure or the payment of federal import duties.  The Foreign Trade Zone allows a user (an individual or business) to delay, reduce or eliminate duty payments on foreign merchandise that enters the Foreign Trade Zone. To find out more contact the Office of Economic Development at 408-535-8186 or visit: www.sjeconomy.com/ftz/

Water Efficient Technologies (WET)

Water Efficient Technologies (WET) offers rebates of up to $50,000 per water efficiency project to businesses that discharge to the San Jose/Santa Clara Water Pollution Control Plant. To find out more contact the Environmental Services Department at 408-945-3000 or visit: http://www.sanjoseca.gov/esd/water-conservation/business/wet.asp.

City Programs for Financing Your Business

Recycling Market Development Zone

San Jose manufacturers using recycled feedstock (glass, paper, plastic, used tires, etc) may not only be eligible for low-interest state loans of up to $2 million but also technical, marketing and location assistance. To find out more contact the Environmental Services Department at 408-975-2527 or visit http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/RMDZ/SanJose/.

Resources for Starting Your Business

Guide to Starting a Business

The City's Finance Department has developed a list of the various agencies and organizations that businesses need to register with depending upon the type of business. The list covers City, State and Federal agencies and the types of regulations they enforce. For the complete listing of agencies please visit the Finance Department: http://www2.csjfinance.org/giball.asp.

Small Business Development Process (Development Services)

The Building Department's Development Services assists small business owners through the review and permitting process. The primary way Development Services provides this service is through the Small Business Ambassador Program. If you would like to preview the things you should consider before leasing or buying property you can do so by visiting Development Services at: http://www.sanjoseca.gov/development/smallbusiness/permitoverview.asp.

Small Business Ambassador Program (Guidance on the building permit process)

The Building Department's Development Services assists small business owners through the review and permitting process by appointing a single point of contact within the City to assist those not familiar with the project review and inspection processes. Business owners receiving the most benefit from this program engage an ambassador prior to signing a lease or buying a property. To find out more visit http://www.sanjoseca.gov/development/smallbusiness/.

City Requirements (Regulations)

Home Occupation (Doing Business from your home)

Businesses can be operated from a single family attached or detached dwelling, duplex, apartment, or mobilehome which is clearly incidental to the residential use of the dwelling, this is called Home Occupation. All home occupations must conform to criteria set forth in the City's Municipal Code. To find out the requirements for operating a business from a residence please visit the Finance Department at: http://www2.csjfinance.org/homeoccupation.asp.

Business Tax (Required License)

All persons or companies conducting business in San Jose must pay the Business Tax (License), whether or not they have offices located in San Jose. This tax is required prior to the commencement of business in San Jose. To find out more information about the business tax please visit the Finance Department at: http://www2.csjfinance.org/giball.asp.
The Business Tax Registration Form: http://www2.csjfinance.org/biztax.pdf.

Development Services (Permits)

Development review services are provided by different Departments within the City. The main Development Services partners include, Planning, Building, Public Works, and Fire Prevention. To find out more contact Development Services at 408-535-3555 or visit: http://www.sanjoseca.gov/development/developmentcenter/.

Information on Building Permits: http://www.sanjoseca.gov/building/Permit.asp

Fire Prevention

The Fire Department is responsible for reviewing and inspecting buildings for compliance to fire codes, fire standards and local ordinances. Fire Architectural Plan Review is required for new construction, any addition to an existing building, any interior renovation within a building, and a change in occupancy. This service is performed in conjunction with the Building Divisions plan review. To find design documents for fire prevention please visit the Fire Department at: http://www.sjfd.org/permits.asp.

Opportunities to Work with the City

Small Business Opportunity Program

The Small Business Opportunity Program increases business access to City procurement opportunities through increased outreach and better information exchange. City departments use both on-line posting and e-mail notification to inform potential vendors of open bids and contracting opportunities. To find out more information contact the Office of Economic Development at 408-535-8181 or visit http://www.sjeconomy.com/businessassistance/smallbiz.asp

BidLine

BidLine is intended to provide information on current contract opportunities offered by the City of San Jose and general information on how to do business with the City. To find out more information contact the Finance Department's Purchasing Division at 408-535-7018 or visit http://www.sanjoseca.gov/purchasing/

Partner Programs Offering Business Counseling and Services

Business Incubators

Energy Audits, Rebates and Incentives for Small Businesses

Small Business Development Center of Silicon Valley

The Silicon Valley Small Business Development Center offers a wide variety of services for present small business owners. All counseling services are confidential and provided at no cost. Low cost business training workshops are also available. The Silicon Valley SBDC is dedicated to assisting with small business opportunities, preventing future problems, improving management skills, helping businesses expand and develop, promoting minority and women-owned businesses, and creating and retaining jobs. Please contact them at 408-351-3600 or http://www.svsbdc.org

Software Development Forum

The Software Development Forum provides software and Internet professionals with a one-stop location in Downtown San Jose for information, connections, and education. Please contact them at 408-414-5950 or http://www.sdforum.org/.