California's enterprise zone program is an innovative partnership comprised of state government, local government and private businesses. The State of California re-designated Oakland on January 31, 2008, for an additional 15 years. On December 1, 2009, the state of California approved the expansion of the enterprise zone to include parts of neighboring Berkeley. To learn which streets in Berkeley are included in the the zone, click here to open a PDF document.  

Oakland Enterprise Zone Map

For a high resolution version of this map, click here to open a PDF.

Oakland Enterprise Zone Map with Berkeley Expansion

Oakland businesses in the Zone - from large manufacturing companies to small neighborhood restaurants - can reduce their state taxes by taking advantage of Enterprise Zone benefits.Tax credits and benefits available to companies locating in enterprise zones include:

• Tax credits for sales or use taxes paid on up to $20 million of qualified machinery purchased per year;
• A hiring credit of $37,440 or more for each qualified employee hired;
• A 15-year carryover of up to 100 percent of net operating losses
• Expensing up to $40,000 of certain depreciable property;
• Lender income deductions for loans made to zone businesses;
• Preference points on state contracts; and
• Unused tax credits can be applied to future tax years, stretching out the benefit of the initial investment .

For more information and forms required for claiming the Enterprise Zone Hiring Tax Credit visit our online EZ Tax Credit Vouchering System at www.EZOakland.com or call Susana Villarreal; Enterprise Zone Coordinator at 510-238-7794; svillarreal@oaklandnet.com.

The program targets small and medium-sized manufacturing companies that are normally shut out of national credit markets and provides low-cost, long-term financing for real estate and equipment projects that retain or create employment in Oakland.

No public entity assumes any of the risk of the financing. A highly-rated bank relies on a Letter of Credit with the business for adequate collateral and repayment ability.

Oakland’s Industrial Development Bond Program is administered by the Economic Development Alliance for Business. To learn more about the bond program including the eligibility criteria and application process, visit www.eastbayeda.org or call 510.272.3885.

The City of Oakland's Retail and Entertainment Catalyst Tenant Improvement Program (TIP) provides incentives to attract key entertainment and retail businesses to targeted locations in the downtown area. While downtown retail market has improved in recent years, in many cases the available spaces, buildings, or properties require tenant improvements to meet the needs of existing retailers.

Under the TIP, additional incentives are available to cover expenses such as asbestos abatement, compliance with the Americans with Disability Act (ADA), ventilation, off-site improvements, and other tenant improvements including demolition, mechanical, plumbing, electrical and interior historic restoration. The Tenant Improvement Program can be used with the existing Downtown Façade Improvement Program. Targeted areas include Uptown, the Downtown Historic area, the Latham Square area, Old Oakland, Chinatown, and Lower Broadway.

For further information, call Redevelopment at 510.238.3699 or e-mail.