The City of Vancouver offers a streamlined, 90-day combined review process that includes Land Use
review and a full Civil review. Prior to submitting the land use application and civil plans, the applicant
must arrange for pre-submission meeting where the city reviewer can go over the plans and application
submittal to make sure that all of the required information is ready for submittal. For the combined
process, full Civil plans must be submitted with the land use application at the start of the process.
A team of City staff is available to walk through commercial space with potential tenants and buyers
prior to signing a lease or purchasing property. Staff will meet with you in the new space, and provide
comments and answer questions.
The City recognizes that System’s Development Charges (SDCs) constitute a substantial upfront cost for
new business owners. In response, they created a sewer surcharge assistance program that allows the
owners of new food and beverage establishments to lease sewer capacity on a monthly basis, rather
than purchase it all up front. This greatly reduces the upfront cost of opening or remodeling this type of
business.
Redevelopment of brownfield sites enhances how existing land is used, and leads to job creation,
neighborhood revitalization, increased property values and a reduction in health risks. The City of
Vancouver works with property owners to determine their specific environmental constraints and
facilitate clean up if needed. This includes Phase I & II Environmental Assessments and detailed
remediation plans.
City of Vancouver Incentive Programs: Local, State, & Federal
The Multifamily Tax Exemption Program allows for an 8 or 12 year exemption for the approved value
of newly constructed or rehabbed residential units. The eight year exemption is available for multifamily units made available at market rates. The twelve year exemption is available if 20% or more of
the multi-family units are affordable housing for low and moderate income households. This program is
available in two specific areas: Vancouver City Center and the Fourth Plain Corridor.
In partnership with Vancouver's Downtown Association (VDA), the City of Vancouver has established a
pilot parking program for downtown hourly wage employees. Parking permits are available to
downtown hourly wage employees at a reduced rate of $30 per month. 20 parking stalls are available
at this rate.
This program provides information and options on alternative commuting options, including walking,
biking, transit, telecommuting, carpooling, vanpooling, and ride share.
Federal, state and local programs offer tax incentives that provide substantial savings to property
owners that maintain and restore historic structures. This includes a historic tax deferral program for
property owners of qualifying open space lands, and a “special valuation” program that defers taxes
on improvements to historic properties for 10 years.
This program provides web-based assessments, resources and assistance to businesses seeking a
structured approach to implementing green initiatives and measuring results. In addition, technical
assistants are available to visit businesses, perform resource audits and recommend improvements.
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City of Vancouver Incentive Programs: Local, State, & Federal
Clark Public Utilities offers incentives for approved retrofit lighting upgrades and new construction
projects that utilize energy efficient lighting options. For approved lighting retrofits, CLIP will provide a
cash incentive of up to 50% of the total project cost. For new construction, CLIP provides a cash incentive
of up to $0.18 per kWh and caps at 50% of incremental project costs.
Financial incentive available through Clark Public Utilities for replacing or installing new energy efficient
equipment, such as HVAC upgrades, welder upgrades, variable-frequency device (VFD) installations,
and/or general process energy system improvements. All new equipment must meet or exceed code
minimums/standard practice for energy efficiency.
A partnership between the City of Vancouver, the Vancouver Downtown Association, and C-Tran, this
program offers transportation information and services to downtown employees. By providing incentives
for biking, walking, using transit and carpooling, Destination Downtown helps reduce congestion and
frees up parking for downtown business patrons.
The Energy Trust of Oregon offers a custom incentive program for energy efficient equipment not listed
in the standard program. Projects eligible for custom incentives typically require an engineering study or
other technical assistance in the project design process and all projects require pre-approval from the
ETO. This program is available in SW Washington.
Customers of NW Natural in Washington can receive incentives provided by the Energy Trust of Oregon
for qualifying equipment purchases, including certain furnaces, HVAC units, radiant heaters, insulation
projects, pipe installations, water heaters, boilers, steam traps, and thermal curtains. All equipment
purchases must receive pre-approval from the ETO to qualify for incentives.
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City of Vancouver Incentive Programs: Local, State, & Federal
A sales and use tax deferral/waiver may be available for construction and equipment purchases that
support biotechnology and medical device manufacturers.
A B&O tax credit may be available to businesses conducting research and development in high
technology fields.
A sales and use tax deferral/waiver is available for construction and equipment purchases that support
high technology.
A sales and use tax deferral/waiver is available for certain construction and equipment purchases for
new and expanding businesses locating in qualifying counties.
A sales and use tax deferral/waiver is available for certain construction and equipment purchases for
new and expanding businesses locating in qualifying counties.
A B&O tax exemption may be available to manufacturers of fresh fruit and vegetables through
canning, preserving, freezing, processing, or dehydrating fresh fruits or vegetables; or selling at
wholesale fruits or vegetables manufactured by the seller when sold to purchasers who transport the
god out of Washington.
A B&O tax exemption may be available to manufacturers of seafood products; or sales by the
manufacturer of seafood products to purchasers who transport the goods out of Washington.
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City of Vancouver Incentive Programs: Local, State, & Federal
A B&O tax exemption may be available to manufacturers of dairy products, or sales by the
manufacturer of dairy products to purchasers who transport the goods out of Washington.
Wholesalers, or third-party warehousers, who own or operate warehouses, grain elevators, and
retailers who own or operate distribution centers, may qualify for remittance of state sales tax paid on
the construction of expansion of warehouse or distribution center by at least 200,000 contiguous square
feet
This incentive provides reimbursement for generating electricity on site with an anaerobic digester, wind
generator, or solar energy system.
Sales/Use tax exemptions available to businesses through the State of Washington for purchasing or
leasing a new passenger car, light duty truck, or medium duty passenger vehicle that is powered
exclusively by clean alternative fuels.
Whether you own your building or are a tenant, you typically need lighting, heating, air conditioning,
power for office equipment, and other services to stay in business. ENERGY STAR can improve your
small business’s financial performance by reducing energy waste and energy costs, while protecting the
environment.
The historically Underutilized Business Zones Program helps small businesses in urban and rural
communities gain preferential access to federal procurement opportunities. HUBZone-certified businesses
are eligible for competitive and sole source contracting opportunities and a 10% price evaluation
preference in full and open contract competition, as well as subcontracting opportunities
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City of Vancouver Incentive Programs: Local, State, & Federal
Business and occupation tax/public utility tax credit provided by the State of Washington for employers
and property managers who provide commute trip reduction incentives to or on behalf of their own or
other employees.
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