Responding to concerns about the impact of commercial vacancies and challenges faced by small and mid-sized businesses, the City of West Hollywood has expanded its Business Tax Credit Program for Commercial Lease Renewals with a modification to the City’s Municipal Code (Section 3.36.090). Formerly, this program was only applicable to large businesses.

Effective July 1, 2025, eligible businesses that extend an existing commercial lease by five or more years may now receive a business tax credit equal to the amount of business license taxes paid in the previous year. This expanded initiative is designed to help promote economic stability in West Hollywood, to further support the City’s vibrant local businesses, and to encourage long-term business retention within the community. To meet eligibility guidelines, qualifying commercial lease renewals must be signed on or after July 1, 2025 and must meet the following requirements:

• Businesses must renew or extend a commercial lease for five or more years, must be current in its business license tax payments, and must meet compliance with all City regulations and ordinance requirements;

• Applicants will need a fully executed lease agreement (or a signed affidavit confirming a five-year renewal), plus confirmation that City business license taxes have no outstanding debt owed;

• The application must be made within 60 days after the business enters into a lease renewal;

• The applicant is eligible for a credit once every five years per property and business tax credit only applies to the first year of each qualifying five-year renewal or extension.

• Home-based businesses, co-working/shared spaces, and businesses not operating in traditional commercial settings are excluded from eligibility.

To apply, visit the City of West Hollywood’s Revenue Management Division website area and download an application form (PDF) in the Business Lease Renewal Credit section: www.weho.org/city-government/city-departments/finance-and-technology-services/revenue-management/business-tax. For answers to questions about the program, please send an email message to LeaseRenewalCredit@weho.org.

For more information, please contact the City of West Hollywood’s Revenue Management Division at (323) 848-6451. For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing dial 711 or 1-800-735-2929 (TTY) or 1-800-735-2922 (voice) for California Relay Service (CRS) assistance.

For up-to-date information about City of West Hollywood news and events, follow @wehocity on social media, sign-up for news updates at www.weho.org/email, and visit the City’s calendar of meetings and events at www.weho.org/calendar. Receive text updates by texting “WeHo” to (323) 848-5000.

For reporters and members of the media seeking additional information about the City of West Hollywood, please contact the City of West Hollywood’s Public Information Officer, Sheri A. Lunn, at (323) 848-6391 or slunn@weho.org.