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The Business Improvement District (BID)

The BID is a volunteer-led committee promoting the economic growth and resilience of businesses through marketing and beautification while maintaining the unique and authentic character of the Business Improvement District.

OverviewClick to learn more

The BID is a volunteer-led committee promoting the economic growth and resilience of businesses through marketing and beautification while maintaining the unique and authentic character of the Business Improvement District.

In November of 2000 the Petaluma City Council adopted Ordinance 2104 N.C.S, establishing the Downtown Petaluma Business Improvement District (BID). The Board of Directors, who also serve as the Petaluma Downtown Association (PDA) Board, must annually present a budget for City Council approval prior to the beginning of the fiscal year, January 1st.

Formed as a special assessment district, the BID funds services, activities and programs above and beyond services provided by the City, for the purpose of improving the common areas and strengthening businesses within the district.

In January, all licensed businesses within the defined district pay an annual assessment fee in order to equitably distribute the cost and benefits of the agreed-upon services. This is separate from the Petaluma Downtown Association Membership Fees.

The BID invoice is based and calculated on your zone location, type of business and amount of employees. To perform this calculation the City of Petaluma used from the State Employment Development Department (EDD) regarding the number of employees you reported to them. Please be aware that it is very important to check that you are correctly billed for the right amount of employees. Employees are calculated on full time hours (part time employees should be added together to get a full time equivalent). For questions regarding zoning or employee amounts please contact Carol Mungle at Mungle & Associates - 707.241.0195 - PetalumaBID@CMungle.com.

As part of the annual renewal process of the BID we are required to prepare an annual report. The annual report includes proposed work plan and detailed budget for the upcoming year. You can find copies of the annual BID reports below. The Petaluma Downtown Association oversees the administration of the BID but the BID Advisory Committee prioritizes projects and budgets. See the below tab to learn more about BID meetings and how to get involved.

How Your Business is AssessedClick to learn more

BID MAP

Business Improvement District (BID) assessments are levied on the basis of the estimated benefit to the businesses and property within the BID area. A BID may assess property according to zones of benefit, in relation to the benefit being received by businesses within each zone. The BID assessment is billed annually. See the BID map above to view area boundaries and zones. The assessment schedule is as follows:

TYPE OF BUSINESS ZONE A ZONE B ZONE C

Restaurants and Retailers	$150 (1-3 emp.) $250 (4-6 emp.) $350 (7+ emp.)	$100 $166 $232	$50 $83 $116
Antique Collectives	$150 (1-3 dlr.) $250 (4-6 dlr.) $350 (7+ dlr.)	$100 $166 $232	$50 $83 $116
Service Businesses	$100 (1-3 emp./ op.) $200 (4-6 emp./ op.) $300 (7+ emp./ op.)	$75 $150 $225	$50 $100 $150
Professional Businesses	$125	$82	$41
Financial Institutions	$500	$500	$500
Lodging	$150 (1-10 rooms) $250 (11-25 rooms) $350 (26+ rooms)	$150 $250 $350	$150 $250 $350

Important Note: Retail, restaurant, and service businesses are charged based on size which is determined by number of employees (either full-time or the equivalent made up of multiples of part-time employees). Antique Collectives are charged based on the number of business licenses active within one location.

BUSINESS TYPE DEFINITIONS

Retail, Restaurant, and Antique Collectives: Businesses that buy and resell goods or comestibles. Examples are clothing stores, shoe stores, office supplies and antiques shops as well as businesses that sell prepared foods and drinks.

Service Businesses: Businesses that sell services. Examples are beauty and barbershops, repair shops, most automotive-orientated businesses, entertainment businesses such as theaters, etc.

Lodging: Includes renting rooms by the day or week to community visitors.

Professional Businesses: Includes: Architects, Engineers, Attorneys, Dentists, Doctors, Accountants, Optometrists, Realtors, Insurance Offices, Mortgage Brokers, and most other businesses that require advanced and /or specialized licenses and/or advanced academic degrees.

Financial Institutions: Includes Banking, Savings, Loan, and Credit Unions.

BID Meeting DocumentsClick to learn more

How can you get involved?

All BID members are invited to attend the monthly BID Advisory Committee meetings. The next meeting will be held Tuesday, February 20, 2024. Meetings are held every third Tuesday of the month. Location and time will be emailed to the BID email list at the beginning of the month. If you are not receiving BID emails, please contact admin@petalumadowntown.com.