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Palo Alto values its vibrant business community and recognizes the contribution that businesses, from small retailers to billion-dollar corporations, make to the character and economic vitality of Palo Alto.

The City of Palo Alto offers high quality services, including:

• The Economic Development & Redevelopment Program, a single point of contact for businesses located in Palo Alto
• The Palo Alto Development Center, a “one-stop” center dedicated to streamlining the building permit process for new and expanding businesses
• High-speed Internet access through the City‘s innovative dark fiber infrastructure
• Online permit tracking
• Profitable and reliable city-owned utility system that includes water, wastewater treatment, electricity, natural gas, refuse, storm drain and fiber optics
• Nationally acclaimed police and fire departments
• Long-term sewage capacity
• No business license tax
• Do I need a business license?
  The City of Palo Alto has no Business License requirements for most businesses located in or contracted to do business in the city.   A one time Certificate of Use and Occupancy is required for all new businesses and change of tenants in Palo Alto.
• No payroll tax
• Responsive, progressive city government
• Proximity to a critical core of high-tech businesses and services

An unequalled location:

• Known as the “Birthplace of Silicon Valley,” Palo Alto is nationally recognized as a leader in cutting-edge technology
• Home to Stanford University, Hewlett- Packard, Facebook, New York Stock Exchange, Xerox Palo Alto Research Center, Sun Microsystems, The Wall Street Journal, Roche Bioscience, Genencor and other major employers
• Located between San Jose to the south and San Francisco to the north
• A highly trained, educated and world- renowned workforce known for innovation
• An excellent public school system
• Proximity to three international airports
• Home of world-class venture capital firms
• Major retail and commercial centers, including the famous Stanford Shopping Center and University Avenue
• Excellent mean household income and other demographics for retailers
• Exceptional medical facilities, including Stanford Medical Center and Palo Alto Medical Foundation
• Restaurant “superstars” such as Evvia, and Il Fornaio
  

For further information, please contact:

Susan Barnes
Economic Resources/Redevelopment Program Manager
250 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301
P.O. Box 10250, Palo Alto, CA 94303
Phone: 650-329-2604
Fax: 650-329-2154