Woodland Economic Development: Build, Grow, and Scale
Welcome to the central economic engine of the City of Trees. The Woodland Chamber of Commerce, working in tandem with the City of Woodland and Yolo County, is dedicated to removing friction for businesses, advocating for smart structural growth, and positioning our region as a global leader in agricultural technology and modern industry.
Whether you are an aspiring local entrepreneur, an expanding enterprise, or an outside developer looking to invest, use this synthesized guide to navigate Woodland’s regulatory pathway, tap into funding resources, and join our thriving business ecosystem.
Launching & Navigating Your Business
Starting or expanding a physical footprint requires clear regulatory navigation. The Chamber works directly with the City of Woodland to streamline permitting, licensing, and structural compliance.
Starting a Business in Woodland
Before signing a lease or breaking ground, leverage the City’s structured step-by-step framework to ensure your business plan matches local zoning codes and safety standards.
Be sure to check out the State of California's CalGold Permit Assistance Tool at calgold.ca.gov to find the exact permits required for your industry.
Business Licenses & Fee Incentives
All entities conducting business within the city must secure and maintain an active license. Apply online using the link below.
You can also learn about the City's Development Impact Deferral Program, as well as other incentives designed to preserve your initial working capital, on the City of Woodland's website.
No-Cost Business Advising & Coaching
You do not have to navigate your financial or operational planning alone. Through the Chamber's partnership with the Sacramento Valley SBDC, you have access to free, confidential, one-on-one professional business advising, business plan coaching, and loan packaging help right at the Chamber office. Learn more about the Sacramento Valley SBDC on their website, and schedule your free appointment today using the button below.
Building Codes & Property Standards
To ensure a smooth physical launch, your commercial property must align with local municipal codes. Review the city's official Code Compliance Guidelines to keep your storefront safe and accessible. For all zoning, building permits, and planning approvals, connect directly with the city department.
Strategic Vision & Active Developments
Woodland is built on a long-term blueprint for intentional, sustainable expansion. Adopted as our community's guiding framework, the General Plan 2035 maps out a healthy, vibrant, and fiscally sound city.
- Sustainable Growth: Focuses on infill development and compact, sustainable expansion within the City's Urban Limit Line.
- Economic Corridors: Prioritizes job creation along key commercial corridors and dedicated employment centers.
- Global Tech Leader: Positions Woodland as a global agricultural technology and food production hub, utilizing partnerships with UC Davis.
- Connected Infrastructure: Promotes a seamless network of trails, parks, and pathways to keep our workforce and community connected.
- Read the Full General Plan 2035
- Follow zoning and development requests via the Woodland Planning Commission
Active Capital & GIS Projects Tracker
High-Profile Economic Initiatives
List of Services
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The Food FrontList Item 1
Agricultural & Food Innovation
Nestled at the epicenter of California's agricultural heartland, Woodland is a recognized hub for global food-tech, advanced crop science, and sustainable food processing. The Food Front initiative actively unites our regional farming legacy with cutting-edge supply chain and processing technologies.
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The Lab@AgStartList Item 2
Ag-Tech & Food-Tech Incubator
Located in Historic Downtown Woodland, this is the largest shared-use wet lab and food-tech incubator facility in California's Central Valley. It features premier wet labs, professional commercial kitchens, and business support programs helping agricultural and bioscience startups commercialize breakthrough research.
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Woodland Research & Technology Park (WRTP)List Item 3
350-Acre Innovation Campus
The WRTP is a premier, fully planned 350-acre mixed-use technology and research campus. Positioned as a natural extension of UC Davis' research pipeline, it is designed to host agricultural technology, life sciences, and precision manufacturing firms.
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Downtown Entertainment ZoneList Item 4
Special Event Activation
Following the passage of California Senate Bill 969, the City of Woodland established a designated Downtown Entertainment Zone (Ordinance No. 1742). This progressive policy allows licensed downtown restaurants, bars, breweries, and tasting rooms to serve alcoholic beverages in open containers for outdoor consumption within the historic core during approved special events. Operated under a strict city management plan, this initiative drives foot traffic directly to brick-and-mortar storefronts, turning special events into economic engines for local hospitality.
Incentives, Tax Credits, & Site Selection
We help local businesses secure state-level financial programs, navigate targeted federal tax breaks, and partner with regional trade organizations.
The Woodland Opportunity Zone
Opportunity Zone PortalIf you are planning to reinvest capital gains, Woodland offers designated Opportunity Zones (Census Tracts 108 and 111.02) designed to defer, reduce, or eliminate federal capital gains taxes when investing in local real estate or business ventures.
State-Level Incentives & Tax Programs
List of Incentives- Partial Sales Tax Exemption: Manufacturers and R&D firms can qualify for a state sales/use tax exemption (reducing state sales tax by 3.91% on qualifying equipment purchases).
- Agricultural Sales Tax Exemption: Ranchers and farmers can exempt the 5% state general fund portion of sales taxes on machinery and parts used primarily for agricultural production.
- Small Business Loan Guarantee Program: IBank offers specialized loan guarantees to bridge capital gaps for entrepreneurs facing systemic lending barriers.
Regional Economic & Permitting Partners
- Greater Sacramento Economic Council (GSEC): An independent regional organization that champions Yolo County as a premier location for national and international business relocation. Learn more on the GSEC Home Page.
- GO-Biz Office: Access zero-cost consulting for state-level incentives, site selection, and international trade through the California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development.
- CRA RestaurantSync Partnership: Foodservice and dining businesses in Woodland can tap into a powerful statewide coalition. Restaurant members of the Woodland Chamber of Commerce enjoy free partial membership with the California Restaurant Association (CRA) via RestaurantSync. This program empowers operators to safeguard their interests with direct legislative action alerts, and sweetens the pot with exclusive member discounts on essential resources, including workers' compensation insurance. Learn more on the RestaurantSync Portal.
Workforce Development & Talent Recruitment
A thriving economy requires a highly trained workforce. We connect our business community to regional training programs and recruiting services to build a steady pipeline of local talent.
Yolo County Workforce Innovation Board (WIB) & YoloWorks!
Our local One-Stop Career Centers assist employers in finding the right candidates at all skill levels. They provide screen testing, recruitment event hosting, subsidized employment programs, and customized rapid-response employee transition services.
- Employer Resources: Yolo County Workforce Innovation Board
- Recruitment & Hiring Services: Use YoloWorks! as your central regional platform to post local job openings, coordinate hiring events, and access free employee development resources.
- Academic Pipeline Partner: Explore specialized vocational certification, agriculture, welding, and business trade programs at Woodland Community College.