Downtown Business Improvement District

What is a Business Improvement District? 

A Business Improvement District (BID) is an area of the City where business owners collectively agree to pay assessments to fund improvements and activities to improve and promote the business district.

In partnership with the downtown business owners, the Huntington Beach City Council formed the Huntington Beach Downtown Business Improvement District (Downtown BID) in 2004 by approving ordinance No. 3661. One goal of establishing the Downtown BID was to strengthen and improve the visitor experience in the downtown business district.

In 2008, City Council appointed a non-profit organization, the Huntington Beach Downtown Business Improvement District (HBDBID), to serve as the Downtown BID’s Advisory Board.  The HBDBID acts to administer and manage BID activities and funding outlined in the ordinance and resolutions establishing the Downtown BID.  The HBDBID consists of a volunteer Board of Directors and administrative staff to support the HBDBID goals of providing communication, marketing, and coordination of the HBDBID’s work.

How are businesses assessed?

There are approximately 250 businesses in the Downtown BID and the annual total assessment generates about $113,000.  Depending on the business type, square footage and location, assessments for individual businesses currently range from $80 to $1,404 per year.  See the map to view area boundaries and zones.

Pursuant to State law, businesses are assessed based on  the estimated benefit to the businesses and property within the BID area. The BID assessment is included with the City of Huntington Beach’s business license distribution which is billed annually.  The assessments are as follows: 

Annual Assessment Process

Each year, businesses in the Downtown BID are provided an opportunity to protest the assessment for the upcoming year. 

As part of the annual renewal process for the Downtown BID, the BID Advisory Board is required to prepare an annual report including a budget.  Among other things, the annual report includes a proposed work plan and detailed budget for the upcoming year, summary of accomplishments, and information outlining the method and basis for levying the BID assessment. 

The annual assessment process for the Downtown BID requires City actions -- including two City Council meetings, where the City Council must adopt resolutions approving the assessment for the upcoming year.  The public and individual Downtown BID members are provided notification of these meetings.

At the annual public hearing, all members of the BID and public are welcome to speak to the City Council regarding the annual BID assessment. Written protest against the benefit assessments to be levied may be mailed to the City Clerk of the City of Huntington Beach at 2000 Main Street, Huntington Beach, California 92648, or submitted to the City Clerk at or before the public hearing.  To be counted, all protests must be received by the City Clerk no later than the public hearing.

Each protest vote is weighted based on the amount of the assessment paid by the business. If a majority of the businesses protest the proposed levy of the assessment, the assessment will not be levied for that year. Please note, even if there is not an assessment for a particular year, the Downtown BID remains, and the annual process to levy the assessment will start over in the next year.   

Some services the Downtown BID provides?

Working collectively with HBDBID’s members, local community, and the City Council, the BID is dedicated to attracting more business to Downtown and enhancing the customer and visitor experience. Some valuable services that the BID provides include:

• Special events throughout the year, including Halloween and Holiday events;
• Surf City Nights and the Surf City Artisan Fair;
• Downtown porters for extra cleaning; 
• Steam cleaning of streets and sidewalks;
• Special beautification projects;
• Security ambassadors (partnering with Visit HB) who assist visitors and provide extra "eyes" for the HB Police Department; and,
• Marketing and communication for stakeholders.

How can I find out what's happening with the Downtown BID?

The Downtown BID holds regular meetings on the second Thursday of every month at 9AM, unless otherwise noted.  Agendas are posted at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting, except for Special Meetings which are posted 24 hours in advance.  Agendas and minutes are available at hbdowntown.com.  The agendas let the public know what is going to be discussed during the meeting.

How do I get involved?

Attend the HBDBID meetings!  The HBDBID welcomes the public to attend and provide comments during the meetings.  In addition, there is a process for businesses within the Downtown BID to become a member of the BID Board.  Please contact Jaime Strong, Executive Director, at (714) 536-8300, or at jaime.strong@hbdowntown.com if you are interested in being a HBDBID board member.

For more information regarding the BID day-to-day activities, you may reach Jaime Strong, Executive Director, at (714) 536-8300, or at jaime.strong@hbdowntown.com.  For more information regarding the annual renewal of the BID, you may contact Kriss Casanova, Economic Development Manager, at (714) 536-5547, or kriss.casanova@surfcity-hb.org.