Perris Council unanimously readopts residential tax-abatement program; staff urges more outreach

The Perris City Council on Jan. 12 unanimously approved a resolution restating the city's intent to participate in a residential tax abatement program tied to the 5-and-5 housing infill redevelopment plan.

City staff, speaking for Stephanie, told the council the program has been maintained and amended since an original 2013 ordinance and must be readopted every two years to keep the city eligible. "Single family homes are eligible for tax abatements of 100% for 5 years," staff read into the record, adding that duplexes receive 100% abatements for three years and multifamily units receive deescalating abatements over three years at 100%, 75% and 50%.

Staff also noted the reinvestment zone designations and recent administrative updates, including a redesignation effective Jan. 27, 2025, and a most recent guidelines amendment on May 12, 2025. The council held the required public hearing; no members of the public spoke.

During council discussion, an unidentified council member praised the program and recommended more aggressive marketing so first-time builders and potential beneficiaries learn about the "starter family" single-family abatement opportunity. The council then voted to adopt the resolution; the motion was moved on the record by Miss Norman and carried 7-0.

The resolution restates the city's intent to enter tax-abatement agreements under the program area and readopts the accompanying guidelines and criteria. The city must readopt these guidelines every two years to preserve eligibility under state law, staff said.

The immediate outcome is administrative: the council readopted the program guidelines and authorized staff to proceed with abatement agreements under the established criteria. The city did not announce specific outreach actions at the meeting.