REALTORS meet Carson Mayor Jim Dear to talk about economic growth, business taxes, and real estate

This morning approximately 70 REALTOR members of SBAOR met with the Mayor of Carson, Jim Dear, to talk about a wide range of topics including new developments in the city, business taxes, real estate signs, and what he sees for the future. The Mayor found an audience open to dialogue; in fact, this event was just one of several "Breakfast with the Mayor" programs that SBAOR hosts throughout the year in different South Bay cities.

 Mayor Dear began his remarks by talking about public safety. This is the fifth consecutive year that crime has dropped in Carson, a number in which he takes pride. In fact, in the nine years since he has been mayor, he said that the city has come a long way with many improvements and more to come.

Carson now offers more and better restaurants, local healthcare facilities and other community improvements. Coming soon, Carson will host the Porsche Driving Experience and a new shopping experience at the Boulevards at South Bay, which could come online in 2016.

What about my high business taxes?

Carson has some of the highest business license taxes for real estate licensees as compared to most cities in Los Angeles and Orange Counties, according to a study conducted in 2011 by Carson city staff. The Carson business tax consists of an amount charged to brokers and a much lesser amount charged to agents. The Mayor said that he would be open to reviewing that tax and asked REALTORS to weigh in on how best to proceed. Should the tax be reduced for brokers? agents? We are looking forward to continued conversations on this topic with the City of Carson in order to help create a healthy business environment in the community and preserve revenue for needed city services.

Finally, Mayor Dear also talked about real estate signs. As is the case in many South Bay cities, Carson's laws for real estate signs do not permit placement in public rights-of-way including medians, sidewalks and elsewhere. Is there a way to allow some signs to be placed in these areas during ope houses and preserve public safety? The Mayor talked about the need for home sales to occur and new families to come to the city.


SBAOR's Breakfast with the Mayor series is one of our most popular and well-attended events that we host in the South Bay. Stay tuned for more meetings with more mayors in 2014! Watch this space, check out SBAOR's Calendar of Events and be sure that you are receiving our daily emails! If you have any questions about your email or your membership, call the SBAOR Membership Department at (310)326-3010.