Neighborhood Empowerment Zone (NEZ) Program

The Neighborhood Empowerment Zone is a segment of a neighborhood, designated as such by the City of Fort Worth eligibility criteria, that can receive incentives to promote affordable housing and economic development, and improve the quality of social services, education, or public safety to residents of the NEZ.

The NEZ program is the vehicle by which incentives like building permit fee waivers, release of city liens, and municipal property tax abatements can be granted to homeowners, investor-owners and developers proposing new construction projects or rehabilitation projects that are located within the NEZ area.

The Planning and Development Department works closely with the Housing Department to coordinate the NEZ Program. For additional information on the NEZ Program and policies, including district maps, tax abatement contact information, visit the Housing Department Web site.

Printable Brochures (pdf format):

Forms, Applications, New Construction Project Policy

Budget Form for Homeowners or Investor-Owner Rehab (Should be submitted with Form A or B and with zoning or building permit application)
Project Certification Application - Form "A" for Homeowners
Project Certification Application - Form "B" for Investors-Owners (Single Family Only)
Project Certification Application - Form "C" for Development Projects
NEZ Policy for New Construction Projects
NEZ Waiver Form

How can I apply for NEZ incentives?

Apply at the Permitting Center Check-in located in City Hall at the south-end lower level. When you apply for a building permit, and if required, a zoning change, staff will assess your project at that time to determine if it is NEZ eligible. If it meets all criteria, you will receive notice that your project has been certified to receive NEZ incentives. It will take approximately 5 to 7 days to know if you are certified to receive NEZ incentives.

What are some of the criteria for becoming certified to receive NEZ incentives?

The property must be located in a NEZ area.
The proposed rehab must be 30% or more than the TAD improvement value of the property.
The property must be zoned properly.
The property is a permanent structure, and not a mobile structure.
The owner/developer is not delinquent in paying taxes and does not have any City liens against any property they own.
The owner/developer has not been subject to a Building Standards Commissions’ order of Demolition where their property was demolished within the last five (5) years.
The property has received City Council support if it is a liquor store or package store.

Are there any fees associated with participating in this program?

Yes. There is an application fee of $25 for all Basic Incentives excluding tax abatements. The application for residential tax abatements is $100. The application fee for multi-family, commercial, industrial, community facilities and mixed-use development projects is one-half of one percent (0.5 percent) of the proposed Project’s Capital Investment, with a $200 minimum not to exceed $2,000. If you are approved for tax abatements, City staff will work with you to finalize the tax abatement agreement with the City.

What if I qualify but do not wish to participate in the program?

The owner of the property will be required to sign a NEZ Disclaimer acknowledging that they were informed about the program but declined to participate. Proof of ownership and a copy of the warranty deed will be required.

Contact Information: Planning and Development Department
Customer Service Section
Telephone: 817-392-2222
Email: devnezprogram@fortworthgov.org
or Janie Morales, Customer Service Manager, 817-392-7826

Permit Fee Schedules

Applications
Building
Electrical and Sign
Mechanical
Plumbing
Building Fee Estimator
Electrical, mechanical and plumbing fees include a Fee Estimation worksheet. You can estimate your building permit fees by selecting the Building Fee Estimator link. You will need to know the occupancy code for commercial construction permit fee estimates. For residential, occupancy code R is for the dwelling structure and occupancy code U is for garage, carport or other structure.