COMMERCIAL FAÇADE PROGRAM
The Commercial Façade Improvement Program provides funding to commercial and private property owners to redesign, renovate or restore commercial or industrial building façades. The eligible improvements include, but are not limited to, brick cleaning, restoration, wheelchair accessibility, doors, signage, windows, lighting and masonry.
Applications for 2023 program funding are now being accepted. The deadline for submissions is Thursday, May 4, 2023
Application: Click here
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
Improving the appearance of your building’s façade shows that you care about your property. In addition, your neighborhood streetscape is improved. This provides a more welcoming environment to work, shop and live.
HOW IS FUNDING CALCULATED?
Half of the costs of eligible improvements is covered up to a maximum $12,500 grant for $25,000 worth of improvements. The minimum grant is $2,500 for $5,000 worth of improvements.
Additional funding of half of the costs of accessibility AODA upgrade improvements up to a maximum $2,500 grant for $5,000 worth of improvements.
For multiunit commercial properties, $2,500 per additional unit up to five units totaling a maximum bonus grant of $12,500.
HOW PROGRAM GRANT FUNDING WORKS?
This program is available to owners and tenants of buildings used for commercial uses at street level, of multiunit strip plazas, and of industrial properties located in the City’s Business Improvement Areas (BIAs). Under the program the City funding is equal to one-half of the costs of approved improvements to a maximum grant of $12,500 for a minimum of $25,000 of improvements. A minimum of three eligible improvements must be made. In addition, for multiunit strip plazas under single ownership or adjoining buildings on separate properties under one ownership, the applicant will be eligible for an additional matching grant of up to $2,500 per unit or building, improved to a maximum grant of $25,000 including the $12,500 “base” grant. A minimum of three eligible improvements must be made to each unit or building. For accessibility improvements such as the installation of ramps, handrails and other exterior accessibility devices which meet AODA design standards, the applicant will be eligible for up to $2,500 in bonus matching grant funding in addition to the $12,500 “base” grant for façade and property improvements. Applications for work totaling less than $5,000 are ineligible. For assistance in calculating the maximum potential funding for your project, please call 416-392-1005. The façade improvement and property improvement grant program is not a maintenance program to fix broken windows or signs, remove or clean bird droppings from signs and window ledges, or replace chipped driveway pavers etc. The intent of the program is to change the appearance of the front of the commercial or industrial building (or the side of a building facing a public road on a corner property) and the appearance of commercial properties, multiunit strip plazas and industrial properties.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
- You must be the property owner or have the permission of the property owner
- Your building must be located in a Business Improvement Area (BIA) that has been in existence for five (5) or more years
- You must not owe outstanding taxes to the City
- You must not start your improvement project before the funding application is approved
- You must have not received the maximum façade improvement funding for your property in previous years.
HOW DO I APPLY?
Applicant contacts the City’s BIA Office to determine eligibility.
Application: Click here
Phone: 416-392-1005
E-mail: Michael.Saunders@toronto.ca
- Applicant completes and submits application form
- City reviews the application
- City approves or declines the application
- City issues funding cheques to successful applicants upon completion of the agreed-upon work