Apply for a Community Improvement Grant

Eligible property owners and tenants in the uptown area can receive grants for various renovation projects as part of the Community Improvement Plan (CIP).

On this page:

What is the Community Improvement Plan (CIP)?
Before you apply
Apply for an Uptown Façade Improvement Grant
Apply for a Major Activity Grant
Contact us

What is the Community Improvement Plan (CIP)?

The Community Improvement Plan (CIP) helps make uptown a more vibrant and welcoming place. Through financial support, it encourages investment and improves safety and accessibility.

The goals of the grant are to:

improve community aesthetics
financially support businesses
encourage new investment
ensure safety and security
reduce vacancies

Before you apply

Step 1 - Determine if your property is in the uptown CIP project area

Determine if your property is in the uptown CIP project area using the map below:

Step 2 - Determine if you need a signage permit

Planning to install or update signage? You may need a sign permit before you apply for a CIP grant.

before you start, review the Sign bylaw
use the interactive map to find your zone
refer to Section 8 of the Sign bylaw to learn what the zones mean
each sign must have its own permit, and requires a fee subject to change annually

Once a Signage permit is acquired, applicants can proceed with applying for their CIP grant.

Apply for a signage permit

Step 3 - Determine if you need a heritage permit

Planning to make exterior façade improvements to your heritage property or unsure if your property has a heritage designation? You may need a Heritage permit to qualify for a CIP grant.

Prior to applying for a CIP grant, applicants are encouraged to contact Heritage Staff at heritage@waterloo.ca to discuss their project’s scope of work and to inquire about the Heritage Permit process.

before you start, determine if your work will be on a Heritage property (PDF)
this service is free, no fees will be applied

Once a heritage permit is acquired, applicants can proceed with applying for their CIP grant.

Apply for a Heritage permit

If you require assistance with the application form or have questions about the programs, book a pre-application meeting with an economic development officer by phoning 519-747-8530 or emailing cip@waterloo.ca.

Note to all 2025 CIP applicants:

The 2025 CIP application intake will begin May 1, 2025 and conclude October 31, 2025

This means:

all project work outlined in the application’s scope of work must be completed within this timeframe
if you face delays impacting the expected timeline for completion, you must disclose these details by emailing cip@waterloo.ca
extensions may be granted, until August 31st, 2026 to complete their project
no additional extensions will be granted afterwards

Apply for an Uptown Façade Improvement Grant

This grant helps improve the look of buildings and streetscapes in uptown Waterloo. It also supports the conservation of heritage features.

Grant type	Regular property	Corner property
Matching grant from city	Up to $10,000	Up to $15,000
Additional grant for designated heritage properties	$5,000	$5,000

Apply online

The CIP application period will open on May 1, 2025 and close on October 31, 2025

All project work described in your application must be finished within this timeframe. If your project is delayed and won’t be completed as planned, you must notify staff by emailing cip@waterloo.ca. In these cases, an extension may be granted.

Apply for an Uptown Façade Improvement Grant

If you need an alternative way to apply for this grant, please phone 519-747-8530 or email cip@waterloo.ca

After you apply for an Uptown Façade Improvement Grant

after the scope of work outlined in the CIP application is completed, applicants must provide the required documentation to show proof of work and project completion
staff will review all required documentation provided and issue payment for a complete application within 2 to 3 weeks

Major Activity Grant

This grant is for:

large re-urbanization projects over 5,000 sqft. that create new floor space for affordable housing units and/or non-residential uses that include an office employment component
provide a tax increment grant equal to a portion or full amount of the estimated property tax increase after the property is redeveloped and reassessed

Note for applicants:

additional incentives will be provided for developments that include heritage conservation and/or sustainable building design and construction

Affordable housing uses

As-built project achieves a minimum of 5,000 sq. ft. requirements:	Amount of grant as percent of municipal tax increment associated with employment use	Duration of grant
Level 1 - minimum of 10% of residential units provided in a residential or mixed-use building are affordable as defined by this CIP, with no fewer than 10 affordable residential units	50%	six years
Level 2 - minimum of 10% of residential units provided in a residential or mixed-use building are affordable as defined by this CIP, with no fewer than 10 affordable residential units and: designated heritage resource achieves LEED certification or other sustainable design/construction standards recognized by the city	50%	eight years
Level 3 - minimum of 10% of residential units provided in a residential or mixed-use building are affordable as defined by this CIP, with no fewer than 10 affordable residential units and: designated heritage resource achieves LEED certification or other sustainable design/construction standards recognized by the city	50%	10 years

Office employment uses

As-built project achieves a minimum of 5,000 sq. ft. requirements:	Amount of grant as percent of municipal tax increment associated with employment use	Duration of grant
Level 1 - building floor area for office employment has a minimum floor space ratio 1.0	80%	six years
Level 2 - building floor area for office employment has a minimum floor space ratio 1.0 with: designated heritage resource achieves LEED certification or other sustainable design/construction standards recognized by the city	90%	eight years
Level 3 - building floor area for office employment has a minimum floor space ratio 1.0 with: designated heritage resource achieves LEED certification or other sustainable design/construction standards recognized by the city	100%	10 years

Apply online

The CIP application period will open on May 1, 2025 and close on October 31, 2025

All project work described in your application must be finished within this timeframe. If your project is delayed and won’t be completed as planned, you must notify staff by emailing cip@waterloo.ca. In these cases, an extension may be granted.

Apply for a Major Activity Grant

If you need an alternative way to apply for this grant, please phone 519-747-8530 or email cip@waterloo.ca