To apply for a CIP program, your property must be located within the uptown CIP project area.
The project area covers uptown Waterloo, including the central business area and surrounding streets near King Street, Erb Street and Bridgeport Road.
Apply for a Community Improvement Grant
If you own or lease a property in Uptown Waterloo, you may be eligible for a grant to support renovation projects through the Community Improvement Plan (CIP).
On this page:
- What this grant supports
- Before you apply
- Choose the right CIP Grant
- Apply online
- Major Activity Grant
- Contact us
What this grant supports
The Community Improvement Plan (CIP) helps make uptown a more vibrant and welcoming place. Funding helps support commercial improvements, heritage preservation, environmental sustainability and community accessibility.
The grant aims to:
- improve community aesthetics
- support businesses financially
- encourage new private investment and reduce vacancies
- support intensification, affordability, employment growth and community building
Before you apply
Check your property's location, confirm if you need permits and prepare your documents before you apply for a CIP Grant.
Start by:
- confirm your property is in the uptown CIP project area
- review the general program requirements in the CIP Manual – page 12 (PDF).
- book a meeting with an Economic Development officer – email ecdev@waterloo.ca
Confirm your property's location
If you plan to install signage or improve heritage or building features, you may need a permit before you apply.
Do not start any CIP project work until you receive a fully signed CIP letter of approval and have all required permits.
Sign permits
If your project includes installing a permanent business sign such as a storefront, wall or freestanding sign, you will need a sign permit.
Heritage permits
If your property is listed in the Heritage Property Register (PDF), you will need a heritage permit.
Building permits
If you plan to make building improvements, you may need a building permit before you apply.
Before you apply, consider consulting relevant experts (architects, engineers, electricians, accessibility or heritage specialists) to help prepare your documents.
Include in your application:
- a letter of owner authorization if you don't own the property
- if applying as a tenant, a copy of dated lease for the rental property
- copies of any ongoing permit applications or issued permits
- studies or audits (energy, structural, accessibility, heritage, fire, etc.)
- cost estimates or quotes from contractors or consultants
- concept drawings, plans and elevations
- photos of existing property conditions – applicable to the project’s scope of work (façades, interiors, etc.)
Choose the right CIP Grant
We offer different CIP Grants based on your project. You may apply for more than one grant, up to a combined maximum of $25,000 per property.
This does not include the Major Activity Grant, which cannot be combined with any other grant.
Commercial and Heritage Façade Improvement Grant
This grant helps commercial or mixed-use commercial property owners and tenants improve streetscape and building appearance. It also supports the conservation of heritage properties and buildings.
Commercial and Heritage Façade Improvement Grant
This grant covers 50% of eligible expenses.
Find a complete list of eligible expenses in the CIP Manual – page 18 (PDF).
Some eligible expenses include:
- repair or replacement of outside materials, doors, windows and features
- storefront improvements (windows, awnings, entrances)
- permanent landscaping – up to 15% of the grant
- signage that follows the sign bylaw – up to $3,500
- safety and security upgrades (lighting or stronger doors and windows)
- permanent patio structures (no furniture or temporary items)
- other approved exterior improvements, including upgrades to eligible heritage properties
| Grant type | Regular property | Corner property |
|---|---|---|
| Grant from the city | Up to $10,000 | Up to $15,000 |
| Additional grant for designated heritage properties | Up to $5,000 | Up to $5,000 |
Fee and Study Grant
This grant helps cover costs for permits, studies or other application fees required under the Planning Act or Building Code. You can also use funding for fees related to fire compliance, heritage requirements, or to meet sustainability goals.
This grant only applies to CIP projects.
Fee and Study Grant
This grant covers 50% of eligible fees and studies.
Find a complete list of eligible expenses in the CIP Manual – page 20 (PDF).
Some eligible expenses include:
- Committee of Adjustment applications (consent, minor variance)
- site plan application fees
- condominium conversion fees
- building permits (including façade and patio work)
Some eligible study expenses include:
Must be completed by a qualified professional and approved by the city:
- urban design and architectural drawings
- engineering or structural assessments
- heritage impact assessments
- energy or greenhouse gas studies
- LEED or zero carbon certification fees
- accessibility audits
- fire safety plan approval
- safety audits (CPTED)
Grant funding:
| Grant type | Regular property |
|---|---|
| Grant from the city | Up to $5,000 per project |
Accessibility Enhancement Grant
The grant covers 75% of eligible costs for existing businesses or building upgrades. In some cases, you may get up to 100% if you explain why in your application.
Find a complete list of eligible expenses in the CIP Manual – page 22 (PDF).
Some eligible expenses include:
- accessible entrances (ramps, wider doors, automatic openers)
- accessibility upgrades (handrails, guards, doorbells, visibility strips)
- non slip surfaces at entrances and walkways
- accessible bathroom upgrades (existing bathrooms only)
- elevators or lifts
- anti glare window treatments
- braille, tactile and wayfinding signage
- other approved accessibility improvements
| Grant type | Regular property |
|---|---|
| Grant from the city | Up to $15,000 per project |
Sustainability and Climate Resilience Grant
The grant covers 50% of eligible sustainability upgrades.
Find a complete list of eligible expenses in the CIP Manual – page 24 (PDF).
Some eligible expenses include:
- energy efficient windows and doors (Energy Star certified)
- installation of heat pumps (excluding ground-source)
- insulation upgrades
- improvements to heritage windows for better energy performance
- air sealing and heat recovery systems
- electrical upgrades to support energy efficient systems
- on demand electric water heaters
- smart thermostats and energy management systems
- on site renewable energy (for example, solar panels)
- reflective roofing to reduce heat and improve efficiency
- EV chargers in public parking areas
- secure bicycle parking
- other approved environmental or sustainability improvements
| Grant type | Regular property |
|---|---|
| Grant from the city | Up to $10,000 |
Commercial Interior and Vacancy Improvement Grant
This grant offsets interior construction and renovation costs to help new businesses reduce start up costs to occupy vacant spaces.
It also supports major upgrades by established businesses to improve customer experience and modernize their restaurant or retail space.
Commercial Interior and Vacancy Improvement Grant
The grant covers 50% of eligible expenses.
Find a complete list of eligible expenses in the CIP Manual – on page 26 (PDF).
Some eligible expenses include:
- building code or structural upgrades needed to use the space
- electrical and plumbing upgrades (including panels, wiring, and washrooms)
- new interior walls
- interior structural repairs and finishes (flooring, ceilings)
- built in features (counters, shelving, display units)
- commercial kitchen upgrades (cabinets, ventilation hoods)
- fire safety upgrades (sprinklers, emergency lighting, fire separation)
- demolition, if part of a larger project and under $2,500
- other approved permanent interior improvements
| Grant type | Regular property |
|---|---|
| Grant from the city | Up to $10,000 |
Apply online
The CIP application period runs from May 1 to October 31, 2026.
All work in your application must:
- be eligible under the program you apply for
- be completed within this timeframe
To receive funding, your project must match the approved scope of work and include only eligible expenses.
After you apply:
- staff will review your application and contact you with next steps
- if approved, you will receive funding 2 to 3 weeks after your project is complete and you submit proof of project completion
If your project is delayed:
- email cip@waterloo.ca with details as soon as possible
- you may be granted a one-time extension to complete your project by August 31, 2027
Major Activity Grant
This grant is for large re-urbanization projects over 5,000 sq. ft. that create new floor space for affordable housing and/or non-residential uses with an office employment component.
It provides a tax increment grant equal to a portion or the full amount of the estimated property tax increase after the property is redeveloped and reassessed.
Note for applicants
Additional incentives may be available for developments that include heritage conservation and/or sustainable building design and construction.
| Project requirements (minimum 5,000 sq. ft.) |
Grant amount (Percentage of Municipal tax increment associated with all residential units included in the building)
|
Grant duration |
|---|---|---|
|
Level 1 |
50% | 6 years |
|
Level 2
|
50% | 8 years |
|
Level 3
|
50% | 10 years |
| Project requirements (minimum 5,000 sq. ft.) | Grant amount (Percentage of Municipal tax increment associated with employment uses) | Grant duration |
|---|---|---|
|
Level 1 |
80% | 6 years |
|
Level 2
|
90% | 8 years |
|
Level 3
|
100% | 10 years |
Apply for the Major Activity Grant
Contact us
If you have questions about any of the following, contact:
- CIP applications: cip@waterloo.ca
- heritage permits: heritage@waterloo.ca
- sign permits : zoning@waterloo.ca
- building permits: building@waterloo.ca
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