To apply for a CIP program, your property must be located within the uptown CIP project area.
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 this grant supports
- Before you apply
- Pick a 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 goals of the grant are to:
- improve community aesthetics
- financially support businesses
- encourage new private investment and reduce vacancies
- advance the our plan for increased 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:
- confirming your property is in the uptown CIP project area (JPG)
- reviewing the general program requirements on page 12 of the CIP Manual (PDF)
- booking a meeting with an Economic Development officer by emailing ecdev@waterloo.ca
Confirm your property's location
If you're planning on installing signage, or improving heritage or building features, you may need a permit before you apply.
Do not start any CIP project work until you have received a fully signed CIP letter of approval and have all required permits.
Sign permits:
- 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
Heritage permits:
You will need a heritage permit if have a registered Heritage property (PDF)
Building permits
If you're planning on making any building improvements, you may need a building permit before you apply.
Before you apply online, consider consulting with relevant experts (architects, engineers, electricians, accessibility, heritage, etc.) 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.)
Pick a 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 the appearance of the streetscape and buildings in the Uptown Waterloo, as well as to support conservation of heritage properties and buildings.
This grant covers 50% of eligible expenses. For a complete list, read page 18 of the CIP Manual (PDF).
Eligible expenses and funding:
- 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 for 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 | $5,000 | 5,000 |
This grant covers 50% of eligible fees and studies. For a complete list, read page 20 of the CIP Manual (PDF).
Eligible expenses:
- Committee of Adjustment applications (consent, minor variance)
- site plan application fees
- condominium conversion fees
- building permits (including façade and patio work)
Eligible study expenses:
- 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 |
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. For a complete list of what's eligible, read page 23 of the CIP Manual (PDF).
Eligible expenses:
- 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 |
The grant covers 50% of eligible sustainability upgrades. For a complete list, read page 25 of the CIP Manual (PDF).
Eligible expenses:
- energy efficient windows and doors (Energy Star certified)
- heat pump systems and 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 occupy vacant commercial spaces and reduce start up costs.
It also supports major upgrades by established businesses to improve customer experience and modernize their restaurant or retail space.
The grant covers 50% of eligible sustainability expenses. For a complete list, read page 26 of the CIP Manual (PDF).
Eligible expenses:
- 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.
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
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 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
| Project requirements (minimum 5,000 sq. ft.) | Grant amount (% of property tax increase from employment use) | Grant duration |
|---|---|---|
|
Level 1 Minimum of 10% of residential units in a residential or mixed-use building are affordable (as defined by this CIP), with no fewer than 10 affordable residential units |
50% | 6 years |
|
Level 2 Minimum of 10% of residential units in a residential or mixed-use building are affordable (as defined by this CIP), with no fewer than 10 affordable residential units, and:
|
50% | 8 years |
|
Level 3 Minimum of 10% of residential units in a residential or mixed-use building are affordable (as defined by this CIP), with no fewer than 10 affordable residential units, and:
|
50% | 10 years |
Original table
| 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:
|
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:
|
50% | 10 years |
| 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:
|
90% | eight years |
|
Level 3 - building floor area for office employment has a minimum floor space ratio 1.0 with:
|
100% | 10 years |
The CIP application period runs from May 1, 2026 to October 31, 2026.
All project work described in your application must be completed within this timeframe.
If your project is delayed and won’t be completed as planned, you must notify staff by emailing cip@waterloo.ca. An extension may be granted.
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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