Community Improvement Plan (CIP)
Eligible property owners and tenants in the uptown area can receive grants for various renovation projects.
Contact the Economic Development Office at 519-465-5501 or cip@waterloo.ca to learn more.
On this page
Uptown façade improvement grant
The purpose of the grant is to:
- to improve appearance of streetscape and buildings, and conserve heritage features
- city and UpTown BIA grants are matched to funding from the applicant
- heritage designation grant does not require matching funds
| 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 |
Application process
- Book a pre-application meeting with economic development officer by phone at 519-747-8530 or email to cip@waterloo.ca
- Following the meeting, download and complete an application form (PDF).
- Submit your application form by the specified deadline to cip@waterloo.ca (a scanned copy of the application form is accepted).
If you need support applying via email, contact 519-747-8530 or cip@waterloo.ca
After work is complete you are required to provide documentation. Staff will review it and issue payment for complete submissions within two to three weeks.
Year-round grants
- intended for large re-urbanization projects over 5,000 sq. ft. that create new floor space for affordable housing units and/or non-residential uses that include an office employment component
- provides a tax increment grant equal to a portion or full amount of the estimated property tax increase after the property is redeveloped and reassessed
- additional incentives will be provided for developments that include heritage conservation and/or sustainable building design and construction
Major activity grant matrix
| 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 |
Affordable housing uses matrix
| 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 |
Parking exemptions program
- program will facilitate small scale non-residential building conversions and expansions
- emphasis on office expansions or changes in use where the developer is unable to provide the on-site parking as required by the city's zoning bylaw
Application process
To begin the application process, book a pre-application meeting with economic development officer by phone at 519-465-5501 or email to cip@waterloo.ca.