The City of St. Catharines' 2020 Community Improvement Plan (2020CIP) offers property owners financial incentives to help offset a portion of project costs incurred for redevelopment projects, brownfield remediation, building façade improvements, and accessory dwelling units. If your project qualifies for funding, it will be paid after the project has been completed.
Apply for an incentive program
There are five financial incentive programs as part of the 2020CIP. Review each of the programs and learn how to apply, review the eligibility process and application deadlines.
Tax Increment Finance Program |
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The Tax Increment Finance Program (TIF) provides financial incentives to offset project costs for redevelopment projects. This incentive is given as an annual property tax rebate of 45 per cent of the increase of the City's portion of property taxes. It is provided for a period of up to 10 years after the project is completed. Apply for the TIFPlease complete the Tax Increment Finance Program Application and submit it by email or address it to Planning Services and deliver it via the James Street drop box at City Hall located at 50 Church St. Applications can also be submitted via mail to: City of St. Catharines Planning Services, City Hall We accept applications prior to the below intake dates. Please submit before these deadlines: Apr. 25, 2025 Application guidelinesView the Tax Increment Finance Program Guidelines before you apply to learn more about the eligibility requirements and complete program details. View the most recent Affordable Rental Dwelling Unit (ARDU) Threshold for projects with a minimum of five ARDU's. |
Brownfield Tax Increment Finance Program |
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The Brownfield Tax Increment Finance Program (BTIF) provides financial incentives to offset project costs for redevelopment projects. This incentive is given as an annual property tax rebate of 80 per cent of the increase of the City's portion of property taxes. It is provided for a period of up to 10 years after the project is completed. Apply for the BTIFPlease complete the Brownfield Tax Increment Finance Program Application and submit it by email or address it to Planning Services and deliver it via the James Street drop box at City Hall located at 50 Church St. Applications can also be submitted via mail to: City of St. Catharines Planning Services, City Hall We accept applications prior to the below intake dates. Please submit before these deadlines: Apr. 25, 2025 Application guidelinesView the Brownfield Tax Increment Finance Program Guidelines before you apply to learn more about the eligibility requirements and complete program details. View the most recent Affordable Rental Dwelling Unit (ARDU) Threshold for projects with a minimum of five ARDU's. |
Brownfield Tax Assistance Program |
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The Brownfield Tax Assistance Program (BTA) provides financial incentives to offset the cost of environmental site remediation on previously developed properties that are now underutilized, derelict or vacant. This includes up to 100 per cent rebate on the City portion of property taxes for up to three years. Apply for the BTAPlease complete the Brownfield Tax Assistance Program Application and submit it by email or address it to Planning Services and deliver it via the James Street drop box at City Hall located at 50 Church St. Applications can also be submitted via mail to: City of St. Catharines Planning Services, City Hall We will assess all applications on a first-come, first served basis. Application guidelinesView the Brownfield Tax Assistance Program Guidelines for more information about eligibility and complete program details. |
Façade Improvement Program |
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The Façade Improvement Program (FIP) grant is up to 50 per cent of the project costs to a maximum of $10,000 per building façade. Apply for the FIPPlease complete the Façade Improvement Program Application and submit it by email or address it to Planning Services and deliver it via the James Street drop box at City Hall located at 50 Church St. Applications can also be submitted via mail to: City of St. Catharines Planning Services, City Hall We will assess all applications on a first-come, first served basis. Potential applicants are encouraged to reach out prior to the application process. Application guidelinesView the Façade Improvement Program Guidelines for full details about eligibility requirements, project evaluation and the application process. |
Accessory Dwelling Unit Program |
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The Accessory Dwelling Unit Program (ADU) grant is up to 70 per cent of eligible project costs to a maximum of $40,000, for the construction of interior accessory dwelling unit(s), and to a maximum of $80,000, for the construction of exterior accessory dwelling unit(s), subject to available funding through the Housing Accelerator Fund. Only on properties in compliance with the location and regulatory use permissions established in the Official Plan and Zoning By-law for ADUs are eligible for the ADU grant. Apply for the ADUMay 6, 2025, Update: Due to the popularity of the program, funding has been depleted for 2025. Please check back in February 2026 for information about additional funding.We will continue to accept and assess applications submitted to the program on a first-come, first served basis. However, there is no funding currently allocated to this program. Please complete the Accessory Dwelling Unit Program Application and address it to Planning Services or deliver it via the James Street drop box at City Hall located at 50 Church St. Applications can also be submitted via mail to: City of St. Catharines Planning Services, City Hall Application guidelinesView the Accessory Dwelling Unit Program Guidelines for full details about eligibility and the application process. |
Community Improvement Plan Updates
On Aug. 26, 2024, administrative amendments to the 2015 Community Improvement Plan (2015CIP) and 2020 Community Improvement Plan (2020CIP) were approved to allow for extensions of project completion deadlines and to enable the City to revoke projects that have not entered into an agreement. The amendment also increased the grant value for the Accessory Dwelling Unit program. The Notice of Decision is linked here.
On Sept. 23, 2024, the second administrative amendment to the 2015CIP was approved. The amendment changes when remediation and / or redevelopment costs become eligible, permits TIF grant assignment, establishes a maximum five per cent variance limit for the post-development property tax assessment, and clarifies retroactive eligibility for legal fees, consulting fees, financing costs, Phase II Environmental Site Assessment, and Site-Specific Risk Assessment. The Notice of Decision is linked here.
The Council-initiated amendment to the 2020CIP was approved
On Apr. 29, 2025, the amendment to the 2020CIP was approved to address Council directive to allow the property owner of 142 Queenston St. to incur retroactive project costs prior to entering into a CIP agreement. The Notice of Decision is linked here.