The Fee and Study Grant Program is currently accepting applications to support planning and design costs for eligible building improvement projects.
The focus areas and objectives of this program include energy efficiency improvements, accessibility enhancements, heritage restoration, sustainable and climate-resilient design, commercial building improvements, feasibility studies, architectural drawings, site-specific planning, and support for approved Community Improvement Plan (CIP) projects including façade improvements, interior upgrades, and vacancy-related redevelopment.
The program is designed to support renovations and small expansions by reducing the financial burden of City application and permit fees as well as the cost of professional studies and design work required for project planning and approval. It is specifically intended to encourage well-planned, high-quality development that aligns with City standards and contributes to broader improvement initiatives.
Funding under this program covers up to 50 percent of eligible City application or permit fees and associated studies or drawings, with a maximum contribution of $5,000 per property or project. Eligible costs must directly support a larger approved improvement project under an existing Community Improvement Plan program.
To qualify, projects must be located within commercial, mixed-use, or heritage buildings and must be linked to approved improvement initiatives such as façade upgrades, accessibility enhancements, sustainability and climate resilience projects, or interior and vacancy-related improvements. All supporting studies and drawings must align with final approved project scopes and comply with City standards and guidelines.
The program requires that all documentation be submitted electronically for review and recordkeeping. It does not support ongoing operational or licensing costs such as business licenses or other regulatory fees unrelated to project development.
The objective of the program is to encourage high-quality, energy-efficient, and accessible redevelopment of commercial and heritage properties by reducing upfront planning and application costs.
For more information, visit City of Waterloo.
