Submit Applications for Facade Rehabilitation Grant Program (US)

The City of Raleigh’s Facade Rehabilitation Grant program promotes growth and development by supporting small business owners in transforming their commercial buildings into vibrant, attractive spaces.

Funding Information

• Grants are awarded on a quarterly basis.
• Grant amounts up to $5,000 outside Priority Areas for Economic Development.
• Grant amounts up to $10,000 inside Priority Areas for Economic Development.
• Grant funds are allocated $50,000 per year.
• Facade Rehabilitation Grant may be used in conjunction with a City of Raleigh Building Up-fit Grant.
• Grant requires a 1:1 match by the tenant or property owner. Approved applicants must spend an amount on improvements, renovations, and/or additions at least equal to the amount of grant funds provided.

Qualified Improvements

• Qualified improvements include:
  • Removal of false fronts (such as aluminum panels)
  • Repair or replacement of windows, doors and cornices
  • Repair or replacement of facade materials
  • Exterior painting (when associated with a larger rehabilitation effort)
  • Construction costs
  • Artist fees for qualified art or murals
  • Labor costs and equipment rental for art or mural
  • Construction and material costs for art or mural
  • Exterior Painting and lighting costs for art or mural

Disqualifying Factors

• Improvements, renovations, and/or additions to the commercial property shall not qualify for a grant if the applicant or property owner has applied for or been approved for building permits or began construction on the project prior to the award of the grant. Other factors include: delinquency in the payment of any taxes, assessments, fees, or other debts owed to the city.

Eligibility Criteria

• Criteria for qualifying projects:
  • The property must be located within the City of Raleigh.
  • The property must be subject to City of Raleigh ad valorem taxes.
  • The applicant must be the occupant of the improved property.
  • If the applicant is a tenant, they must have a fully signed lease and written approval from the property owner supporting the improvements to be made and agree to the terms and conditions of the grant award. A lease term of a minimum of three (3) years is required.
  • Funding must support capital investment (expenditures for improvements, renovations and/or additions to the property) and cannot be used for personal property located upon or used in connection with the property.
  • The improvements, renovations and/or additions must have been undertaken after appropriate permits from the City of Raleigh have been obtained.
  •  Improvements made must remain with the property for a minimum of three (3) years following the disbursement of grant funds.
  • If the funded improvements are removed from the property or damaged and not repaired within the three-year occupancy period, funds shall be repaid to the city as follows:
    •  100 percent of grant paid if within the first year following grant payment.
    • 66.6 percent of grant paid if within the second year following grant payment.
    • 33.3 percent of grant paid if within the third year following grant payment.
  • If the grantee fails to pay taxes owed to the City of Raleigh during the threeyear occupancy period and continues to fail to pay such taxes within 10 business days of receiving notice of tax delinquency from the city, the entire grant amount must be repaid to the city.
  • Murals must have an impact on the property’s facade. Mural’s covering facade’s in good condition are ineligible.
  • The tenant’s use must be an office, personal service, retailer, eating establishment, or industrial use space (as defined in the Unified Development Ordinance).
  • Rehabilitation projects for loading docks are eligible.
  • Program excludes bars, night clubs, taverns, and lounges.
  • Facade projects must be visible from public street.
  • Space or building must currently exist.

For more information, visit City of Raleigh.