A web banner with an aerial photo of a small town's downtown next to a blue section with the words Community Improvement Plan

The Town of Orangeville’s Community Improvement Plan (CIP) offers eight financial programs to help property owners enhance the appearance of their lands and buildings and find improved ways to use their spaces. These programs apply to property owners in specific areas of Orangeville, identified as Community Improvement Plan Areas (CIPA).

The CIP aims to help offset costs for projects that upgrade sites, revive old buildings, reuse spaces, or clean up polluted areas.

A picture of a small town's downtown area, with shops lining the sidewalk and pretty trees.What is a CIP?

A CIP is a tool municipalities use to boost private sector investment for community growth, improvement, and revitalization. When a CIP is in place, it can offer grants, loans, and other programs to support development and renovation projects, enhancing parts of the community.

Property owners, tenants, and developers can use the financial incentives to meet various goals, like upgrading and refreshing building exteriors and redeveloping properties. Be sure to check your eligibility for each of the incentive programs before applying.

What properties are included in the CIPAs?

CIPAs are split into three specific qualifying areas—a municipal-wide CIPA, Priority Zone 1, and Priority Zone 2.

An interactive map is included below to assist with identifying which zone your property falls within.

Priority Zone 1: Broadway–First Street includes commercial blocks with varying zoning designations. It runs through the areas including downtown Orangeville, east Broadway (Third Street to Highway 10), west Broadway (Faulkner Street to Ada Street), and the First Street corridor (north of Broadway to south of Hansen Boulevard).

Priority Zone 2: The Centennial Road Employment Area runs along Centennial Road and is primarily zoned General Industrial (M1).

CIP programs

The eight programs and their availability are broken down based on CIPA zones below.

Find full details about the programs, eligibility, and implementation specifics on page 31 of our Community Improvement Plan (CIP) document. You can download it by clicking here.

If you have further questions about the programs or eligibility requirements, please email our Planning division at [email protected].

A shop owner arranges plants in a window

Priority Zone 1 programs

Comprehensive façade improvement grant 

Eligible applicants: Property owners, tenants, developers

Potential funding: Up to $25,000 

Program options

Apply for one or any combination of:

Façades

Front façade only: Grant of up to 50 per cent of eligible costs (maximum of $12,500 per property).

Front and side and/or rear façade: Grant of up to 50 per cent of eligible improvement costs (maximum of $25,000 per property). 

The minimum grant is $2,000 per property. Project applications including matching assistance of less than $2,000 will not be considered.

Signage

Signage grants are only available as part of a larger façade improvement application. The funding limits above are inclusive of both façade and signage components.

  • improvements must follow the current sign bylaw at the time of approval.
  • grant of up to 50 per cent of eligible costs (maximum of $2,500 per property).

Minimum signage grant is $1,000 per property. Project applications including matching assistance of less than $1,000 will not be considered.

Heritage top-up:

All buildings listed in the Town’s municipal heritage register may be eligible for an additional $5,000 in matching grant assistance. This includes buildings that are:

  • designated under Part IV or Part V of the Heritage Act.
  • non-designated buildings listed in the Town’s municipal heritage register.
Eligible costs 

Costs associated with following may be eligible:

  • materials
  • labour
  • equipment
  • external building works professional fees (specific to façade improvement)
  • signage development as applicable

Major building improvement and conversion grant 

Eligible applicants: Property owners, developers

Potential funding: Up to $35,000 

Funding information

The grant may be applied to part of the project value, up to 50 per cent of eligible costs.

  • this grant is a secured loan, forgivable over 5 years at an annual rate of 20 per cent.
  • minimum grant of $10,000 per property.
Eligible costs

Please review the full list of eligible costs included in the CIP document. Some exclusions apply.

An example of eligible costs include:

  • building, fire, and other code compliance upgrades
  • major retrofits for retail and office space, residential, or lease space.
  • interior structure work and upgrades

Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) grant

Eligible applicants: Property owners, developers

Potential funding: Up to $20,000 

*Please note, although the ESA grant is available town-wide, preference is given to Zone 1 applicants. 

Funding information  

Funding may be granted for eligible studies. Amounts vary between an ESA and other regulatory studies. 

  • up to $20,000 or 50 per cent of the ESA cost, whichever is less.
  • grants may apply for up to two studies per project.
  • a maximum of $35,000 is available per project for the CIP duration. 
Eligible studies and costs

Through this grant, the applicant may be eligible for reimbursement related to certain approved studies. These studies must be part of the regulatory process. Examples of qualifying studies include:

  • Phase II Environmental Site Assessment (ESA)
  • remediation action plans
  • risk assessments
  • other regulatory submissions required for a Record of Site Condition (RSC) acknowledged by the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) 

Accessibility improvement grant

Eligible applicants: Property owners, developers

Potential funding: Up to $5,000 

Funding information 

This information is specific to funding for applicants located in Zone 1.

  • 50 per cent of eligible costs (maximum of $5,000 per property).
  • minimum grant of $1,000 
Eligible costs 

An example of costs eligible for the grant in Zone 1 include:

  • accessible parking signage
  • power assist door operators
  • building entrance renovations
  • door upgrades
  • access ramp design and installation
  • elevating device installation
  • accessible washrooms
  • interior renovations for accessibility in:
    • work areas
    • offices
    • kitchens
    • other spaces as appropriate

Zone 1 applicants may apply for this grant in addition to the major building improvement and conversion grant. 

Industrial and commercial development charge deferral

Eligible applicants: Property owners, developers

Potential funding: Deferral of 50 per cent of development charges 

Funding information

Funding under this program only applies to development charges imposed by the Town of Orangeville. 

  • deferral of 50 per cent of applicable development charges levied for a maximum of 18 months.
  • maximum of $15,000
Eligible costs

Please review the CIP document for additional information on development charge deferrals.

A picture of a building with multiple businesses

Priority Zone 2 programs

Accessibility improvement grant 

Eligible applicants: Property owners, development

Potential funding: Up to $5,000

Funding information 

This information is specific to funding for applicants located in Zone 2.

  • 50 per cent of eligible costs (maximum of $5,000 per property).
  • minimum grant of $1,000.
Eligible costs

An example of costs eligible for the grant in Zone 2 include:

  • accessible parking signage
  • power assist door operators
  • building entrance renovations
  • door upgrades
  • access ramp design and installation
  • elevating device installation
  • accessible washrooms
  • interior renovations for accessibility in:
  • work areas
  • offices
  • kitchens
  • other spaces as appropriate 

Landscape improvement grant

Eligible applicants: Property owners, tenants

Potential funding: Up to $20,000

Funding information 

Landscape improvement projects may receive a grant of:

  • Up to 50 per cent of eligible costs (maximum of $20,000 per property).
  • minimum grant per property is $5,000
  • applications for assistance of less than $2,000 will not be considered.
Eligible costs 

Eligible costs can range from minor enhancements to existing landscape to more substantial projects such as improved:

  • property appearance
  • pedestrian access
  • hardscaping and site entrance features

Other costs may also be included in the application, such as costs associated with:

  • labour
  • materials
  • equipment
  • some professional fees

Tax Increment Equivalent Grant (TIEG) 
Eligible applicants: Property owners, developers
Funding information 

The amount of funding available under this program is determined by the zoning of the land your property is on. 

This grant is based on the agreed base assessment and has a maximum duration of 10 years. Please refer to the CIP document for a full breakdown.
Eligible costs 

Eligible costs in this category include various works related to new office construction, such as:

  • site-development and infrastructure work (demolition and off-site disposal, water services, and more)
  • major building rehabilitation or renovation
  • new construction

For a full list of eligible costs, including costs specific to Contaminated Land designations, please refer to the program details in the CIP document. 

Planning fees and building permit grant 

Eligible applicants: Property owners, developers

Potential funding: Up to $35,000

Funding information 

The building fees permit grant program is to assist new builds or major renovations with funding towards applicable fees. 

  •  equivalent of 50 per cent of the fees (maximum of $10,000 per property).
  • funding is determined based on the Town's set fee schedule at the time of the application. 

The planning fee grant provides funding towards the combination of all planning fees on a project. If approved, the applicant may receive the following:

  • equivalent of 50 per cent of combined planning fees (maximum of $5,000 per property).
  • funding is set by the Town's applicable itemized fee schedule at the time of the application.
Eligible costs

Planning fees are limited to those included in the Town's current fees and charges bylaw at the time of application, such as:

  • Zoning bylaw amendments
  • site plan approvals
  • minor variances

Building permit fees are applicable to any development in designated Employment lands in the Building Code Act.

Industrial and commercial development charge deferral 

Eligible applicants: Property owners, developers

Potential funding: Deferral of 50 per cent of development charges

Funding information 

Funding under this program only applies to development charges imposed by the Town of Orangeville.

  • deferral of 50 per cent of applicable development charges levied for a maximum of 18 months.
  • maximum of $15,000. 
Eligible costs 
Please review the CIP for additional information on development charge deferrals. 

A picture of a small town's downtown in the summer, with a clock tower in a median between the east and westbound traffic.

 Town-wide programs

Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) grant

Eligible applicants: Property owners, developers

Potential funding: Up to $20,000

*Please note, although the ESA grant is available town-wide, preference is given to Zone 1 applicants.

Funding information 

Funding may be granted for eligible studies. Amounts vary between an ESA and other regulatory studies.

  • up to $20,000 or 50 per cent of the ESA cost, whichever is less.
  • grants may apply for up to two studies per project.
  • a maximum of $35,000 is available per project for the CIP duration. 
Eligible studies and costs 

Through this grant, the applicant may be eligible for reimbursement related to certain approved studies. These studies must be part of the regulatory process. Examples of qualifying studies include:

  • Phase II Environmental Site Assessment (ESA)
  • remediation action plans
  • risk assessments
  • other regulatory submissions required for a Record of Site Condition (RSC) acknowledged by the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) 

Accessibility improvement grant 

Eligible applicants: Property owners, developers (commercial areas)

Potential funding: Up to $1,000

Funding information 

For town-wide applicants, the grant is limited to accessible parking signage.

  • up to 50 per cent of eligible costs (maximum of $1,000 per property).
  • the minimum grant under this program is $500. 
Eligible costs 
Under this grant, town-wide eligible costs are limited to the fabrication and installation of legislatively approved parking signage. 

Tax Increment Equivalent Grant (TIEG) 
Eligible applicants: Property owners, developers 
Funding information 

The amount of funding available under this program is determined by the zoning of the land your property is on.

This grant is based on the agreed base assessment and has a maximum duration of 10 years. Please refer to the CIP document for a full breakdown. 
Eligible costs 

Eligible costs in this category include various works related to new office construction, such as:

  • site-development and infrastructure work (demolition and off-site disposal, water services, and more)
  • major building rehabilitation or renovation
  • new construction

For a full list of eligible costs, including costs specific to Contaminated Land designations, please refer to the program details in the CIP document. 

Planning fees and building permit grant cost 

Eligible applicants: Property owners, developers (industrial zoning)

Potential funding: Up to $35,000 

Funding information 

The building fees permit grant program is to assist new builds or major renovations with funding towards applicable fees.

  • equivalent of 50 per cent of the fees (maximum of $10,000 per property).
  • funding is determined based on the Town's set fee schedule at the time of the application.

The planning fee grant provides funding towards the combination of all planning fees on a project. If approved, the applicant may receive the following:

  • equivalent of 50 per cent of combined planning fees (maximum of $5,000 per property).
  • funding is set by the Town's applicable itemized fee schedule at the time of the application. 
Eligible costs 

Planning fees are limited to those included in the Town's current fees and charges bylaw at the time of application, such as:

  • Zoning bylaw amendments
  • site plan approvals
  • minor variances

Building permit fees are applicable to any development in designated Employment Lands in the Building Code Act. 

Ready to apply for one of the CIP programs?

To begin the process, you need to follow two short steps:

  • download and fill out a CIP program application by clicking the button below.
  • submit your completed form to the Planning division at [email protected].

Apply now

Once staff have reviewed your project application, they will contact you to confirm details, timelines or any additional requirements. 

If you have any questions along the process, please reach out to the Planning division at the email address above.

What should I consider when applying for a CIP program?

When applying for a CIP program, we encourage you to refer to the Community Improvement Plan Design Guidelines.  These guidelines provide a practical and flexible tool for assessing new development and redevelopment in the town.

This tool should be used to ensure projects eligible for a CIP program align with the Town's overall design vision.