Downtown Tomorrow CIP Façade Improvement Grant
Get reimbursed for up to 50% of eligible façade costs, capped at $5,000 per property (plus up to $2,000 for heritage buildings) in Orillia. This is a matching grant, so you pay first and get paid back after inspection. Verified against the official source on July 2, 2026; applications are open.
How we verify funding records →
“Any eligible property owner or tenant within the Downtown Tomorrow Community Improvement Planning project area may apply for the DTCIP Programs, except the Residential Grant Program which is eligible only to property owners.”
Before you spend a dollar
Get the city's approval BEFORE you start work or buy anything — starting early is the #1 way owners lose this funding.
At a glance
Subject to program rules, available funding, and approval. Confirm current details with the official program administrator.
Not sure if you qualify?
Get a free, 2-minute read on whether this program fits your business. No obligation.
Check your fit →Is this for you?
- You operate a business in Orillia's designated downtown improvement zone
- You are planning exterior façade or storefront upgrades — masonry, windows, painting, lighting or accessibility work
- You can secure approval before starting any work or purchasing materials
Probably not the right fit if
- You want funding for interior renovations or work unrelated to the building's exterior façade
- You have already started or completed the renovation work
- Your property is outside the specific Orillia CIP zone
How much you'd realistically get
50% of eligible costs, to a maximum of $5,000 per property (plus up to an additional $2,000 per property for buildings designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act)
What may be supported
- Repair/replacement of storefront, office, institutional or residential façades (doors, windows)
- Masonry repair and repointing
- Barrier-free accessibility entrance modifications
- Façade painting, cleaning, treatments and refinishing
- Exterior and storefront display lighting
- Landscaping (max 15% of grant) and architectural/design fees (max 10% of grant)
How applying works
Effort: mediumA city application with quotes/photos; approval before you start, then claim after completion.
- 01Confirm your property is in the program area and funds are available
- 02Get the city's written pre-approval BEFORE starting
- 03Complete the approved work
- 04Submit your costs for reimbursement
Documents commonly required
- Quotes/estimates for the work
- Photos of the current storefront
- Proof of property ownership or owner's consent
How BBN Labs helps
- BBN designs your storefront refresh and coordinates qualified partners for doors, windows, and masonry repairs to boost curb appeal.
- BBN plans barrier-free entrances and exterior lighting upgrades with trusted trades to make your store safer and brighter.
- BBN guides you through the application and deadline steps so you don't lose the funding.
What to know before you count on it
- Cost-share: you pay for the work first, then you're reimbursed (about half) after it's done and inspected.
- Apply and get approved BEFORE you start any work or buy anything — starting early disqualifies most of these.
- Area-gated to Orillia's designated CIP/BIA zone — confirm your address qualifies before you spend.
- Heritage-designated buildings (Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act) can claim up to an extra $2,000 on top of the base $5,000 — it's a bonus, not a requirement.
- Municipal funding is limited each year — confirm money is still available.
What are your odds?
Area-gated and funding-limited, but a straightforward fit if your Orillia address qualifies and you apply before starting.
What you can combine it with
May combine with provincial/federal programs for the same project — we'll check what stacks.
Get alerted when this changes
Programs open and close, budgets run out, rules change. We send one short email when something changes that matters for this program.
Record last updated July 3, 2026; last verified July 2, 2026 against the official source. Source: official program page.