Purpose: A cost-share grant intended to offset the cost of environmental studies on brownfield properties to improve understanding of site conditions and remediation needs and support future redevelopment.
Where it applies: View the map
Community Improvement Plan Incentives
This page provides an overview of current and upcoming CIP programs, eligibility requirements, and links to application forms, guides, and mapping.
What is a Community Improvement Plan?
A Community Improvement Plan (CIP) is a tool municipalities can use to support revitalization and redevelopment efforts in specific areas by offering programs such as grants, loans, and other incentives to encourage property improvements and community enhancements.
Under Section 28 of the Planning Act, the City can designate certain areas for community improvement. With an improved CIP in place, property owners in these areas may be eligible for grants or loans to help cover the costs of improvements to their properties.
New Affordable & Attainable Housing Community Improvement Plan
In progress
The City is currently developing a new Community Improvement Plan focused on Attainable and Affordable Housing. Join the Conversation and stay updated on Let's Talk.
New Niagara Falls Community Improvement Plan
Now available
The new Niagara Falls Community Improvement Plan was approved by Council on January 20, 2026, with the new financial incentive programs in effect as of February 13, 2026.
The new CIP establishes a framework to enable the provision of grants and other financial incentives to support community revitalization objectives, including:
- Environmental Sustainability – Encouraging brownfield remediation, low impact development measures, and adaptive reuse of existing buildings
- Urban Intensification – Supporting redevelopment of underutilized lands, promoting mixed-use and higher-density development, and enhancing walkable, transit-oriented communities
- Economic Prosperity Generation – Stimulating investment in employment areas, business growth, and tourism development to strengthen the local economy.
For background information on the project development, please visit Let's Talk.
Financial Incentive Programs
Please note: Detailed program guides and application forms for the new CIP incentive programs will be available shortly. If you have questions or would like to apply in the meantime, please contact City staff for more information.
How to apply:
- Review the Program Guide to confirm eligibility
- Contact the Planning Department staff early to discuss your project at 905-356-7521 ext. 4330 or cip@niagarafalls.ca
- Submit a complete application with required studies and drawings
- Applications are reviewed and approved in accordance with the CIP and individual program guidelines
Brownfield Environmental Study Grant
Brownfield Tax Increment Grant
Purpose: A tax increment–based incentive intended to encourage the remediation and redevelopment of brownfield sites by rebating a portion of the municipal property tax increase following redevelopment.
Where it applies: View the map
Urban Infill Tax Increment Grant
Purpose: A tax increment–based incentive intended to support redevelopment and intensification of underutilized sites in key areas of the City, particularly mid- to high-rise mixed-use development that advances growth objectives.
Where it applies: View the map
Employment Generator Tax Increment Grant
Purpose: A tax increment–based incentive intended to attract and retain major employers by reducing long-term municipal tax impacts associated with new or expanded employment uses.
Where it applies: View the map
Purpose: A cost-share grant intended to support physical improvements to existing buildings and properties that enhance functionality, accessibility, heritage conservation, sustainability, and overall streetscape quality.
Where it applies: View the map
Existing Community Improvement Plan programs
Sunsetting/Expiring
The City has five existing approved CIPs, which will remain in effect until March 31, 2026:
Downtown Community Improvement Plan
Downtown Community Improvement Plan
Plan and location
- Downtown Community Improvement Plan (PDF)
- Downtown Campus Business Case Study (PDF)
- View a map of the Community Improvement plan areas
Application guides
Commercial Building and Facade Improvement Grant
To promote the restoration and improvement of the facades of commercial and mixed-use buildings, and promote the maintenance and physical improvement of existing buildings and properties. The Niagara Region is no longer participating in this program. Please contact us to confirm the total amount of grants you may be eligible for regarding your particular application. All incentives are subject to available funding.
Revitalization Grant
To provide financial incentives to help offset the increased property taxes that result from the rehabilitation of downtown residential and commercial properties.
Residential Loan
To provide a 0% interest loan to promote the conversion of non-residential buildings to residential use; upgrade of existing residential buildings to meet Building Code, Fire Code and Property Standards By-law; and construction of residential units on vacant properties.
Note: The Niagara Region is no longer participating in this program. Please contact us to confirm the total amount of grants you may be eligible for regarding your particular application. All incentives are subject to available funding.
Historic Drummondville Community Improvement Plan
Historic Drummondville Community Improvement Plan
This Plan encourages redevelopment and private sector investment in the creation of new residential units and the rehabilitation of commercial buildings.
Plan and location
- Historic Drummondville Community Improvement Plan (PDF)
- Historic Drummondville Conceptual Urban Design Guidelines (PDF)
- View a map of the Community Improvement plan areas
Application guides
Commercial Building and Facade Improvement Grant
To promote the restoration and improvement of the facades of commercial and mixed-use buildings, and promote the maintenance and physical improvement of existing buildings and properties.
Note: The Niagara Region is no longer participating in this program. Please contact us to confirm the total amount of grants you may be eligible for regarding your particular application. All incentives are subject to available funding.
Revitalization Grant
To provide a financial incentive to help offset the increased property taxes resulting from rehabilitating residential and commercial properties.
Residential Loan
To provide a 0% interest loan to promote the conversion of non-residential buildings to residential use; upgrade of existing residential buildings to meet Building Code, Fire Code and Property Standards By-law; and construction of residential units on vacant properties.
Note: The Niagara Region is no longer participating in this program. Please contact us to confirm the total amount of grants you may be eligible for regarding your particular application. All incentives are subject to available funding.
Lundy's Lane Community Improvement Plan
Lundy's Lane Community Improvement Plan
This Plan encourages redevelopment and private sector investment in the creation of new residential units and the rehabilitation of commercial buildings.
- Lundy's Lane Community Improvement Plan (PDF)
- Lundy's Lane Urban Design Guidelines (PDF)
- View a map of the Community Improvement plan areas
Application Guides
Commercial Facade, Landscaping and Property Improvement Grant
To promote building rehabilitation and facade improvement of existing commercial and mixed-use (commercial/residential) buildings.
Note: The Niagara Region is no longer participating in this program. Please contact us to confirm the total amount of grants you may be eligible for regarding your particular application. All incentives are subject to available funding.
Adaptive Reuse and Motel Revitalization Grant Program
To provide a financial incentive through a grant to promote the conversion of existing vacant spaces or existing uses to new, more viable commercial uses.
Tax Increment Based Grant
To provide a financial incentive to help offset the increased property taxes that result from rehabilitating, redeveloping or developing buildings and properties.
City Wide Brownfield Community Improvement Plan
City Wide Brownfield Community Improvement Plan
This CIP supports studying and cleaning up old industrial properties that might be contaminated to prepare them for redevelopment.
Plan and location
- Brownfield Community Improvement Plan (PDF)
- View a map of Niagara Falls Brownfield CIP Project Areas
Application Guides
Environmental Study Grant
A grant to help offset the cost of conducting a Phase II Environmental Assessment, Remedial Work Plan, and/or Risk Assessments/Risk Management Plans.
Please note: the Niagara Region is no longer participating in this program. Please contact us to confirm the total amount of grants you may be eligible for regarding your particular application. All incentives are subject to available funding.
Rehabilitation Grant
To provide a financial incentive in the form of a freeze of property taxes for up to five years to help offset the costs of remediation, and to provide a financial incentive in the form of an annual grant for up to 10 years after the Tax Assistance Program ends to offset the costs of remediation and redevelopment.
Niagara Gateway Economic Zone Community Improvement Plan
Niagara Gateway Economic Zone Community Improvement Plan
The purpose of the Gateway CIP is to stimulate new, sustainable investment by existing businesses and new businesses on employment lands in the Gateway Economic Zone by providing incentives in partnership with the Niagara Region.
Plan and location
Visit Niagara Economic Development for more information, including the evaluation process.
Application guides
Tax Increment Based Grant Program and Development Charge Grant Application
A tax increment-based grant following completion of an eligible project involving development, redevelopment, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation or adaptive reuse of buildings and properties on employment lands to offset the increased taxes driven by higher property values resulting from the project.
Municipal Employment Incentive Program
It offers further incentives at the Municipal level for development that qualifies under the Tax Increment Based Grant Program, including planning application Fee waivers, building permit fee rebates, and study grants.
Complete applications must be submitted prior to March 31, 2026, and must be approved by March 31, 2027, to be eligible under the existing programs.
Note: Projects approved prior to expiry will continue to be administered in accordance with their approval agreements. All incentives are subject to available funding.
Development Charge exemptions for CIP
The City previously exempted Residential Development Charges for projects located within the existing CIP boundary areas and offered additional exemptions under Policy #700.41. These programs expire on March 31, 2026.
Visit the Development Charges webpage for more information.
Updated Development Charge exemptions aligned with the new Community Improvement Plan are being considered. For updates, please visit Let's Talk.
Resources
Contact Us
City of Niagara Falls
Planning and Building
4343 Morrison Street
P.O. Box 1023
Niagara Falls, Ontario L2E 6Z9
905-356-7521 ext. 4330
cip@niagarafalls.ca
or
Business Development
905-356-7521 ext. 5000
bdd@niagarafalls.ca