Commercial Space Renovation Grant Program

The Commercial Space Renovation Grant Program offers matching funding of 50 per cent to commercial business operators and owners of storefronts that are vacant. Occupied commercial properties are also eligible under the specific criteria outlined in the eligibility section. This program is funded by the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).

Objective

Small retail businesses are essential to the vitality and success of Toronto’s main streets and neighbourhoods. They are also key drivers of economic prosperity for residents, families, communities and the city as a whole. The Commercial Space Renovation Grant Program was developed in support of the recovery and long-term success of local small businesses. 

Funding Available

The program offers matching funding equal to 50 per cent of the cost of interior improvements to properties that are commercial at street level. 

• The maximum base grant under the program is $20,000 (based on a minimum of $40,000 of improvements). 
• Further funding of up to $4,000, for a total maximum grant of $24,000, is available for upgrades to meet AODA accessibility standards.
• Additional funding of up to $20,000 ($4,000 per additional unit, for up to five units) is available for multi-unit properties. 

Eligibility

The Commercial Space Renovation Grant Program is available to owners and tenants of vacant properties. It is also available to owners and tenants of occupied commercial properties, where those properties have been, or are likely to be, impacted by major Transit Expansion construction projects, or have previously received support through the Canada Emergency Rent Supplement (CERS) program. 

The program is only available to properties within Toronto that are used for commercial purposes at street level or have direct access to a street from another floor. A minimum of three eligible improvements must be made. 

Applicants with properties in areas impacted by major transit construction projects are encouraged to apply. Tenants who apply for the program must have written permission from the property owner to make any improvements to the property and obtain grant funding for that purpose. 

Eligible Projects

The following improvements would be considered eligible for a Commercial Space Renovation Grant: 

• Structural upgrades, electrical work and interior lighting, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning), plumbing and plumbing fixtures, interior painting, flooring/ceiling/wall finishes, permanently affixed counters, merchandise displays and accessibility improvements. 
• Design fees may be covered to a maximum of $2,000 per application as part of the base grant (including architectural, engineering, certified AODA specialist and Building Code Identification Number (BCIN) registered designer fees). 

Accessibility Improvements

Applicants are encouraged to make use of the Commercial Space Renovation Grant Program to make interior spaces more accessible. Examples include interior ramps or accessible public washrooms. 

Interior accessibility improvements that meet Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) design standards are eligible for additional grant funding of up to $4,000, increasing the maximum base grant from $20,000 to $24,000. 

Ineligible Projects

• Multiple applications from business chains or any franchise organization is permitted (only one application is eligible) 
• Applications for work totaling less than $5,000 are ineligible. 
• The program is not to cover maintenance costs of existing interior property elements (e.g., to fix broken windows, clean clogged plumbing or replace ceiling panels). 
• Places of worship, institutional buildings, not-for-profit commercial buildings and residential buildings are ineligible for the program. 
• Moveable furniture, window coverings, equipment, appliances, computers, IT expenses or elements such as tiling outside of the front door, are ineligible. 

How to Apply

Applications open on June 1 at 9 a.m. and close on June 5 at noon. Applications are reviewed and assessed in the order in which they are received. A waitlist will be developed should further funding be made available in 2026. 

As part of the application, applicants are asked to provide the following information: 

• Applicant name 
• Organization legal name 
• Business operating name, if different 
• Type of organization, e.g. incorporation, sole proprietorship, etc. 
• Mailing addresses 
• Phone number and email address 
• CRA business number 
• Ownership representation, e.g. visible minorities, newcomers to Canada, persons with disabilities, no special group, etc. 
• Property address 
• Assessment roll number 
• Property ownership information and address, if applicant is a tenant 
• No-objection letter from property owner, if applicant is a tenant 
• Confirm if the property is on the City’s heritage register. Search the register online or call 416-397-9839. If yes, you must contact the City’s Heritage Planning staff to obtain a review of the proposed scope of work prior to obtaining quotes from contractors. 
• Confirm if the property satisfies one of the following three eligibility criteria: vacant unit, impacted by a major transit construction project or property owner/tenant received a rent rebate (CERS) subsidy from CRA during COVID-19 pandemic 
• Detailed description of proposed improvements, which must include a minimum of three inside renovations (no windows, doors or outside improvements), and include a photograph or drawing 
• Description of whether improvements meet the accessibility upgrades in the AODA design standards 
• Five photographs of the interior commercial space in current condition 
• Two dated estimates for proposed renovations improvements from two different contractors on their letterheads. 

For questions about the Commercial Space Renovation Grant Program, please contact Michael Saunders at 416-392-1005 or Michael.Saunders@toronto.ca.

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