Through the 2024 Mayor's Budget, a one-time fund of $100,000 has been established to support the business community in addressing the remediation of graffiti and vandalism acts to properties. This grant provides businesses with funds for eligible commercial or industrial property graffiti and vandalism repairs, or to implement eligible preventative measures.
The grant program offers two (2) types of rebates - 1. Reparative and 2. Preventative. A property owner or business owner can apply to one or both programs. Each municipal address is only able to apply for each grant one time for the life of the grant program. Reparative and Preventative Rebate applications are retroactive to January 1, 2024, accepted year-round, and will be reviewed on a first come, first serve basis until the fund is fully exhausted.
1. Reparative Rebate Grant:
- Provides immediate relief to offset eligible reparative costs in respect of damage to eligible commercial and industrial property due to graffiti or vandalism on or after January 1, 2024. Grants under this program may be provided up to 50% of the reparative costs and insurance deductibles, to a maximum of a one-time $2,000 per municipal street address, storefront or commercial/industrial unit.
| Examples of accepted reparative work: |
- Costs of repairing or replacing vandalized property not covered by insurance, including windows and doors, locks, graffiti removal, associated installation fees, and other exterior damage to the property;
- Insurance deductibles to cover the cost of vandalized property, including windows and doors, locks, graffiti removal and other damage to the property;
- Any additional graffiti and/or vandalism-related costs to the property as may be approved by the Application Review Team.
- Examples associated with theft of, or damaged inventory, supplies, equipment, and personal belongings are out of scope and do not qualify as eligible reparative expenses.
- Note: All Designated Heritage Properties are required to abide by the City’s Property Standards By-Law that establishes minimum standards for maintenance and repair, and any altercations made to the property.
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2. Preventative Rebate Grant:
- Provides funding for eligible proactive/preventative measures to mitigate damage to commercial property due to potential graffiti or vandalism on or after January 1, 2024. Grants under this program may be provided up to 50% of the preventative costs, to a maximum of a one-time $5,000 per eligible municipal street address, storefront or commercial/industrial unit.
| Examples of accepted preventative work: |
- anti-graffiti film, paints, and or coatings;
- shatterproof glass or protective films;
- lock enhancements;
- impact protection attachment systems for windows;
- exterior lighting enhancement;
- cameras and recording/monitoring equipment;
- alarm and monitoring systems;
- installation fees associated with approved preventative updates;
- physical security audit of the exterior of the building; and,
- other.
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| Examples of unaccepted preventative work: |
- cosmetic property enhancements;
- in-store equipment/furniture;
- items for non-business locations such as residential apartment, patio, garage, shed, etc.;
- internal labour costs; and,
- alterations to Designated Heritage Properties that are not approved by City Council via the City’s Property Standards By-Law.
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Application
Prior to the completion of the application form, applicants are strongly encouraged to review the program eligibility criteria below and consult with staff from Business and Economic Development Services. Early consultation can result in the identification of matters that will significantly assist in the processing of the application.
Apply online
* Note: Digital application forms are encouraged, but physical forms can be requested via [email protected] or Service Oshawa at 50 Centre St. S.
Eligibility Criteria and Evaluation
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Eligibility Criteria
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To be considered eligible for either rebate, a business or property owner must:
- Have an exterior entrance (accessible directly from an outside area such as sidewalk, street or parking area), which serves as the primary access point for customers and clients;
- Submit request for projects to the front or side(s) of the property which are visible from the street/sidewalk. Rear property projects will not be considered;
- Submit proof of one or more of the following: property ownership, commercial tenancy, or property tax bill;
- Be in good standing with the City of Oshawa;
- Not have received an alternative, local Community Improvement Plan grant or insurance claim to cover the same expense;
- Submit all relevant photos of the incident and completed work (Reparative Rebate only);
- Submit receipts of the completed work;
- The subject property does not have any outstanding Property Maintenance Orders issued by City of Oshawa Municipal Law Enforcement Services;
- The reparative work is not being completed in association with work that has been ordered by City of Oshawa Municipal Law Enforcement Services; and,
- Attest if they have/have not filed a police report, insurance claim, and/or by-law incident report.
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| Evaluation Criteria |
- City staff will conduct a title search of the property and review property tax records; Properties with property taxes in arrears are not eligible to receive any grant.
- All grant applications are subject to review and approval by the Application Review Team and the availability of funding.
- No grant will be issued unless eligible works are deemed complete by the Application Review Team.
- Grants will be applied retroactively to works completed prior to application submission.
- Note: The City of Oshawa reserves the right to deny or refuse any application. No application is guaranteed to be approved.
- Applications, if successful, will be screened, reviewed, approved and paid by cheque in 30 business days, provided there is limited follow up required with the applicant during the screening and review process.
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