Community Improvement Plan

2026-2030 CIP Implementation Guidelines

While each of the various Community Improvement Grant/Loan Programs has their specific eligibility criteria, this page covers the general criteria that must be met for all programs.

• All proposed projects must generally achieve the goals and objectives for community improvement as identified in the CIP;
• The total of the Grants and Loans provided to an applicant shall not exceed 50% (grant and loan combined) of the final eligible project costs (pre-tax) of the project;
• The property owner must have no outstanding property tax arrears or any other municipal accounts receivable on the subject property before any new funding is issued. Applications may still be accepted and conditionally approved, provided all arrears are settled prior to CIP funding disbursement;
• The property owner shall satisfy any outstanding work orders (building, fire, zoning, etc.) issued by the Town on any properties owned within the municipality prior to funding approval;
• Proposed projects must be in accordance with all applicable District and Town policies, by- laws, provisions, standards, and guidelines (unless there is an active application for an Official Plan Amendment or Zoning By-law Amendment that is associated with the lands subject to the Financial Incentive application); and
• Property owners, and tenants with written consent from the property owner, are both eligible to apply for financial incentives unless otherwise specified by the Financial Incentive Program descriptions provided in Section 7 of the CIP Implementation Guidelines.

The following conditions and restrictions apply to all Financial Incentive Programs:

• Applications must be submitted to the Town and approved prior to commencing any project work;
• For applicable Financial Incentive Programs, the Town may fund up to 50% of eligible pre-tax project costs, to the maximum amount specified for each program;
• Applicants are responsible for paying the full project cost up front and must provide proof of payment once the work is completed. The Town’s final contribution will be calculated at 50% of the actual eligible pre-tax costs incurred, up to the approved maximum;
• Approved funding is initially based on the quotes submitted with the application; however, applicants are not required to use the vendors who provided those quotes, provided the scope of work and materials remain consistent with the original submission;
• If an applicant intends to complete the work themselves or have it completed by a relative, they may submit quotes for materials only. In these cases, applicants are not required to obtain labour quotes and must provide two (2) comparable quotes for materials;
• Projects must be completed in accordance with applicable planning approvals and required permits;
• Completed projects must be consistent with the original project description provided by the applicant and approved by the Town, supporting materials, and any applicable program agreement;
• Applications must be submitted in accordance with requirements for financial incentive applications provided in Section 5 of the CIP Implementation Guidelines;
• Property owners and each tenant can apply for up to two (2) different financial incentive programs per calendar year provided that the incentive program has been put into effect by the Town within the Guidelines at the time of application; 
•  A property owner or tenant may apply and be approved for multiple financial incentive applications for individual properties over the life of this plan;
• Tenants are not eligible to apply for a loan under any of the financial assistance programs;
• The Town is not responsible for any of the costs associated with a CIP financial incentive application;
• All sources of additional funding/incentives must be declared at the time of application submission and will be considered upon review and evaluation of the application. A section to declare additional funding sources is included on the online CIP application form;
• Stacking of grants and loans from other public or private sources is permitted, providing the total combined funding received from all sources, including this CIP program, does not exceed the total pre-tax cost of the eligible project;
• The Town of Bracebridge reserves the unrestricted right to deny or refuse any application;
• Funding approval will lapse if the Town is not notified of project completion within twelve (12) months of the date of the Notice of Decision;
• The Director of Planning and Development may grant an extension for community improvement works following receipt of a written request by the owner setting out the reasons for the extension;
• All programs included in the CIP Implementation Guidelines, unless otherwise extended by Town of Bracebridge Council, will expire on December 31, 2030; and
• The Town of Bracebridge reserves the right to discontinue these programs, adjust eligibility criteria, or amend Priority Sites at any time.

Online CIP Funding Application