Planning and Building Permit Fees Grant Program

Type

Grant

Topic(s)

Business

Property

The Planning and Building Permit Fees Grant program is an incentive offered through the Employment Development Community Improvement Plan (CIP). Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

The program allows for the upfront waiving of Site Plan Application fees and the rebating of base Building Permit fees for qualifying employment development projects.

Applicants are encouraged to contact Invest Barrie early in the process for guidance, eligibility confirmation, and assistance completing their submission.

How the Program Works

Exemption from Site Plan Application Fees

Site plan application fees may be waived at the discretion of the Executive Director of Development Services or their designate for any development project that fits the eligibility criteria.

The waiver only applies to the City’s portion of the Application Fee and would not include fees required by other agencies (for example, conservation authorities).

Building Permit Fees Grant

Applicants are responsible for paying Building Services fees for the base building permit at the time of application. Upon completion of an eligible development and following successful occupancy clearance from Building Services, 50% of the base building permit fee will be rebated up to a maximum of $150,000 per project. Only the base building permit fee qualifies for this rebate.

Grant Agreement

If awarded a grant, an agreement between the owner (registered or assessed owners of lands/buildings) and the City may be required, which will set out the terms, duration, and default provisions of the grant provided. This may be registered on title of the subject lands at the discretion of the City.

Eligibility Requirements and Details

Please review the Employment Development CIP for full eligibility details before completing an application. Section 3.3.4 outlines the requirements for the Site Plan Fees and Building Permit Fees Grant program. Key criteria are summarized below:

Projects must be located within the City of Barrie municipal boundary as it existed on the date of passing By-Law Number 2026-018 to be eligible for financial incentives.
Project sites shall not be located on lands subject to flooding hazards, erosion hazards, including wetlands.
Projects must be employment or industrial uses including but not limited to advanced manufacturing (inclusive of priority sectors such as automotive, defense, mining, and life sciences). Residential, office, mixed-use, commercial and retail projects would not be eligible.
May be vacant land or underutilized industrial buildings.
Priority will be given to projects anticipating the creation or retention of a large number of jobs.
Priority will be given to projects anticipating the creation of a large amount of new/redeveloped gross floor area and large construction values.
Priority will be given to projects in priority sectors such as automotive, defense, mining, and life sciences.
Priority will be given to projects receiving funding through Invest Ontario, or other provincial or federal funding agencies.
Building permit grants will be issued upon first occupancy, which must occur within 24 months of the building permit being issued. To qualify for funding, the first occupant must meet the CIP’s use eligibility criteria.
Extensions of up to 12 months may be considered if construction has commenced and there is verifiable proof of future tenancy.
For multi-tenant developments, a rebate of base building permit fees for the shell structure may be provided once the first qualifying occupancy occurs. A new CIP application can be made for each tenant provided they individually meet the program’s eligibility criteria.
For renovations to existing multi-tenant buildings, if the entire building is being renovated and intended for multiple tenants, a single application may be submitted for the whole property. However, if only one unit is being renovated, that unit must independently meet the CIP eligibility requirements. The same grant disbursement timing as above would apply.

In addition, the following general eligibility requirements apply, as outlined in section 3.3.1 of the Employment Development CIP:

Project costs incurred prior to an application under this CIP may be eligible for funding provided the project has not yet been issued an Occupancy Permit or occupancy has not yet occurred and the Building Permit issuance date is January 1, 2025 or later. Eligible costs cannot exceed project development or redevelopment costs. Applicants will be required to submit overall project costs, including basic development pro forma details.
An agreement between the City and the owner (registered or assessed owners of lands/buildings) may be required, which will set out the terms, duration and default provisions of the incentive(s) to be provided. This may be registered on title of the subject lands at the discretion of the City. The City may discontinue or rescind any financial incentive where there is not compliance with an executed agreement. Non-compliance may result in cancellation of the incentive and requirement for repayment with interest.

How to Apply

Submission intake for all programs is continuous and applications are evaluated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Exemption from Site Plan Application Fees: Application must be submitted prior to Site Plan Application.
Building Permit Fees Grant: Application should be made at the time of Building Permit Application.

To accept an application as complete, you must submit or attest to the following:

Complete application form
Owner’s authorization form, if applicable
Cover letter
Site plan drawing or concept plan
Anticipated employment numbers and agreement to provide payroll information when requested as supporting documentation
Confirm if a Site Plan Control agreement has been approved, required for certain applications
Confirm an occupancy permit has not been issued
Agree to enter into a legal agreement with the City of Barrie (if you are approved for a CIP)

Submit your application

Evaluation

The Exemption from Site Plan Application Fees will be implemented at the discretion of the Executive Director of Development Services.

For the Building Permit Application Fees Grant, Invest Barrie staff aim to confirm eligibility within two weeks of receiving a completed application. Once staff have confirmed eligibility, and occupancy has been granted, applicants will be notified in writing. Then, necessary legal agreements will be finalized and registered.

Submissions are reviewed using the Employment Development CIP scorecard to determine program eligibility. Projects must score a minimum of 70 on the scorecard to be eligible. Funding is awarded on a competitive basis and is not guaranteed. Learn more about the evaluation and funding decision process.

For more information about which fees are eligible to be waived, or to confirm whether you qualify to have your application fees waived, contact invest@barrie.ca.

Visit barrie.ca/EmploymentLandsCIP to learn about the other financial incentive programs offered.