Brownfield Remediaton Grant and Incentive Programs

Niagara Region offers brownfield incentives to encourage the remediation of contaminated sites for better environmental, economic, health, safety and urban planning outcomes.

Brownfield definition

Land located within the urban areas as defined from time to time in the Regional Official Plan, upon which there has been previous industrial, institutional, or commercial or open lands use or other use as prescribed under the Environmental Protection Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.E.19 and Ontario Regulation 153/04 thereto, each as amended from time to time, and for which site remediation is required in accordance with a Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessment.

Programs

  • Brownfield Tax Increment Grant

    The Brownfield Tax Increment Grant is a matching tax increment grant with local municipalities. The purpose of the Brownfield Tax Increment Grant program is to encourage brownfield remediation and redevelopment within local Community Improvement Plans which are eligible for a refund of taxes based on increased assessment resulting from the development.

    Tier 1: Projects with estimated remediation costs of $5 million or more will be eligible for a Regional grant matching that of the local municipality, up to 80 per cent of the tax increment (potentially up to 100 per cent for projects with affordable housing), up to eligible remediation costs, for up to 10 years.

    Tier 2: Projects with estimated remediation costs of $250,000 - $4,999,999 will be eligible for a Regional grant matching that of the local municipality, up to 60 per cent of the tax increment (potentially up to 80 per cent for projects with affordable housing), up to eligible remediation costs, for up to 10 years.

    Eligibility

    • Approval of a Brownfield Tax Increment Grant by a local municipality under its Community Improvement Program, including execution of a grant agreement between the municipality and the property owner
    • No remediation has begun before execution of agreement between the local municipality and the property owner
    • Owner cannot have been the owner of the brownfield during operational activities of the land use, which created the brownfield, nor have been found to be responsible for the subject contamination of the brownfield
    • Owner cannot be in arrears of any property taxes, local improvement charges or any other arrears or charges by the local municipality, Region or the Province

    Application

    The local municipality approving the Brownfield Tax Increment Grant must submit a complete application to the Region for matching funding within three months of executing the agreement with the property owner, including all required documentation.

    To apply, email Regional Brownfield Incentive Programs.

  • Brownfield Regional Development Charges Deferral

    Projects can receive a Regional Development Charges deferral for eligible brownfield sites until an occupancy permit is issued or up to five years from signing of deferral agreement, whichever is earlier.

    Partial changes in ownership during the deferral period may result in a percentage of Regional Development Charges being owed.

    Eligibility

    • Meet the definition of a brownfield
    • Have a minimum of $250,000 in remediation costs
    • Have an owner who was not the owner of the brownfield during operational activities of the land use which created the brownfield, nor have been found to be responsible for the subject contamination of the brownfield
    • Not be in arrears of any property taxes, local improvement charges or any other arrears or charges by the local municipality, Region or the Province

    Application

    Applications and all supporting documentation must be submitted by property owner within 12 months of commencement of environmental remediation and at least three months before a building permit is issued.

    A Brownfield Regional Development Charges Deferral application is needed for each phase of a phased project.

    To apply, email Regional Brownfield Incentive Programs.

  • Large-Scale Brownfield Regional Development Charges Grant

    A large-scale brownfield Regional Development Charge grant is equal to the Regional Development Charges owing for brownfield projects that meet specific eligibility criteria.

    If approved, the large-scale Brownfield Regional Development Charge Grant amount is calculated and deducted from Regional Development Charges owing at the time of building permit issuance.

    This grant may be held in combination with a Brownfield Tax Increment Grant, but the amount of this and all other incentives received for the project will be deducted from eligible costs before calculation of the Brown Tax Increment Grant.

    Eligibility

    • Meet the definition of a brownfield
    • Be for properties greater than 10 hectares in size that are under the same ownership, clustered in an immediate location, of which at least one parcel is greater than 10 hectares in size, and which form part of the same comprehensive development or redevelopment approval; measurement of properties will be determined by tools based on parcel fabric such as Teranet
    • Be located in its entirety within an area subject to a municipally initiated Secondary Plan process as of Aug. 25, 2022, or within an approved Secondary Plan area
    • Have an owner who was not the owner of the brownfield during operational activities of the land use which created the brownfield, nor have been found to be responsible for the subject contamination of the brownfield
    • Not be in arrears of any property taxes, local improvement charges or any other arrears or charges by the local municipality, Region or the Province

    Application

    Property owners must submit a complete Large-Scale Brownfield Regional Development Charge Grant Application and supporting documents within 12 months of commencement of environmental remediation and at least three months before a building permit is issued.

    Documentation required by issuance of a building permit includes a copy of the Record of Site Conditions and a copy of remediation costs signed by a qualified person, which may be subject to peer review.

    An application is needed for each phase of an approved project.

    To apply, email Regional Brownfield Incentive Programs.

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