Community Improvement Plan (CIP)

This program aims to stimulate housing development in situations where it might otherwise not have occurred.

Tools Available

Construction Grant: The Township will provide a grant of 100% of eligible costs to a maximum of $10,000 per unit. The total grant shall not exceed $20,000 per development.

Eligibility

Priority will be given to applications that demonstrate the highest impact on the availability of attainable housing.

This program applies to the Muskoka Lakes Community Improvement Project Area, excluding properties designated Waterfront in the Township of Muskoka Lakes Official Plan. Non-waterfront Residential properties are eligible for this program. Total project costs must be at least $5,000 to be eligible for this program.

This program will assist developer proponents in assessing the feasibility of attainable housing projects that also support the Township’s Strategic Plan.

Tools Available

Construction Grant: The Township will provide a grant of up to 100% of eligible costs to a maximum of $20,000 per property.

Eligibility

Priority will be given to applications that demonstrate the highest impact on the availability of attainable housing.

This program applies to the Muskoka Lakes Community Improvement Project Area, excluding properties designated Waterfront in the Township of Muskoka Lakes Official Plan. Non-waterfront Residential properties are eligible for this program. Total project costs must be at least $5,000 to be eligible for this program.

This program will encourage building owners to improve accessibility for persons with disabilities and to enhance the exterior façade of their building.

Tools Available

Fee Rebate: The Township will waive some or all applicable fees for the proposed project. The maximum amount of rebated fees is at the discretion of the Township and subject to Committee approval.

Construction Grant: The Township will provide a grant of up to 50% of eligible costs to a maximum of $25,000 per property.

Eligibility

Priority will be given to applications for tourism, hospitality, or retail businesses.

This program applies to the Bala and Port Carling Community Improvement Project Areas. Commercial properties are eligible for this program. Total project costs must be at least $10,000 to be eligible for this program.

This program will support investment in structural and mechanical components of commercial properties to enhance business viability, building integrity, and year-round use.

Tools Available

Fee Rebate: The Township will waive some or all applicable fees for the proposed project. The maximum amount of rebated fees is at the discretion of the Township and subject to Committee approval.

Construction Grant: The Township will provide a grant of up to 50% of eligible costs to a maximum of $25,000 per property.

Eligibility

Priority will be given to applications for tourism, hospitality, or retail businesses. 

This program applies to the Bala and Port Carling Community Improvement Project Areas. Commercial properties are eligible for this program. Total project costs must be at least $20,000 to be eligible for this program.

This program aims to stimulate housing development in situations where it might otherwise not have occurred.

Tools Available

Grant: The Township will provide a grant equivalent to up to 100% of Township-levied development charges, to a maximum of $100,000 per property.

Eligibility

Priority will be given to applications that demonstrate the highest impact on the availability of attainable housing.

This program applies to the Muskoka Lakes Community Improvement Project Area, excluding properties designated Waterfront in the Township of Muskoka Lakes Official Plan. Non-waterfront Residential properties are eligible for this program. Total project costs must be at least $10,000 to be eligible for this program.

This program will increase the number and quality of dwelling units available for workers and employees in the Township.

Tools Available

Fee Rebate: The Township will waive some or all applicable fees for the proposed project. The maximum amount of rebated fees is at the discretion of the Township and subject to Committee approval.

Construction Grant: The Township will provide a grant of up to 25% of eligible costs to a maximum of $40,000 per property.

Tax Increment Grant: The Tax Increment Grant amount is determined by the incremental tax increase on the subject property. The Township will provide a grant equivalent to 100% of the incremental tax increase in year 1, with the annual grant decreasing by 10% of the incremental tax increase over the term of the agreement.

Eligibility

Priority will be given to applications that increase workforce housing.

This program applies to the Muskoka Lakes Community Improvement Project Area. Residential, Commercial, and Institutional properties are eligible for this program. Total project costs must be at least $80,000 to be eligible for this program.

This program will improve the landscape between commercial business and public properties, highlighting environmental sustainability, natural beauty, and local culture.

Tools Available

Construction Grant: The Township will provide a grant of up to 50% of eligible costs to a maximum of $10,000 per property. The minimum grant awarded under this program is $1,000.

Eligibility

Priority will be given to applications for tourism, hospitality, retail, office, industrial (near public spaces), mixed-use, and institutional businesses or properties.

This program applies to the Bala and Port Carling Community Improvement Project Areas. Commercial, industrial, and institutional properties are eligible for this program. Total project costs must be at least $2,000 to be eligible for this program.

This program will promote housing development by rebating Township fees for planning applications or building permits.

Tools Available

Fee Rebate Grant: The Township will rebate up to 100% of eligible fees, to a maximum of $10,000 per property. This rebate shall be provided in the form of a grant upon completion of the project.

Eligibility

Priority will be given to applications that provide workforce housing for all industries.

This program applies to the Muskoka Lakes Community Improvement Project Area, excluding properties designated Waterfront in the Township of Muskoka Lakes Official Plan. Non-waterfront Residential properties are eligible for this program. Total project costs must be at least $1,000 to be eligible for this program.

This program will encourage the development of additional day-use docking and/or boat slips for operators of pleasure craft travelling to the Community Improvement Area.

Tools Available

Fee Rebate: The Township will waive some or all applicable fees for the proposed project. The maximum amount of rebated fees is at the discretion of the Township and subject to Committee approval.

Construction Grant: The Township will provide a grant of up to 50% of eligible costs to a maximum of $10,000 per property. The minimum grant awarded under this program is $2,000.

Eligibility

Priority will be given to applications for tourism, hospitality, or retail businesses.

This program applies to the Bala and Port Carling Community Improvement Project Areas. Waterfront Commercial, Waterfront Open Space, and Waterfront Institutional properties are eligible for this program. Total project costs must be at least $4,000 to be eligible for this program.

This program will encourage the development of large-scale attainable housing to improve the supply of attainable housing in the Township.

Tools Available

Tax Increment Grant: The Tax Increment Grant amount is determined by the incremental tax increase on the subject property. The Township will provide a grant equivalent to 100% of the incremental tax increase in year 1, with the annual grant decreasing by 10% of the incremental tax increase over the term of the agreement. The total amount of the grant is determined on a case-by-case basis.

Eligibility

Priority will be given to applications that demonstrate the highest impact on the availability of attainable housing.

This program applies to the Muskoka Lakes Community Improvement Project Area, excluding properties designated Waterfront in the Township of Muskoka Lakes Official Plan. Non-waterfront Residential properties are eligible for this program. Total project costs must be at least $250,000 to be eligible for this program.