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Patio Installation Grant

An outdoor patio allows restaurants, bars and cafes the opportunity to increase capacity and sales, while also adding to the vibrancy of the downtown, encouraging more visitors and spending. The Patio Installation Grant provides funding for business and property owners to install or expand an outdoor patio for their guests and visitors.
Graphic of a couple sitting at a table talking on a patio attached to a business, with another person drinking tea at a table reading the newspaper

Applications open in February 2026. Do you have what you need to submit a complete application?

Note: applications are not approved until all necessary permits, quotes, and designs are provided and reviewed.

  • Confirm your business / property is with an eligible CIPA (see below)
  • Confirm your planned project meets the eligible project components (see below)
  • Review the applicable community branding guidelines to ensure your project meets the guides (see below)
  • Obtain all necessary municipal and / or County permits
  • Obtain quotes from contractors for materials and / or labour
  • Obtain designs / renderings / inspirations of the project for a visual scope
  • Ensure project work can be completed by October 31 of the calendar year

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for the grant:

  • The applicant must be the tenant or the property owner (tenants must provide a letter of support from the property owner).
  • The building must be commercial or mixed-use and be located within a priority downtown Community Improvement Project Areas (CIPA) in Bruce County.
  • The project must comply with municipal bylaws and have received appropriate permits and permissions.
  • Project work must not have started (including purchasing any materials) until the application has been approved.
  • Properties previously awarded grants are ineligible for funding under the same grant category unless the grant was provided more than five years ago, either the tenant or property owner changed or the application is for different physical elements of the building/property.

Max Funding: 

  • 50% of total project cost (excluding taxes) up to $4,000.

Eligible Projects 

Eligible projects may include, but are not limited to:

  • Decking
  • Fencing or railings
  • Flooring / patio stones / brick
  • Permanent planter boxes

Ineligible Projects 

Ineligible projects include, but are not limited to:

  • Patio furniture (e.g., tables, chairs, benches, etc.).
  • Portable accessories (e.g., heaters, fire pits, speakers, lighting etc.).
  • Greenery (e.g., plants, flowers, shrubs, etc.).

Eligible Communities / Hamlets and Accompanying Branding

Project elements should properly reflect those included in the applicable branding document. The below are the communities eligible for this grant, permitting the property is within that community's priority downtown Community Improvement Project Areas (CIPA).

Arran-Elderslie: Chesley Facade Guidelines, Paisley Community Toolkit, Tara Facade Guidelines

Brockton: Walkerton Facade Guidelines

Huron-Kinloss: Lucknow Community Toolkit, Ripley Community Toolkit

Kincardine: Kincardine Community Toolkit, Tiverton Facade Guidelines

Northern Bruce Peninsula: Lion’s Head Community Toolkit, Tobermory Community Toolkit

Saugeen Shores: Port Elgin Community Toolkit, Southampton Community Toolkit

South Bruce: Formosa Facade Guidelines, Mildmay Facade Guidelines, Teeswater Facade Guidelines

South Bruce Peninsula: Allenford Community Toolkit, Hepworth Community Toolkit, Sauble Beach Community Toolkit, Wiarton Community Toolkit