Clean, Safe & Sustainable Grants

Empty spaces on the sides of downtown buildings do nothing to contribute to the overall attractiveness of our City Centre. In an effort to better enhance our downtown and beautify some of these spaces, the DVBA can provide financial assistance to property owners who wish to create murals on the side of their buildings.

Grants of 20% of the cost of creating a mural, to a maximum of $2,500, will be provided. Work must not begin before approval has been provided by a committee comprised of representatives of the DVBA and the City.

Financial assistance is available to help with the costs of: retaining professional services of mural artists, mural products, and application. Grants will be paid upon satisfactory completion of work and presentation of all receipts to the DVBA. To be eligible for a grant, a property must be located within the boundaries of the Downtown Victoria Business Improvement Area (click here for DVBA boundary map). The application for assistance must fully outline and illustrate the scope of work and the proposed lighting products. Unless circumstances warrant otherwise, more than one quote is required for proposed services or product. All work must receive necessary heritage and design approvals, as well as building permits from the City of Victoria.

Please contact us for more information on the Enhance Downtown grant program.

The DVBA has grants available to downtown property and business owners who wish to better illuminate their buildings and properties. The overall objective of this incentive program is to create a more appealing downtown, with an enhanced comfort level for all who visit, work, and live here.

Grants of up to $5,000, to a maximum of 25% of the cost of approved work, are available for the installation of lighting which enhances the appearance of a building and/or better illuminates a property to improve security.

Financial assistance is available to help with the costs of: retaining professional services of lighting designers, lighting products, and their installation. Grants will be paid upon satisfactory completion of work and presentation of all receipts to the DVBA. All work must be completed within six months of your proposal being approved. To be eligible for a grant, a property must be located within the boundaries of the Downtown Victoria Business Improvement Area (click here for DVBA boundary map). The application for assistance must fully outline and illustrate the scope of work and the proposed lighting products. Unless circumstances warrant otherwise, more than one quote is required for proposed services or product. All work must receive necessary heritage and design approvals, as well as building permits from the City of Victoria.

While striving to enhance lighting levels, we will be working with BC Hydro to ensure “power-smart” solutions which minimize power consumption and any light spillage into the sky. Please contact us for more information on the Illuminate Downtown grant program.

The DVBA has devised a program to work with property and business owners to help reduce the impact of nesting and young seagulls on our downtown. A grant of 50% of the cost of materials and hired labour, to a maximum of $350, is available to property owners who have installed any devices on the roof and roof lines of their downtown property that is designed to prevent the roosting or perching of seagulls.

To be eligible for a grant, a property or event must be located within the boundaries of the Downtown Victoria Business Improvement Area (click here for DVBA boundary map) and gull grant application form. Applications must be approved by the DVBA before work is carried out.  Please contact us for more information on the Gull Grant.