Basement Flooding Protection

Subsidy

The basement flooding protection subsidy program was put in place by the City of Toronto in order to give home owners an incentive to install devices that prevent basements from flooding during heavy rainfall. The rebates total up to $3400 based on what eligible devices are installed.

What Do I do to take advantage of these subsidies?

There are three eligible projects that you can complete to be eligible for these subsidies:

• Installation of a back water valve (to prevent water from the sewers backing up into your basement)

• Installation of a sump pump (to allow any water that does get into your basement to get pumped out from the basement).

• Severance/capping of your homes storm sewer or existing weeping tile.

Please note that disconnecting the downspouts from your property’s eavestrough system is not eligible for a subsidy.

What properties are Eligible for this subsidy?

Single-family, duplex and triplex residential homes are eligible for this subsidy.

How Much of a Subsidy am I entitled to for each project?

Sump Pump Installation: The available subsidy is 80 per cent of the invoiced cost up to a maximum of $1,750 regardless of the number of devices installed at the property, including eligible labour, materials and taxes.

Backwater Valve Installation: The available subsidy is 80 per cent of the invoiced cost up to a maximum of $1,250 regardless of the number of devices installed at the property, including eligible labour, materials, permit and taxes.

Foundation drain (weeping tile) pipe severance and capping: The available subsidy is 80 per cent of the invoiced cost up to a maximum of $400 including eligible labour, materials and taxes.

How do I Complete the projects/application for this program?

These are the steps to obtaining the subsidies for each of these projects:

Step 1: Get a Building Permit to Complete the Work

You can either apply for the permit in person or online here, and fill out the required forms. The cost of the permits will likely be around $200, which is the minimum fee for stand-alone projects. If applying in person, please go to the customer service counter at one of the following four City of Toronto offices:

Toronto and East York District
Toronto City Hall
100 Queen Street West
Ground Floor West Tower
Toronto ON M5H 2N2
Wards Served: 9,10,11,12,13,14,19

North York District
North York Civic Centre
5100 Yonge Street, Ground Floor
Toronto ON M2N 5V7
Wards Served: 6, 8, 15, 16, 17, 18

Etobicoke York District
Etobicoke
2 Civic Centre Court, 1st Floor
Toronto ON M9C 2Y2
Wards Served: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7

Scarborough District
Scarborough Civic Centre
150 Borough Drive, 3rd Floor
Toronto ON M1P 4N7
Wards Served: 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25

Be sure to sign in right when you arrive and show up before 3:30 pm to be served the same day! Customers will also be asked to present a re-writable DVD or USB drive containing all the necessary materials for the eligible service requests. No paper copies will be required.

Step 2: Fill out and send in the Consent to Enter Form with Building Permit Application

This form will need to be filled out if you are completing the sump pump and back water valve projects, which almost everyone does. The form to fill out is located here, and you will need to present it with the rest of your permit application in Step 1.

Step 3: Get the Permit then Get a Quote

Once the permit is approved and given to you, you can get a licensed contractor to complete the work.

Be aware of the following requirements for getting the subsidy for the contractor and their quote:

• The projects that you complete will have to be distinctly itemized on the quote to show which projects were completed (i.e. Install sump pump, install backwater valve, etc.)

• The contractor (or their sub-contractor completing the work) will have to be licensed by the City of Toronto.

• The address of where the projects are being completed should be present on the quote.

The name and address of the licensed contractor should also be included on the quote. BVM Contracting will be able to help you with this!

Step 4: Get the work completed

Once the quote is agreed to, the work will be completed. Note that there will be a fair amount of demolition of the floor in the basement that may increase the cost based on if the basement is finished. If you are working with the correct contractor they will be able to give you a good idea of the entire cost of the work needing to be completed.

You contractor will also insure that the building inspector reviews the installed devices to confirm they were indeed installed, which is a requirement for getting the subsidy.

Step 5: Apply for the Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy

When applying for the subsidy, use the following application form, ensuring it is filled out in its entirety before mailing in.

Additionally, you should also include a copy of the invoice from the quoted work completed from the contractor, which includes the itemized projects as previously discussed.

Once you have both of these items completed, and have checked off all of the boxes on the last page, send the application and invoice into the following address:

Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program
City of Toronto
PO Box 15266 STN B RM B
Toronto, ON M7Y 2W1

Are There any conditions for applying for this subsidy?

Here are the stated conditions on the City of Toronto website for this program:

• You must be the registered owner of a single-family residential, duplex or triplex property within the City of Toronto.

• The property must not have exceeded the lifetime maximum subsidy amount for each eligible installation.

• The subsidy is available only to existing homes, not homes in the planning stages or under construction

• The downspouts from the property’s eavestrough must be disconnected from the City’s sewer system or you must have applied to the City for an exemption.

• All front yard paved areas of the property, including parking pads, must comply with the City’s Zoning By-law requirements.

• You must submit your application within one year of completion of the installation of the flood protection device.

• Your contractor(s) and any sub-contractor(s) who performed the installation of flood prevention device(s) must possess a valid license from the City of Toronto for the installation work, at the time of installation.

• Original invoices from the licensed contractor(s) and any sub-contractor(s) who performed the installation of the flood prevention device(s) must be provided with your application.

• You must not have any outstanding taxes or debts owed to the City of Toronto at the time your application is processed.

• Submitting an application does not guarantee a subsidy. Subsidies are issued on a “first-come, first-serve” basis, and are subject to annual funding approved by City Council.

Need Help with subsidies and rebates for your home renovations?

BVM Contracting completes rebates and subsidy applications at no charge as a part of our renovations, new home builds, and home additions. Get in contact to start the conversation about your renovation ideas and we can work with you to figure out what rebates and subsidies you have access to.

We are looking forward to hearing from you!

ABOUT BVM CONTRACTING

BVM Contracting is a full-service General Contractor or Home Builder located in Toronto. We provide home renovation and building services for major home renovations (kitchen renovations, bathroom renovations, basement renovations, full interior renovations, home additions, and new home construction). Our goal is to help guide our clients through the process of renovating their home, from concept to completion.

Further than providing General Contracting and Project Management for major home renovations, we also offer value-added services such as renovation financing, renovation rebate consultations and services, building permit and design services, smart home installation services, and real estate investor services.

To learn more about our offering by visiting our services page.