2025 Belleville Community Improvement Plan

The May 2025 Community Improvement Plan (CIP) is an updated version of the October 2021 CIP. The City of Belleville has primarily updated the terminology and significantly expanded the financial incentives related to accessory dwelling units, while also streamlining the application process.

Through the City’s successful Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) application, the City will receive annual disbursements to complete initiatives and milestones as outlined in the City’s Housing Action Plan. Within the 2025 Operating Budget, a total of $3.9 million is allocated towards a Community Improvement Plan (CIP) Update and funding of the programs.

An internal allotment of $548,000.00 is allocated for this interim update to immediately incentivize housing ahead of the City’s overall CIP Update. Based on the interim budget, the City will be able to incentivize a maximum of 109 accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Funding for the programs will be from the HAF allocation of the City’s 2025 Operating Budget. No additional funds are required to support the implementation of the programs.

General changes

Updates to the general conditions of the CIP include the following:

• Terminology and definition updates to the terms “second unit”, “building permit approval”, and “closing” to reduce confusion, and align with the terminology of the City’s Official Plan and Zoning By-law 2024-100;
• Complete application requirement updates to reflect the refined administrative process for application processing and review.
• Updated intake periods to provide flexibility for applicants to apply at their convenience and reduce administrative bottlenecks of potential application surges.
• Frequently asked questions updates to align with the revised program eligibility.

Changes to Programs 4 and 5

Two programs are geared towards accessory dwelling units (ADUs), currently referred to as second units within the CIP:

Program 4: Second Units in New Construction Housing Rebate

Updates to this program include the following:

• Rename the program to incorporate updated terminology, changing “second units” to “accessory dwelling units.”
• Expand eligibility criteria to include newly constructed homes featuring multiple Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).
• Adjust eligibility criteria retroactively to include new homes that received a Tarion certificate on or after December 18, 2024.
• Increase the funding incentive amount from $2,500 to $5,000.
• Update and delete application criteria limiting property eligibility.
• Add a sub-header detailing post-approval requirements.

Program 5: Second Units in Existing Housing Rebate Update

Updates to this program include the following:

• Rename the program to incorporate updated terminology, changing “second units” to “accessory dwelling units.”
• Expand eligibility criteria to include renovated properties featuring multiple Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).
• Adjust eligibility criteria retroactively to include new units that received building permit issuance on or after December 18, 2024 as well as to include new units that receive substantial occupancy on or after December 18, 2024.
• Increase the funding incentive amount from a maximum of $2,500 to $5,000.
• Deletion of the two rebate programs formerly available – Rebate 1 for studies and drawings and Rebate 2 for construction work over $30,000.
• Deletion of footers to reflect updated program objectives and terminology.
• Update and delete application criteria limiting property eligibility.
• Add a sub-header detailing post-approval requirements.