The Renovation Fee Waiver Program helps eligible property owners reduce vacant building fees.
Under this program, we will provide a dollar-for-dollar credit toward vacant building fees based on:
- The value of a City grant issued for the renovation or redevelopment of a vacant building, or
- The cost of a City construction permit used to improve the building
Eligibility
To qualify, you must apply for the fee waiver within 12 months of one of the following dates:
- The date the City grant was issued, or
- The date the City construction permit was closed following final inspection
How the fee waiver can be used
Approved fee waivers are applied as a credit to your account.
- If the building is still vacant: the credit may be used to pay new vacant building fee invoices
- If the building is occupied or demolished: the credit may be used to pay overdue vacant building fees still owing on that property
Important conditions
Please note:
- Fee waivers are not cash refunds and cannot be used to recover fees already paid
- Fee waivers can only be used for Vacant Building By-law fees. They cannot be applied to tickets, fines, administrative penalties, or any other debts owed to the City
- Fee waivers are building specific
How to apply
Applications will be accepted beginning July 1, 2026.
Contact us
For more information on the Renovation Fee Waiver Program, contact us at:
- 204-986-2234
- CMS-LBE@winnipeg.ca