Property Improvement Programs
The City of Yucaipa has three property improvement programs to help enhance residential and commercial properties.
The goal of the City’s Commercial Facade Improvement Program is to enhance and improve the appearance of the existing businesses within the former Redevelopment Project Area. It is a grant reimbursement program in which a property or business owner may obtain funding for up to $10,000 of their facade improvement costs. The program requires matching funds by the property or business owner. In return, the property owner must agree to maintain the City’s funded improvements for a minimum of five (5) years.
Eligibility
Owners and tenants of commercial property within an area of the former Redevelopment Project Area bounded on the east by Bryant Street and on the west by 5th Street are eligible to apply. Such commercial properties must be in need of physical improvements in order to alleviate blighting conditions as set forth in Section 33125 of the California Health and Safety Code, and they must have been occupied within the preceding 24 months. Tenants are required to provide documentation of the property owner’s consent to the improvements at the time of initial application. Written consent must be in the form of a letter agreement indicating the lessee’s authority to renovate and repair the subject property.
Eligible Project Costs
Eligible project costs may include engineering design, architectural design, fees, permits, insurance, and the construction cost. The eligible construction elements may include:
- Signs
- Doors
- Windows
- Framing
- Masonry
- Awnings
- Stucco/Painting
- Lighting
- Landscaping
- Irrigation
- Fencing (decorative)
- Up to 20% of the grants may be used for handicapped accessibility upgrades when directly associated with facade improvements
The eligibility of other improvements will be examined by staff on a case-by-case basis.
Reimbursement
Reimbursements will only be made to approved project applicants who have executed a Facade Maintenance Agreement with the City. The amounts and terms of the reimbursement will be outlined in the agreement. Reimbursement will only be made upon the City’s final approval of the improvements and the receipt of full back up documentation, which includes all of the following:
- Fully executed Facade Improvement Program Applications;
- All invoices, contracts, and verification of payment to architects, engineers, and contractors pursuant to the project;
- Copies of all bids received (a minimum of two (2) licensed contractors is required);
- A copy of the approved final building inspection from the Division of Building and Safety;
- A photograph of the building after completion of the improvements; and,
- Signed and Notarized Facade Maintenance Agreement and License to Enter in which the property owner agrees to maintain the City funded facade improvements for a minimum period of five (5) years.
Who is Eligible to Participate in the Residential Façade Improvement Program?
Homeowners in the Dunlap and Greater Uptown Neighborhoods are eligible to participate in the Residential Façade Improvement Program.
What is the Residential Façade Improvement Program?
The Residential Façade Improvement Program is a matching, low-interest (2%) loan of up-to-$5,000 for eligible home buyers to improve the façade of their residential property in the Dunlap and Greater Uptown neighborhoods. As part of this program, City plan check and building fees will be reduced by 25% for eligible projects requiring building permits.
Eligibility Requirements
- The Project property must be owner-occupied.
- The Project must be located in one of the four zones in the Residential Façade Improvement Program Target Areas
- The Project must enhance the façade, (any side of the home facing a public street). The total cost for the Project must be a minimum of $5,000.
- The Property Owner must submit a completed application and complete the approval process prior to beginning the Project.
- Confirm eligibility HERE!
Eligible Improvements May Include:
- Painting
- Plastering or stucco work
- Wood, brick treatments or composite siding
- Replacement of deteriorated or inefficient windows
- Removing or repairing awnings
- Installation of shutters and trim
- Installation of doors or entrances
- Installation of fencing, gates and lighting
- Installation of gutter and downspout repair/replacement
- Installation of exterior lighting
- Installation of landscaping and irrigation; including pavers, walkways, trees, shrubs and landscape lighting
- Removal of roof mounted air conditioner and installation of ground floor air conditioner, not visible from the street
Eligibility
To qualify for this exciting opportunity, applicants must be property owners and/or tenants of commercial properties within an area of the former Redevelopment Project Area bounded by Bryant Street to the east, 2nd Street to the west, and California Street between Yucaipa Boulevard and Avenue B. Applicants must have received approval from the City’s Planning Division for a restaurant land use for their property and occupy a building that is at minimum 2,500 sq. ft. in size. In addition, the space must:
- Provide indoor capacity of at least 25 seats;
- Function as a full-service restaurant with dinner service;
- Have a full kitchen, wait staff, and dining room at minimum.
If applying as a tenant, a letter from the property owner consenting to the improvements and lien requirement must be submitted at the time of initial application.
Eligible Project Costs
Eligible project costs may include engineering design, architectural design, fees, permits, insurance, and the construction cost. In addition, eligible construction elements may include:
- exhaust hoods
- grease traps/interceptors
- floor sinks
- electrical upgrades
- water heater upgrades
The eligibility of other improvements will be examined by staff on a case-by-case basis.
Application
To apply for the program, applicants must submit a Program Application with the following information:
- Applicant information
- Property owner information (if applicant is a tenant of property)
- Site / building information
- Description of proposed improvements
- Including cost estimates (Attach backup documentation supporting proposed improvements, such as bids and quotes from contractor(s))
- If applicant is a tenant, notarized letter from property owner (1) approving the improvements and (2) consenting to the lien instated on the property which will be released upon final repayment of the loan is required.
Loan
Approved applicants will be required to enter into a Loan Agreement with the City. The City of Yucaipa may loan 100% of the total approved project cost in an amount not to exceed $30,000.
Contact Us
Housing and Economic Development
909-797-2489 ext.243
