Commercial Facade Improvement Program

The Commercial Facade Improvement Grant Program (CFIGP) is a new City of Hemet business incentive program to enhance the physical appearance and attract new visitors to the City’s major commercial corridors. The Program offers two types of facade improvement grants, as well as up ten (10) hours of architectural fees and five (5) hours of design assistance to alleviate up-front design costs. The City Council has appropriated $450,000 in Fiscal Year 2023-24 and the draft Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget includes an additional $450,000 toward this program.

Applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis. The long-term objective is to upgrade and improve the physical appearance of businesses, encouraging retention of existing businesses, increasing property values, and improved business vitality.

Small Business Grant

Provides reimbursement of up to Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000) for commercial building façade improvements with a 5% matching requirement. Projects must be completed within six (6) months of the grant approval or building permit issuance.  The Small-Business Grant program is limited to the Downtown Specific Plan area with a preference for improvements on Florida Avenue. Museums and non-profit organizations are eligible to apply as well. The City has allocated $120,000 for Small-Business Grants which will fund improvements at a minimum of four (4) businesses in Fiscal Year 2023-24. The City intends to allocated an additional $120,000 toward Small-Business Grants in the Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget. Applications will be reviewed by staff and subsequently presented to the Planning Commission for review and prioritized for funding after an initial 60-day application period.  All submittals following the initial application period will be considered for funding as they are submitted.

Macro Business Center Grant                

Provides a reimbursable matching grant of 80% of eligible project costs.  The total cost of the improvement work must be more than Three Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($350,000). Matching grant recipients are required to contribute a minimum of 20% of the total facade improvement costs. Projects must be completed within eighteen (18) months of building permit issuance. The City has allocated $330,000 for one Macro-Business Center Grant in Fiscal Year 2023-24 that requires a minimum private investment of $66,000. The City intends to allocate an additional $330,000 toward a Macro-Business Center Grant in Fiscal Year 2024-25. Applicants for the Macro-Business Center Grant with projects in excess of $396,000 may consolidate funding from Fiscal Year 2023-24 and 2024-25 appropriations toward their project so long as a match of 20% is provided. Planning Commission approval is required for all Macro-Business Center Grants. 

Eligible Property Improvements

All improvements shall conform to City Building Codes, the City’s Zoning Ordinance, and applicable Design Guidelines. Properties or businesses with active Zoning or Code Enforcement cases are not eligible for this program. Eligible improvements include, but are not limited to:

  • Historic Building Restoration (removal of non-historic materials or additions such as stucco and exposing original masonry/brick) 
  • Exterior Facade Treatments (stucco, brick veneer, paint removal, etc.) 
  • Replacement of Signage  
  • New Awnings
  • Parking Lots
  • Exterior Painting visible from right-of-way
  • Exterior Lighting 
  • New Windows/Window Frames 
  • New Exterior Doors 
  • Structure Components such as Foundation, Wall, Beams, Floor, Slab, Columns, Stairs, and Frames (Only Macro Business-Center Grant qualify).  
  • Construction of New Facade Elements 
  • Anti-graffiti Treatment to Existing Windows
  • Installation of Permanent Landscaping
  • Construction of Outdoor Dining or Gathering Spaces
  • Murals, if they are professionally done and receive Planning Commission approval, provide an important aesthetic improvement and/or improve an expanse of wall or surface prone to graffiti. 
  • Additional improvements that are deemed to be consistent with the intent of the program will be reviewed and approved/disapproved on a case-by-case basis by the Community Development Department and City Manager. 

Reimbursement Process

  1. Upon approval, the City of Hemet will enter into agreement with the applicant and approved work may begin immediately after the agreement is fully executed. 
  2. Applicants are responsible for obtaining all necessary permits (including building permits) and authorities from the City. 
  3. Staff will inspect the project to ensure compliance with grant. 
  4. Work must be completed within six (6) months of grant award. 
  5. All work must comply with approved plans. 
  6. Grant funds will only be disseminated to the contractor not the applicant, once the construction of the City approved improvements has been completed and has been inspected by City Staff. 
  7. Grant funds will be disseminated upon the issuance of a Notice of Completion has been issued by City Staff. 

Commercial Facade Improvement Grant - Flyer

Commercial Facade Improvement Grant - Program Letter

Commercial Facade Improvement Grant - Program Guidelines