Any new business establishing and locating operations in the City of Estevan is entitled to a property tax levy exemption for a period of five years under any one of the following circumstances:

• The tax levy exemption applies to any business that has constructed a new building or facility. However, where there have been substantial improvements or expansions made to a building that increases the property assessment, consideration for property tax exemption could be given. The applicant must be the registered owner of the property or someone authorized to act on behalf of the property owner. The following tax abatements would be applied:

Year 1: (from the date on the original development permit) 100% exemption

Year 2: 100% exemption

Year 3: 100% exemption

Businesses operating in the five investment priority areas as identified by the Economic Development Board (Agri-value/processing, Greenhouse technology, Geothermal energy, Renewable energy, Manufacturing/Warehousing) are entitled to an additional two years of tax levy exemption at the following percentages:

Year 4: 100% exemption

Year 5: 100% exemption.

• Any new entity purchasing an existing vacant building for the purpose of establishing and conducting commercial business within the City of Estevan, is entitled to a property tax levy exemption of a maximum of $10, 000 per year for three(3) consecutive years. The exemption will become effective from the date of obtaining a business license and is subject to the successful completion of an application form and the terms and conditions contained therein.
• Any new entity renting or leasing an existing vacant building for the purpose of establishing and conducting commercial business within the City of Estevan, is entitled to a property tax levy exemption of a maximum of $10, 000 per year for three(3) consecutive years. The Business owner (Renter or Leaser) must enter into a net/triple net lease agreement with the property owner in order to qualify for this exemption. The exemption will become effective from the date of obtaining a business license and is subject to the successful completion of an application form and the terms and conditions contained therein.

Please download and complete the application form. Completed application forms can be submitted either by email, fax, mail or in-person to :

Economic Development Coordinator
City of Estevan | Corporate Services
1102 4th Street  | Estevan, SK  | S4A 0W7

phone: (306) 634-1800
email: estevaneconomicdevelopment@estevan.ca

This policy applies exclusively to the city-owned parcels in the Glen Peterson area. This is defined by the following list:

1. To be eligible for this tax exemption, one of the above-mentioned parcels must have been purchased from the City, a land sale agreement has been signed, and a building permit must be issued by the City of Estevan after January 1, 2017.
2. The issuance of the building permit must follow the requirements of the City of Estevan’s Building Bylaw, Zoning Bylaw, or any other City bylaw which may be applicable to the development.
3. The maximum term of the tax exemption shall be three (3) years for any single parcel.
4. For building permits issued between January and September each year, the term shall begin for that year. For permits issued between September and December each year, the term shall begin the following year.
5. For the period of the exemption, 100% of the City’s portion of the property tax shall be exempted each year.
6. The term will begin following the issuance of a building permit for the property.
7. Tax exemption under this policy does not relieve an owner from paying any applicable education taxes or applicable levies.
8. The tax exemption may be cancelled by the City at its discretion if one or more of the following circumstances occur:
   • At the request of the owner; or
   • If any conditions of the land sale agreement are not met.

Any commercial property located within the City of Estevan and which has undergone storefront/façade improvements, including the paving of parking lots, may be granted a commercial property tax exemption equivalent to 75% of the cost of the improvement to a maximum of $10,000 or the lower of the two. The tax levy exemption will be applied starting the calendar year after the improvement has been completed and will be spread equally over the three years therefrom.

Façade/ Storefront improvement Criteria

Program Goals

The Program works with other revitalization initiatives to:

(1) Promote the viability of retail and commercial businesses;
(2) Help building owners to attract and retain tenants;
(3) Contribute to the quality of life of residents, workers and visitors to the city;
(4)  Make the city shopping streets more inviting and interesting places to work and shop; and,
(5)  Build local community and civic pride.

 Grant Allocation

Funding will be allocated on a case-by-case basis subject to the approval of the Economic Development Board. The grant will be in the form of a property tax exemption equivalent to the lesser of 75% of the cost of the improvement or $10,000. Submitting an application does not guarantee a grant or a specific grant amount. All project proposals are subject to a comprehensive review of the building storefront and façade, must meet high-quality standards, and must reflect the spirit and intent of the Design Guidelines. An application for a grant must be submitted.

 Introduction

 Criteria

The following criteria are required to participate in the project.

1. These existing buildings are (a) located within a Target Area, (b) part of a continuous pedestrian-oriented street, and (c) located directly adjacent to the sidewalk and passing foot traffic.

2.  Buildings located in industrial, areas, particularly along Kensington Avenue, qualify for this incentive if the improvement includes paving of the storefront yard/ entrance.
3. The applicant must be either the property owner or a designated person who has written authority from the owner to submit the application and/or to do this project.
4. The buildings must be used primarily for retail and commercial purposes. The Ec Dev Board has some discretion to include projects that are institutional or non-profit or accommodate other non-commercial uses that contribute to the activity on the commercial main street. The Ec Dev Board may also consider businesses located in areas other than Main Street.
5. The façade/store improvement work must be done by a local (Estevan) contractor.
6. The project must conform to the Program Design Guidelines

Design Guidelines:

 1) Buildings have a direct connection to pedestrians.

The building must be located close to the sidewalk and at ground-level so that pedestrians can easily see into and enter the stores. There should be no obstructions in front of the building such as a parking lot or stairs. Sometimes a small setback from the sidewalk can be a design element for the façade – this space can be used as a gathering place or display area for the business.

2) Renovations improve natural surveillance.

People should be able to clearly see inside the shop to the showcased merchandise and the shopkeepers should be able to easily see outside to monitor who is around the buildings.

Improvements include:

• adding and/or increasing the size of existing windows and storefronts;
• using glass doors;
• using clear glass rather than frosted or tinted glass;
• decluttering the windows of posters and signs; and,
• removing roller shutters or painting grills black.
• adding downcast lighting that washes the perimeter of buildings in light and does not pollute night skies.

3) Buildings are accessible to pedestrians.

The entrances of the building should

• be wide enough to be comfortable;
• be located directly onto the sidewalk and not along the side of the building;
• be inviting, eye-catching and complement the façade design using interesting materials;
• be accompanied by clear business signage including good address display;
• be well lit to provide a sense of security and safety for visitors; and,
• incorporate landscaping to enhance pedestrian comfort and make the place more interesting.

4) Sidewalks should be lively places that are filled with people.

Neighbourhoods are healthy and complete when they are filled with people walking up and down the sidewalks. Certain businesses foster this pedestrian activity: coffee shops, clothing stores, gift shops, restaurants and bakeries.

5) Renovations fit to a human scale.

Façade improvements should make the buildings friendly to the pedestrians. The project emphasis will focus on the lower three stories of the building. The front of the building will be partitioned into sections that are more interesting to walk past than long stretches of homogenous walls. Design elements and materials such as signage should be people-sized rather than super-sized elements that cater to people driving past quickly in their cars.

6) Projects should contribute to the safety of the street.

Buildings should be well lit at all times of the day. Customers and pedestrians want to feel safe as they walk down the streets. Building façades and sidewalks can be lit with lighting that has different colours and patterns to create dramatic effects. Lighting that contributes to dark skies is preferred.

7) Projects address winter conditions.

Estevan is a winter city. Streetscapes and building façades can use the dramatic winter sun to create interesting shadows along the building's face, maximize sun exposure, and provide protection from the wind and snow. This can be done with:

• awnings, balconies or projects that shelter;
• Warm, bright colours;
• hardy landscaping that survives winter and provides colour and texture in winter months;
• lighting to illuminate dark evenings; and,
• non-slippery materials for building entrances.

8) Projects exemplify innovative, artistic design.

The improvements should make the building look inviting to shoppers, comfortable for pedestrians and interesting for the whole streetscape. Unique artistic elements can give a shopping area character and identity. Texture, pattern, colour and interesting shapes should be incorporated into the façade design in an innovative arrangement and through the use of a variety of materials.

Eligible Improvements:

• Lighting
• Exterior walls
• Windows
• Doors
• Storefronts
• Entranceways
• Parking lots
• Awnings/Canopies
• Exterior architectural and/or artistic features
• Architectural / Designer fees (to a maximum)
• Landscaping (to a maximum)
• Façade cleaning and painting
• Signage – only the permanent, installation components of the signage included and graphic elements are excluded
• Limited permanent interior improvements – the reconfiguration of the interior walls, display spaces and interior window finishes enhancing the function and displays of the storefronts. When you plan these improvements, please incorporate these elements in a complete design rather than checking off the elements on a list. The Program supports improvements to the first three stories of the building. The work must improve the building and street face by doing more than maintenance.

Please download and complete the application form. Completed application forms can be submitted either by email, fax, mail or in-person to :

Economic Development Coordinator
City of Estevan | Corporate Services
1102 4th Street  | Estevan, SK  | S4A 0W7

phone: (306) 634-1800
email: estevaneconomicdevelopment@estevan.ca

The City of Estevan will partner with local community foundations, business enterprise centres, community futures development corporations, and any other relevant entity, to identify and support business retention, expansion and transition opportunities. To that end, the City of Estevan will support the establishment of a Business Incubator to provide business support and services to local businesses.

For more information, please contact :

Economic Development Coordinator
City of Estevan | Corporate Services
1102 4th Street  | Estevan, SK  | S4A 0W7

phone: (306) 634-1800
email: estevaneconomicdevelopment@estevan.ca