Financial Assistance Program for Stormwater Management on Residential Properties

The City of Pointe-Claire is launching a financial assistance program to encourage homeowners to carry out work to improve stormwater management on their property. 

This program aims to support residents who want to implement sustainable, tailored solutions to make their properties more resilient. In this section, we provide an overview of the program and various details regarding eligibility criteria, the steps for submitting an application, and how to obtain your reimbursement.

Financial Assistance Available to Improve Stormwater Management

Eligible homeowners may receive financial assistance covering 50% of the cost of eligible work, up to a maximum of $5,000 per property.

Financial assistance is granted subject to the property’s eligibility, the availability of funds, and the City’s prior approval of the application.

Important: Work must not begin until the application has been submitted, written approval has been received from the City, and any required building permits have been obtained.

Eligibility of townhouses 

We can confirm that townhouses are eligible for the program, but only for improvements to privately owned residential areas. Common areas are not currently eligible.

For example, an application for a pump to be installed in your basement would be eligible, while work involving a common area, such as a shared garage, would not.

Eligibility Criteria: Who is Eligible for Financial Assistance for Stormwater Management at their Private Residence?

The program is intended for homeowners in Pointe-Claire. Eligible properties are single-family or two-family homes listed on the property assessment roll.

To be eligible, applicants must:

• own an eligible residential property within City limits;
• be up to date on their tax obligations to the City;
• obtain the required permits or certificates, if applicable.

The following are not eligible: 

• commercial, industrial, or institutional buildings; 
• buildings with three or more residential units; 
• vacant lots without a residential building;
• buildings where work had begun prior to the application being submitted.

Funds are available in accordance with the annual budget adopted by the City Council. When funds have been exhausted, applicants may be placed on a waiting list for the following year, in the order in which their applications were received. 

View the by-law

Eligible work and projects

This program aims to help Pointe-Claire residents protect their homes from the effects of severe weather, particularly during heavy rainfall. It provides financial assistance for projects to improve stormwater management on your property and around your home, helping make you residence more resilient. 

The program does not provide compensation for damage resulting from a specific event and is separate from the coverage provided by insurance policies. Its purpose is to support the implementation of practical preventive measures that reduce risks and improve the resilience of residential properties.

Here are some examples of eligible projects:

• grade correction;
• installation or improvement of permeable surfaces;
• planting a rain garden;
• disconnecting the gutters from the sewer system or the foundation drain;
• installation of retention systems;
• installation of backwater valves;
• installation of roof drains;
• installation of window wells;
• upgrading catch basins and foundation drains;
• installation of fixed or removable cofferdams or flood barriers;
• installation of watertight doors;
• upgrading the sealing at water entry points;
• backfilling a driveway entrance;
• any other measures recommended by a City representative.

Before you submit an application for financial assistance, it is recommended that you have the property assessed to identify stormwater management issues and determine which measures are eligible under the program. 

This program will soon be complemented by a residential assessment service offered in partnership with Écohabitation. The service will help homeowners identify measures that can reduce the risks of sewer backup, water infiltration, and flooding. Participants will receive a report outlining the characteristics of their property and home, along with recommendations for the measures best suited to their specific situation. Additional details about this service will be announced during summer 2026.

Additional information about the support service

If you are not sure where to begin, a support service will be available by the end of the summer through our partner Écohabitation, an organization that specializes in sustainable renovation and climate change adaptation projects. Experts will be able to assess your situation and recommend the work that would be best suited to your home. 

The cost of Écohabitation’s services and advice is fully covered by the City of Pointe-Claire. This amount is deducted directly from the maximum financial assistance of $5,000 available under the program.

The cost of Écohabitation’s services may vary depending on the level of support required for your case:

• Assessment by questionnaire and preparation of a personalized work plan: $540 per residence
• Assistance from Écohabitation in reviewing contractor quotes: $360 per residence
• Site visit, at the discretion of Écohabitation and the City in the case of a complex application: $990 per visit, per residence

The maximum total cost is $1,890 if all services are used.

How to Submit an Application

There are five steps to submitting your application. 

First, before work begins, you must submit an application to confirm that your residence and projected work are admissible. After which, the City will evaluate the validity of your application. 

Then, you will need to apply for any required permits and authorizations. Upon receipt of those permits and authorizations, you can start your project! 

Lastly, after the work is completed, you will need to apply for reimbursement. More details : 

1. Submit Your Application

You must submit your project or work to the City to confirm that it is eligible for the financial assistance program.

Before beginning the work, you must complete the application form and attach the required documents:

• a site plan or sketch showing the location of the proposed construction work;
• a description of the work and materials;
• at least one bid from a qualified contractor, or a detailed cost estimate if you are doing the work yourself.

Please note that the City may ask you for additional documents.  

2. Wait for Approval from the City

If your application is complete and meets all requirements, the City will issue a decision within 30 days at the latest. The City may approve the application, request additional information, or deny the application, stating the reasons for its decision.

Work may not begin until the City has given its written approval. Work that began before the application was submitted or approved is not eligible.

An approval is valid for 12 months. The work must be completed during this period. If necessary, a maximum extension of 6 months may be requested in writing before the deadline.

3. Obtain the Required Permits or Certificates

Before beginning the work, you must obtain all required permits or authorizations, if applicable. Some projects may require a permit from the City, even if they have been approved under the financial assistance program.

It is the homeowner’s responsibility to verify the applicable requirements and obtain the necessary permits before work begins.

4. Carry Out the Work

The work must be performed in accordance with the approved application. Any significant change must be approved by the City before it is implemented.

You have 12 months from the date you receive your confirmation of eligibility for the program to carry out the work. In addition, it is important to comply with the expiration date of your permit or authorization certificate for the work; this deadline may differ from the program’s deadline. 

While the project is underway, be sure to keep all documents related to the work, including invoices and proof of payment. You should also take photos before, during, and after to document the work performed. These documents will be required when you apply for reimbursement.

5. Request Reimbursement

Within 60 days after completion of the work, the homeowner must submit a reimbursement request, along with the required documents:

• invoices;
• proof of payment;
• photos taken before and after the work;
• licences or certificates, if applicable.

The request  will be reviewed by the City. After the request is submitted, City inspectors may visit the site to assess the work, especially if permits were required. 

If the reimbursement request is complete and all requirements have been met, the City will process the payment within 30 business days. The financial assistance will be paid by check made out to the name of the homeowner who submitted the application.