The City of Yellowknife includes Revitalization Incentives as part of its broader Development Incentives Program (under Development Incentives By-law No. 5097). 

These incentives are specifically designed to encourage redevelopment, improvements, and reinvestment in existing areas of the city, especially in the Downtown, Residential Central, and other intensification zones — to help revitalize older properties, support economic activity, and make neighbourhoods more vibrant and accessible.

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Here are a list of the Revitalization Incentives available:

  • Development of Vacant Property Abatement

    This is available for new residential, commercial or mixed-use development constructed on a property within the Downtown Zone that has been vacant for more than 5 years.

    This incentive is five years of declining tax abatement.

  • Downtown Mixed-Use Development Abatement

    This is targeted towards new mixed-use development constructed within the Downtown (DT) Zone, and that is 12 metres or higher and has a minimum of 4 dwelling units. Developments constructed with more than 9 dwelling units must dedicate 10% to affordable housing.

    This incentive is five years of full tax abatement.

  • Residential Central Mixed-Use Development Abatement

    This is targeted towards new mixed-use development constructed within the Residential Central (RC and RC-1) Zone, and that has a minimum of 4 dwelling units and commercial uses at street-level. Developments constructed with more than 9 dwelling units must dedicate 10% to affordable housing.

    This incentive is five years of declining tax abatement.

  • Environmental Impact Study (EIS) Grant

    This supports environmental site assessments for property remediation in the Downtown Zone. Properties can apply for one or both of the following options:

    • A 50% contribution, up to $10,000, for a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment
    • A 50% contribution, up to $10,000, for a Remedial Work Plan or Risk Assessment after the completion of a Phase II Site Assessment

    A property can receive up to $20,000 if both options are applied for.

  • Shared Vehicle Grant

    This is available for developments that install vehicle sharing (car, e-bike, or bicycle) within the Downtown, Residential Central, and Residential Intensification Zones. This grant provides the following three options:

    • $5,000 per car share (up to 4 cars), to a maximum of $20,000 per development
    • $1,000 per e-bike share (up to 5 e-bikes), to a maximum of $5,000 per development; and
    • $200 per bike share (up to 15 bicycles), to a maximum of $3,000 per development

    Developments that are entirely commercial may qualify for one vehicle share, whether a car, a bike, or an e-bike.

  • Universal Dwelling Grant

    For new residential developments where dwelling units are built with barrier-free access to the building and at least 4 accessibility features.

    The grant covers up to 50% of the cost of accessibility upgrades, with a maximum of $15,000.

    Accessibility Features (for the complete list, please refer to section 4.4.4 of Development Incentives By-law No. 5097):

    • Access to the dwelling with ramps, elevators or lifts
    • Automatic or push-button doors at multi-unit dwelling entrances
    • Accessible parking or drop-off location
    • Accessible bathrooms
    • Countertops, cabinets, light switches, and other appliances with accessibility features
    • Accessible laundry washing facilities

  • Commercial Development for Universal Design Grant

    This is available to commercial businesses (new or existing) in the Downtown, Commercial Service, and Old Town Mixed Use Zones.

    This grant provides:

    • 50% of architecture, engineering, design, and labour costs, with a maximum of $15,000, to create a universal entrance into the business
    • 50% of architecture, engineering, design, and labour costs, with a maximum of $15,000, to create a universal streetscape that improves pedestrian accessibility from the building to the sidewalk

  • Bicycle Racks and Storage Grant

    This is available for new, redevelopment, and exterior façade projects that include safe bicycle storage. This grant provides the following two options:

    • Up to 50% of the cost, with a maximum of $1,000, for property redevelopment projects
    • Up to 100% of the cost, with a maximum of $5,000, for new developments

  • Development Permit and Building Permit Fee Grant

    This grant is for new residential developments that have received approval from any of the previous incentives. Non-residential developments will not qualify for this grant.

    100% of the Development Permit application fees will be reimbursed, and 100% of the Building Permit application fee will be reimbursed to a maximum of $10,000.