Pittsburgh URA Commercial Facade Grant Program
Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh (URA)
Up to $20,000
Researched for this program: 6 rejection traps · 6 required documentsWhat decides this award ↓
Pittsburgh facade grants for commercial storefronts
Pittsburgh city facade improvement grants of up to $20,000 covering 75% of renovation costs for ground-floor commercial storefronts and building facades within city limits. Part of the City's Main & Main Initiative. Eligible improvements include signage, lighting, windows, doors, paint, brick pointing, and sidewalk activation. Applicants must have funds to cover 100% of costs upfront before receiving reimbursement. Applications open — current round deadline May 29, 2026.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- Municipal
- Amount range
- $20,000
- Realistic amount
- Most recipients receive $5,000–$20,000. The 75% coverage rate means a $26,667 renovation project yields the maximum $20,…
- Deadline
- Current round closed May 29, 2026. The URA runs future rounds under the Main & Main Initiative — check ura.org for the next cycle.
- Status
- between-intakes
- States
- PA
- Payment model
- reimbursement
Who qualifies
- Ground-floor commercial use (storefront or building facade facing a public street)
- Located within the City of Pittsburgh city limits
- Eligible applicants include business tenants and commercial property owners
- Tenant applicants must provide written property owner permission to make improvements
- Applicant must be able to finance 100% of total project costs upfront before reimbursement — no advance payment from URA
- Must pay a $50 non-refundable intake fee before the application can be reviewed
- No minimum revenue or employee count specified — program targets neighborhood commercial businesses
Hard requirements
- Location restriction: City of Pittsburgh — ground-floor commercial storefront
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- New exterior commercial signage
- Facade lighting (exterior)
- New or replacement windows
- Exterior doors
- Exterior painting
- Brick pointing and masonry repair
- Sidewalk activation improvements (planters, outdoor seating pads, accessible entries)
Ineligible expenses
- Interior improvements
- Movable equipment or furniture
- Inventory or supplies
- Work begun before grant award
- Properties outside Pittsburgh city limits
How to apply
-
1
Pay the $50 intake fee and submit application before May 29, 2026
The $50 non-refundable intake fee must be paid before your application can be reviewed. Do not skip this step — applications without the fee are not reviewed. Submit through the URA's online application portal at ura.org/pages/facade-program.
-
2
Prepare required documentation
Gather: current facade photos (before condition), project description and scope, contractor quotes for each improvement, a W-9 (required for grant disbursement), and written property owner permission if applying as a tenant. Have 2+ contractor quotes ready.
-
3
Await URA review and award notification
URA staff review applications after the round closes. The program plans to fund up to 25 projects per round. Successful applicants receive a written award letter and grant agreement. Review typically takes 4–8 weeks after the deadline.
-
4
Complete facade improvements using approved contractors
After award, complete the approved improvements using the proposed contractors. Pay all contractors in full — the URA does not advance funds. Photograph the completed work (after photos required for reimbursement).
-
5
Submit paid invoices for 75% reimbursement
Submit paid contractor invoices, before/after photos, and a W-9 to URA for reimbursement processing. The URA reimburses 75% of eligible costs up to $20,000. A $300 administrative fee and a 4% due diligence fee apply to funded projects (both may be financed at closing). Reimbursement is typically issued within 4–6 weeks of a complete submission.
The $50 non-refundable intake fee gate is real — no fee, no review. Pay it first. Also note: a 4% due diligence fee applies to funded projects, which is unusual for a city grant — confirm this at application time.
Deadline & timing
The current round closes May 29, 2026 at 5:00 PM. A $50 non-refundable intake fee is required before an application can be reviewed — pay this before the deadline. URA plans to support up to 25 projects per round; budget exhaustion may close the round earlier. Next round timeline not yet announced.
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