La Mesa Facade and Property Improvement Grant
This grant is provided by City of La Mesa
Grant Amount
Up to $25KOpen date
February 3, 2025Grant Frequency
Open until funds are exhausted
About This Grant
La Mesa’s Facade and Property Improvement Grant provides matching funds to help local businesses complete exterior improvements that enhance properties and the city’s economic climate. 2025 Year Four funding is available; awards are first-come, first-served and subject to availability.
Tiered by linear public right-of-way frontage
- 10–49 ft: $14K
- 50–99 ft: $18K
- 100–149 ft: $22K
- 150+ ft: $25K
First $5K requires no match; any award above $5K requires a 50% match. Example: $25K award = $10K match to access the additional $20K.
How You Can Use the Funds
- Eligible Examples:
- Significant facade improvements/renovations; restoration of historic features.
- Substantial irrigated landscaping; compatible building additions; new roof material only if part of a significant facade project.
- Uniform upgrades in older strip centers aligned with a comprehensive plan.
- Block walls/fencing only with comprehensive landscaping; signs (no internally lit “can” signs), awnings, painting when part of significant facade work.
- Murals per City policy; trash enclosures and rooftop equipment screening only with other exterior improvements.
- Permanent outdoor patio areas; added rear/alley customer entrances as part of a comprehensive facade project.
- Over-the-counter building/sign permit fees related to the project.
- Note: Ineligible items include general maintenance, interior work, MEP upgrades, roof repairs, parking lot paving/striping, chain-link fencing, new buildings, certain residential/religious/nonprofit projects outside eligible contexts.
Documents Required
- Applicant/business/property details and contact info.
- Detailed scope of work; preliminary renderings/elevations/building plans (if available).
- Preliminary cost estimate with line-item breakdown (labor, materials, design, other).
- Estimated project timeline.
- High-quality “before” photos showing the facade/areas of work.
- Names/contact info for contractors/designers/project managers (if known).
- If applicant is not the property owner: written owner consent at initial submission.
- After initial completeness review: attend mandatory pre-application meeting; upon conditional approval, sign the City’s Letter of Commitment specifying award amount and completion timeframe.
- Before reimbursement: submit permits/approvals, “after” photos, and proof of payment (paid invoices, cancelled checks, etc.). No advances; reimbursement only. Applicant self-performed labor is not reimbursed (materials only).
Eligibility Requirements
- Property within the City of La Mesa.
- Retail, commercial, office, industrial, or permitted business use in residential zones (subject to exclusions).
- Only one property per applicant; prior FPIP-funded properties are ineligible for repeat funding.
- Proposed project must conform to all applicable City codes/standards; not under active code enforcement.
- Must be a permitted or conditionally permitted use; legal nonconforming uses/signs/structures are ineligible.
- All necessary approvals/permits required before work starts.
- Non-owner applicants must have property owner consent at initial submission.