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Emergency flood alleviation application and rebate in St. Catharines, Ontario
St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
St. Catharines Emergency FLAP offers eligible homeowners 90% of approved flood-protection costs, up to $5,000. Apply before the work and use a licensed plumber with a city Plumbing-Only permit.
Key information
St. Catharines Emergency FLAP offers eligible homeowners 90% of approved flood-protection costs, up to $5,000. Apply before the work and use a licensed plumber with a city Plumbing-Only permit.
On this page
Application through payment at a glance
- Submit the Emergency FLAP online application and receive the city terms
Submit the Emergency FLAP online application and receive the city terms and conditions. Applications already made after July 1, 2026 do not need resubmission.
- Have the contractor assess the property and quote eligible work
Have the contractor assess the property and quote eligible work. Apply online for the Plumbing-Only permit and wait for issuance.
- Complete work under the permit
Complete work under the permit, book the final inspection with its permit number and close the permit. Submit the final paid invoice and required records. Eligible rebates are expected in four to six weeks.
Sources: Emergency flood alleviation grants
Program eligibility and eligible work
| Check | Published requirement |
|---|---|
| Location | Within city limits and connected to sanitary sewer |
| Building age | Constructed before 2012 |
| Residential class | See city eligibility wording; confirm ambiguous multi-unit cases |
| Contractor | Licensed plumber |
| Permit | Valid city Plumbing-Only permit |
| Previous flooding | Not required |
Sources: Emergency flood alleviation grants
Application through payment
- Submit the Emergency FLAP online application and receive the city terms and conditions. Applications already made after July 1, 2026 do not need resubmission.
- Have the contractor assess the property and quote eligible work. Apply online for the Plumbing-Only permit and wait for issuance.
- Complete work under the permit, book the final inspection with its permit number and close the permit. Submit the final paid invoice and required records. Eligible rebates are expected in four to six weeks.
Sources: Emergency flood alleviation grants
Devices and costs the program identifies
Eligible work includes normally open mainline backwater valves, sanitary weeping-tile disconnection, connection to a sump system, backup pumps and related discharge piping. Contractor assessment and the required plumbing permit are also listed eligible costs.
Council approved $20 million program funding on August 26, 2026. That does not mean every individual project qualifies or that the cap covers all costs.
The page’s building-class description combines “single-detached” with duplex, triplex and quadplex examples, then separately says semi-detached. Confirm a multi-unit property’s class with FLAP@stcatharines.ca before relying on eligibility. Plumbing questions go to building@stcatharines.ca.
Sources: Emergency flood alleviation grants
Questions and answers
Must my home have flooded already?
No. Previous flooding is not required if the other conditions are met.
What is the reimbursement percentage?
90% of eligible costs, capped at $5,000.
Does a home built in 2018 qualify under the age rule?
No. The stated construction threshold is before 2012.
Can a septic property use this sanitary-sewer program?
The stated condition requires connection to the city sanitary sewer.
Do I need to apply again if I applied after July 1, 2026?
The city says it already has those applications and resubmission is unnecessary.
Can I use any handyman for the work?
No. It must be completed by a licensed plumber under the valid permit.
Is the assessment cost excluded?
No. The contractor’s initial assessment is listed as eligible.
Can a backup sump pump be included?
Secondary battery-powered or water-siphon pump systems are among the listed work.
Can I claim before the permit is closed?
The process requires final inspection, completed work and permit closure before final paid records are submitted.
Who can clarify a duplex or triplex eligibility case?
FLAP@stcatharines.ca, because the published residential-class wording is ambiguous.
Sources: Emergency flood alleviation grants