The Toronto Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program: A Complete Guide

The City of Toronto Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program reimburses eligible homeowners for up to $3,400 in flood-protection work. It's one of the strongest municipal rebate programs in Canada and directly targets three high-value upgrades: backwater valve installation, sump pump installation, and downspout disconnection from the sewer system.

Eligibility: you must own the home, it must be a single-family, duplex or triplex property inside Toronto boundaries (North York, Etobicoke, Scarborough, York, East York and old Toronto all qualify), and the property must be connected to the City's sanitary or combined sewer system. Rentals held by an incorporated landlord are not eligible.

Eligible work and rebate amounts: backwater valve installation up to $1,875; sump pump installation up to $1,750; downspout disconnection up to $500 (max $1,000 for corner lots). All work must be performed by a licensed plumber pulling a City plumbing permit — self-installed work is not eligible.

How to apply: 1) Book a site inspection with a licensed plumber to confirm the scope. 2) Submit your subsidy application to the City BEFORE work begins — pre-approval is required. 3) Complete the work under permit and pass the plumbing inspection. 4) Submit paid invoices and inspection reports to the City. Reimbursement typically arrives within 8–12 weeks.

Common pitfalls: starting work before applying, using an unlicensed installer, or missing the plumbing inspection void the rebate. We handle the paperwork, permits, and inspection scheduling for every subsidy job we do in North York and the wider GTA — the rebate covers most or all of the installation cost for a typical single-valve, single-sump project.

Ready to protect your basement and claim the rebate? Call us at (647) 490-6679 for a free in-home assessment. We're a licensed Toronto plumbing contractor and we've walked hundreds of homeowners through this exact program.