Residential Development Incentive Program

In 2024, the Town undertook a study to explore a residential development incentive program. This led to the approval of a made-in-Salisbury solution, approved by Council in early 2025. While operating as a pilot, the Town has allocated municipal dollars and looks forward to increasing residential housing in our community.

The Town of Salisbury Residential Development Incentive has several streams:

Pre-Application Grant: For projects that require preliminary work, such as engineered water studies, drainage plans, etc., up to $5,000 may be provided twice per project (up to $10,000).
Residential Incentive Grant: up to $10,000 per unit, for a maximum of $40,000 per project, is provided for certain housing projects (including subdivisions or projects with ten units or more). This includes the basement apartment conversions, secondary suites (where zoning permits), etc..
Building and Development Permit Fee(s) Grant: for projects that have agreements for affordability (ie: with the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)), building permit fees will be re-imbursed upon project completion.
Sub-division Cost-Sharing Grant: Cost-share up to 25% of select municipal infrastructure (e.g.: sewer, asphalt), up to a maximum of $150,000 per project.

For more information:

FAQ

How much will the Town spend on this program?

In 2026, as was the case in 2025, $150,000 has been budgeted for the program, more than the $100,000 recommended in the 2024 report. The Town expects this program to be extremely popular and that funds will be exhausted each year. This is why the Town will leverage the municipal contribution to also explore other funding avenues to make the Town budget for the program stretch further.

Why are only certain housing types or development types eligible?

The program was designed based on Salisbury’s specific housing needs. This included a Developer Focus Group, a Literature Review, and an assessment of Salisbury’s housing needs.

How will I get my grant, once approved?

Grants are issued, pursuant to signed agreements, upon completion of the respective project and/or phase.

Does this program only apply to the former Village?

The former Village boundaries is the only area on a municipal wastewater system with space for expansion. Based on the report completed to establish this pilot, it was determined to focus prioritizing development in this area. Residents in former LSDs may also be eligible, based on the parameters of the housing development. They are, however, eligible to receive the $10,000 per unit grant for projects such as basement apartments or secondary suites. Residents must first confirm their zoning to determine eligibility.

Does the Town know what type, and how much, housing is needed?

The study leading to the program highlighted that:

Continuation of recent strong growth in the Moncton region will continue to have obvious implications for housing needs. In fifteen years from 2006 to 2021, the Town added 1,016 people (15.1%). In the most recent five-year period, 437 appear to have been added, or 43.0% of that increase.
Future growth to 2041 based on in-migration trends experienced from 2016 to 2021 indicate 3,163 residents will be added over the next two decade, to ~2041.

In Salisbury, the vast majority of housing is single-family dwellings with a low amount of rental stock. The program targets strategic projects to ensure diversification of housing options across the entire housing spectrum.

How do I apply, and when will I hear back?

Applications must be submitted on the online form, available here. Applications are received on a first-come, first-serve basis. Projects are not eligible to be backdated beyond the parameters of the approved Policy.

Where can I find the policy?

The Policy for the Residential Development Incentive Program can be read online here.