After the 2024 storms flooded more than 1,000 Toronto basements, the City expanded its Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program. Since May 1, 2026 it pays up to $6,650 per property, up from $3,400, and the higher amounts apply to eligible work completed on or after November 12, 2025.
What the subsidy pays
| Work | Subsidy (up to 80% of the invoice) |
|---|---|
| Backwater valve (up to two, for homes with more than one sewer connection) | Up to $1,600 each |
| Sump pump | Up to $2,250 |
| Sump pump battery backup (new) | Up to $300 |
| Home plumbing assessment (new) | Up to $500 |
| Disconnecting your weeping tile from the sewer (severance and capping) | Up to $400 |
| Total per property | Up to $6,650 |
How to claim it without losing it
- Get a building permit before installing a backwater valve. It's required for the subsidy.
- Use a properly licensed contractor. The City requires a Toronto plumbing, plumbing-and-heating, or drain contractor licence for this work. Ask for the licence number.
- Get an itemized invoice. If you're adding a battery backup to a sump pump, the contractor should list each part separately.
- Apply online through the City's program page once the work is done, with your invoice and permit.
- Ask the contractor if they've done subsidy jobs before. The paperwork is where most claims stall.
Why book it now
Contractors fill up fast after a spring storm. Booking the assessment over the winter gets you on the schedule before the thaw. Outside Toronto? Several GTA cities run their own programs, so check your city's website.
Free fixes you can do this weekend
Point downspouts so water lands at least 2 metres from your foundation (without sending it onto your neighbour's property), clear your eavestroughs, and make sure the ground slopes away from the house.
Related cost guides
Sources
- City of Toronto: Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program
- City of Toronto: subsidies almost double starting May 1 (news release)
- City of Toronto: 2026 basement flooding infographic (PDF)
General information for homeowners, not professional advice. Rules and amounts change; confirm with the official program or your municipality before you sign.
