Each year, the City of Saint John proudly supports local organizations, businesses and property owners through its Municipal Grants Program. The Municipal Grants Program supports the City of Saint John in its ongoing pursuit to be a community of choice and promote economic health to residents and visitors. These grants are intended to strengthen our city and its residents by supporting community services, recreation, wellness, culture, art, events, environment, heritage and beautification.
Applicants must read the eligibility criteria and application guidelines before applying for a municipal grant. Applications open in December upon approval of Saint John Common Council.
Community Grant
Supports healthy, active and inclusive communities through the delivery of social, cultural and recreational activities. Grants are available for organizational support; community projects; and special events.
Community Arts Grant
Provides project support for non-profit organizations or groups wishing to offer quality arts activities in any discipline of the creative arts within the City of Saint John.
Land for Public Purpose Grant
Financial support is available to community groups within the City of Saint John whose project aims to develop a public space for the recreational enjoyment and use of citizens.
Beautification Grant Program
The purpose of the Beautification Grant is to invest in the facades of homes and landscaping front yards, as an effort to help beautify streets and neighbourhoods in the Central Peninsula. Eligible properties must be outside the Heritage District. Eligible investments include: siding, painting, entryways, architectural detailing, windows and landscaping.
Heritage Grants
The Heritage Grant Program is an incentive program designed to encourage property owners to preserve designated heritage buildings and their character-defining elements.
A classic, historic, and inviting urban park, King's Square is located in uptown Saint John at the head of King Street and bounded by Sydney, Charlotte, King's Square North, and King's Square South Streets. A salute to the Loyalist heritage of the city's founders, its pathways were designed in the shape of the British Union flag. The square is home to several monuments and plaques paying homage to individuals who helped shape the City’s heritage. Many of the tall trees that stand in the Square today were planted for the 1883 Centennial Celebrations of the landing of the Loyalists in Saint John.
In 1909, the City Coronet Band donated the unique two-storey bandstand, located in the Square's centre, as a tribute to King Edward VII.
To ensure that your commercial and residential construction, renovation or demolition projects are safe for their intended purpose, the Permitting and Inspection service staff review applications, issue building permits, and conduct inspections.
Building and plumbing codes and related by-laws guide the permitting and inspection process. Our goal is to ensure these standards are met; through education, mediation and, as necessary, through enforcement and prosecution.
Applications and submission packages for permits and licenses
- Accessory Building (Garage, Shed or Gazebo)
- Change of Use Development Permit
- Demolition
- Electrical Waiver
- Fences and Retaining Walls
- Flood Risk Area Development Permit
- Heritage Permits
- Industrial, Institutional Or Commercial Property
- Midrise Combustible Construction
- Minimum Property Standards Permit
- Plumbing Permit
- Residential Property
- Sign Installation
- Street and Sidewalk Related Permits
- Subdivision
Other Helpful Documents:
The Saint John area was nurtured by its first inhabitants, the Mi’kmaq and Maliseet—long before its European discovery.
On a voyage in 1604, Samuel-de-Champlain named the St. John River in honour of St. Jean the Baptiste. Following the American Revolution, 14,000 American British supporters arrived, and in 1783 settled at the mouth of the St. John River. In 1785 this “Loyalist city” was incorporated by Royal Charter, making it Canada’s first incorporated city.
Also referred to as "The Port City”, Saint John became a leading industrial centre in the nineteenth century, mostly due to a robust shipbuilding trade. The city quickly grew, with the largest influx of immigrants occurring during the Irish famine of the 1840s, adding "Canada’s most Irish City” to its list of names.
Since then, the City's harbour has continued to welcome people from across the globe and each group has left an imprint on Saint John through culture, architecture, and people.
The Municipal Plan was the result of a two-year process of planning, research, and extensive community engagement. Thousands of Saint Johners, championed by a thirteen member Citizen Committee of Council which included ten citizens, a member of the City’s Planning Advisory Committee and two members of Common Council helped to shape the plan.
PlanSJ reflects the shared collective vision of our citizens to grow the City smarter, by reinvesting in the Saint John’s urban core neighbourhoods, promoting denser more complete suburban communities and protecting our traditional rural character and landscape. By leveraging existing municipal infrastructure the plan supports more efficient and cost effective development pattern and leverages the City’s unique natural and heritage assets to enrich our quality of life.
The plan also promotes promoting greater choices for moving around the City progressive environmental policies which protect natural areas and promote a more sustainable development pattern overall.
The plan informs City decisions through a zoning bylaw, a legacy of neighbourhood planning and through ongoing monitoring and reporting on the progress of PlanSJ.
The City of Saint John has been providing front facing and support services to residents and businesses for more than two centuries. The current organization structure consists of six service areas, working together to plan and coordinate effective and efficient service delivery.
Growth and Community Services
Providing guidance, direction, and support for development by incorporating Council and community objectives for strategic growth. Initiatives that enhance the quality of life through housing, business investment, heritage and leisure to create a city where people want to live, work and invest.
Service delivery includes: One Stop Development Shop; building inspections; permitting; infrastructure development; community standards and compliance; heritage conservation, planning, growth and community service; arts and culture; and the Saint John City Market.
Transportation and Public Works
Supporting the community vision of a green, accessible city that offers opportunities for physical activity, and ease of transportation including public, active and roads.
Service delivery includes: leisure facilities such as parks and public spaces; roads and sidewalks; parking; solid waste; fleet; urban storm water; and, traffic. Saint John Transit delivers services through a commission.
Strategic Services
By providing strategic insight, guidance, and expertise, this group enables the City to deliver quality public services in an innovative and sustainable way.
Service delivery includes: information technology; corporate performance; communications; government relations; insurance and claims; customer service, finance; and, procurement.
Corporate Services
Corporate Services is the point of contact between the city administration and Common Council. Ensuring the organization is meeting its required obligations and compliance through general counsel, human resources and the City Clerk.
Service delivery includes: City Clerk; human resources; general counsel; real estate; contract administration; and, records and information management.
Public Safety
Public safety protects citizens, property and the environment with a focus on creating safe neighbourhoods, essential to overall quality of life.
Service delivery includes: fire prevention; fire suppression; HAZMAT; and, Saint John Emergency Management Organization. The Saint John Police Force delivers services through a commission.
Utilities and Public Infrastructure
This area is responsible for all facilities, systems, and structures that are owned and operated by the municipality, in this case The City of Saint John. The Saint John Water Utility is committed to providing safe, clean drinking water; protecting the environment through wastewater management; and supporting industry through supply of industrial water.
Service delivery includes: Saint John Water Utility; Public infrastructure and support services such as engineering; climate change programs; GIS; facilities management and asset management. Saint John Energy is governed through a commission.
What is the Central Peninsula Secondary Plan?
The Plan contains a set of policies and actions that will to guide growth and improve the Uptown, South End, and Waterloo Village neighbourhoods and key corridors such as Union Street and Crown Street over the next 30 years. The Central Peninsula Secondary Plan was developed with the tremendous support of the community and Neighbourhood Action team over a period of two years.
In January 2020, the Plan was adopted by Common Council in conjunction with amendments to the Municipal Plan, Zoning By-law, and Heritage Conservation Areas By-law.
The City of Saint John has a large collection of visual art and heritage pieces that have been purchased or donated to the City. This work can be seen within City Hall, as well as various locations throughout the City, including the Saint John Arts Centre, Market Square, and the Saint John Free Public Library.
The art collection includes work by celebrated artists from Saint John including Miller Brittain, Fred Ross, Herzl Kashetsky, and many more.
The City of Saint John currently has two Calls for Arts:
- Call for Indigenous Artists: Deadline to apply December 15th 2023
- 2023 Art Bank Program: Deadline to apply December 18th 2023
Please refer to Related Documents on this page for full details.
Discover urban energy. And outdoor rejuvenation.
Not every getaway offers everything you could dream of. But when you visit Saint John, you can dive into in every experience that makes vacations memorable and rewarding.
Saint John is a stunningly beautiful and historic city. Step back into the past—with every modern indulgence. When you explore our narrow and lovingly preserved uptown city streets, you’ll stumble upon charming boutiques, creative bistros, cozy cafés and cocktail bars, welcoming pubs, and locally-owned galleries. From your hotel or B&B, you’re likely just a short walk from the famously historic Saint John City Market, the delightful Market Square, the stunning Imperial Theatre, and the Trinity Royal Heritage Conservation Area. This is urban adventure at its most cosmopolitan.
Of course, you’ll also be in awe of our natural wonders. Saint John is the only city on the powerful Bay of Fundy, whose tides are the highest in the world. Where the St. John River meets the Bay, you can get a feel for that power—at the Reversing Falls, the tides of the Bay of Fundy actually force the water at the mouth of the river to reverse its flow. Explore the trails of Rockwood Park, the seaside in Irving Nature Park, and the charming urban parks that dot the City’s landscape.
And the best part? Saint John isn’t far. We’re an easy drive from anywhere in the Maritimes, and a short flight from Montreal, Toronto, and Boston. Getting here is easy. And easy is what vacations should be, right?
Harbour Passage is a series of interconnected walking and biking trails, lookouts, and heritage sites that connect the north and west sides of the City to uptown. The cranberry trails provide views of Saint John Harbour and its active port. Interpretive structures and panels along the way bring Saint John’s vibrant shipbuilding and waterfront history to life. Harbour Passage is ideal for walkers, runners, and bikers, and wheelchair users of all ages.
The City of Saint John has won numerous awards as a place to live and for its operations.
Awards for City and/or Its Amenities |
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2017 | 20 of the Most Beautiful Canadian Cities to Live In, Slice.ca | |
2017 | Canada's Best Cities For Jobs And Affordable Homes (#3), Huffington Post | |
2016 | Ten Friendliest Cities in Canada, Conde Nast Travel | |
2013 | Canada’s Great Public Space Award, Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) Saint John City Market | |
2012 | Top 7 Intelligent Communities Award, Intelligent Communities Forum (ICF) | |
2010 | Cultural Capital of Canada Designation, Government of Canada, Canadian Heritage and Official Languages | |
2007 | Happiest City in Canada, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research | |
2006 | Top 10 Cities For Business In Canada, Canadian Business Magazine |
City Organization & Services |
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2017 | Showcase Award for Engineering Excellence, Assoc. of Consulting Engineering Companies –NB (ACEC-NB) – Spruce Lake Barge Facility | |
2016 | GTEC Distinction Award Honouree Honouring Excellence in Government Service Delivery Group 3: Municipal Awards Category 2: Transforming the Business of Government-Internal Received for the Urban Development Incentives Program Web-Mapping App |
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2016 | CAMA Willis Award for Innovation, Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators (CAMA) - One Stop Development Shop | |
2016 | Laserfiche Run Smarter® Award - Best Records Management category | |
2015 | GTEC Distinction Award Medalist Honouring Excellence in Government Service Delivery Group 2: Provincial Awards Category 4: Excellence in Collaboration Received for the City's involvement in the New Brunswick Road Network (NBRN) Project |
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2014 | URISA Exemplary Systems in Government (ESIG) Award, Distinguished System/Single Process System - ZoneSJ Map Viewer | |
2013 | Community Recognition Award, Province of New Brunswick – Saint John Municipal Energy Efficiency Program (MEEP) |
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2013 | Premier's Award for Energy Efficiency, project - Commercial New Construction, One Peel Plaza | |
2012 | Willis Award for Innovation, Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators (CAMA) - PlanSJ | |
2012 | Showcase Award for Engineering Excellence, Assoc. of Consulting Engineering Companies –NB (ACEC-NB) - Eastern Wastewater Treatment Facility | |
2011 | Premier's Award for Energy Efficiency, project - Commercial New Construction, Saint John Transit | |
2011 | Premier's Award for Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency Champion - Commercial Sector, City of Saint John | |
2010 | Milton F. Gregg Conservation Award, Conservation Council of New Brunswick –Saint John Sustainable Energy Management Team | |
2008 | Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM)-CH2M HILL Sustainable Community Award, Energy - Saint John Municipal Energy Efficiency Program (MEEP) |
Opening or growing a business in Saint John.
Nearly 13,000 more people live in Greater Saint John today than lived here in 2011. What accounts for this influx of dynamic people? One undeniable factor is that the City of Saint John is, besides a wonderful place to live, a thriving place to do business. Here, you’ll find—for starters—the head offices of many large multinational corporations; three of the largest IT firms in Atlantic Canada; and an insurance and back office cluster serving North America.
Ihtoli-maqahamok - The Gathering Space [ee-doe-lee MAH-qwah-HA-muck]
For many decades, the space just beyond the intersection of King and Water streets in Uptown Saint John has been used for community gatherings - live music, festivals, and celebrations of all kinds. Now, it is entering a new era of access and expansion.
It is a name that pays homage to the ancestors of the land on which it rests, and to the spirit of the space and the way it has been and will be used: as a place of community and gathering.
As part of the City's waterfront development, Ihtoli-maqahamok – The Gathering Space, is being reinvigorated and reimagined, with the addition of a community skating rink, indoor/outdoor patios, an expanded stage for concerts, film screenings, and other special events. It also includes space for craft and food vendors, and easy access to enjoy the waterfront.
The design elements of Ihtoli-magahamok – The Gathering Space are rooted in three foundations of Saint John: the people, the water, and the rocks. It will be a significant landmark and a place of togetherness. A destination, and a meeting place for locals and visitors to come together.
The City of Saint John would like to thank all those involved in naming and bringing this space to life. The naming process was a multi-phased community effort, with help from Saint John residents, the City’s Civic Commemoration Committee, Common Council, and First Nations’ leaders and Elders from the Wolastoqey Nation in New Brunswick (WNNB).
The Committee acknowledges that this space is important to the Loyalist heritage in the region, which will be recognized through interpretive panels in the area and the meaning of the new name.
Community grants are available to non-profit organizations in the City of Saint John to support inclusive quality of life services and initiatives that align with Saint John Common Council priorities, vision and goals.
Since 2015, the Community Grants Program has granted over $1 Million to local organizations whose services foster community engagement, promote healthy, active and inclusive communities, support diversity and accessibility, and deliver activities to meet the social, cultural and recreational needs of residents.
The grant envelope is determined within the City of Saint John annual General Fund Operating Budget. A call for applications follows the approval of the budget by Common Council, which generally takes place by mid-December.
Purpose & Objectives
The Operational Funding Grant assists with the general administrative expenses of an organization
- Supports the City of Saint John in its ongoing pursuit to be a community of choice for all and promote economic health to residents and visitors.
- Enhances the ability of organizations that deliver important social, wellness and quality of life support to all residents of the City of Saint John.
- Encourages innovation, sustainability and cooperation through the various organizations within the City of Saint John.
- Upholds and advances the terms of Council Priorities, PlanSJ and/or PlaySJ.
Eligibility
Eligible funding activities under Organizational Support includes: rent, utilities, human resources, office supplies, essential travel, fundraising activities and information technology upgrades.
The following are ineligible for grant funds:
- Individuals or corporations seeking funding.
- Lobbying of federal, provincial and municipal governments.
- Activities or initiatives outside of the City of Saint John.
- Expenditures that occurred prior to the application.
- Funding of deficits or debts.
- Free or discounted tickets to an event.
- Fellowships, scholarships or bursaries.
The Community Grants Evaluation Committee will assess applications according to a pre-established evaluation matrix, which will score the application on a variety of variables, including, but not limited to:
- Innovation.
- Likelihood of accomplishing stated outcomes.
- Link to Council Priorities.
- Long-term benefits/impacts.
- Level of community support.
- Ability to generate cooperation between citizens and other organizations.
- Ability to acquire other sources of funding/in-kind support.
- Sustainability of business plan or development plan.
Purpose & Objectives
The Community Project Grant is designed to distribute seed funding for the start-up of projects, and/or funds for a short-term undertaking with a clear start and completion date.
- Support the City of Saint John in its ongoing pursuit to be a community of choice for residents and visitors.
- Enhance the ability of organizations that deliver important social, wellness and quality of life support to the residents of the City of Saint John.
- Encourage innovation, sustainability and cooperation in the delivery of Community Projects in the City of Saint John.
- Uphold and advance the terms of Council Priorities, Plan SJ and/or Play SJ.
Eligibility
The following are ineligible for grant funds:
- Individuals or corporations seeking funding.
- Lobbying of federal, provincial and municipal governments.
- Activities or initiatives outside of the City of Saint John.
- Expenditures that occurred prior to the application.
- Funding of deficits or debts.
- Free or discounted tickets to an event.
- Fundraising events.
- Fellowships, scholarships or bursaries.
- Conferences or professional development.
Application Requirements & Evaluation
- Applications must demonstrate:
- Fundraising and community partnership.
- The number of residents/visitors impacted by the project.
- How the Community Project responds to interest from the broader community.
- Specific outcomes to be achieved.
- Projected budget including sources and use of funds/in-kind support.
- Timelines for implementation of the project.
The Community Grants Evaluation Committee will assess applications according to a pre-established evaluation matrix, which will score the application on a variety of variables, including, but not limited to:
- Innovation.
- Likelihood of accomplishing stated outcomes.
- Link to Council Priorities.
- Long-term benefits/impacts.
- Level of community support.
- Ability to generate cooperation between citizens and other organizations.
- Ability to acquire other sources of funding/in-kind support.
- Sustainability of business plan or development plan.
Purpose & Objectives
The Special Events Grant is designed to support events that are of cultural, sport, social or recreational significance to the Saint John community.
- Support the City of Saint John in its ongoing pursuit to be a community of choice for residents and visitors.
- To support events that result in important cultural, environmental, heritage, sport, recreational, educational and financial returns for the City of Saint John.
- To encourage innovation, sustainability and cooperation in the delivery of Special Events in the City of Saint John.
- Uphold and advance the terms of Council Priorities, Plan SJ and/or Play SJ.
Eligibility
The following are ineligible for grant funds:
- Individuals or corporations seeking funding.
- Lobbying of federal, provincial and municipal governments.
- Activities or initiatives outside of the City of Saint John.
- Expenditures that occurred prior to the application.
- Funding of deficits or debts.
- Free or discounted tickets to an event.
- Fundraising events.
- Fellowships, scholarships or bursaries.
- Conferences or professional development.
Application Requirements & Evaluation
- Applications must demonstrate:
- Event identifies a community need or priority
- The number of residents/visitors impacted by the event.
- Event supported by community partners, sponsors and stakeholders.
- Specific outcomes to be achieved.
- Projected budget including sources and use of funds/in-kind support.
The Community Grants Evaluation Committee will assess applications according to a pre-established evaluation matrix, which will score the application on a variety of variables, including, but not limited to:
- Innovation.
- Likelihood of accomplishing stated outcomes.
- Link to Council Priorities.
- Long-term benefits/impacts.
- Level of community support.
- Ability to generate cooperation between citizens and other organizations.
- Ability to acquire other sources of funding/in-kind support.
- Sustainability of business plan or development plan (for repeated/annual event)