Updated 8/6/2025
The Storefront Security Fund provides a one-time reimbursement of up to $6,000 per business to help pay for security improvements that prevent vandalism and property damage.
To qualify, businesses must complete a Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) security assessment with a certified expert, such as a Crime Prevention Coordinator from the Seattle Police Department. Only security measures purchased after the CPTED security assessment is complete are eligible for reimbursement.
Applications are open through December 2025 or until funds run out.
You can get reimbursed for the expenses listed below, as well as other investments informed by Crime Prevention through Environmental Design. We encourage you to purchase investments based on suggestions from the Crime Prevention Coordinator during your CPTED security assessment. If you have any questions about eligible expenses, contact our office.
- Temporary window or door board up
- Window repair or replacement
- Door repair or replacement
- Gate repair or replacement
- Exterior light repair or replacement
- Doors
- Locks
- Signs
- Security window film
- Shatterproof glass
- Permitted street planters. See street furniture guidelines.
If your business is located in a historic district, you may also need to get a Certificate of Approval prior to purchasing a CPTED related investment. Check if your business is in a historic district here: Historic Districts - Neighborhoods.
Applications are open through December 2025, or until funds run out.
Please review the full eligibility criteria, required documentation, and other information below before applying. You can also review this document with the application questions before applying: Back to Business Fund Application Questions Guide.
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To qualify for the Storefront Security Fund, eligible businesses must:
- Receive a CPTED security assessment.
- Purchase an eligible CPTED informed security investment after a CPTED security assessment.
- Have an active City of Seattle Business License.
- Be in compliance with all federal, state, and city laws and regulations.
- Be located in Seattle city limits.
- Be an independently owned, non-franchise, and non-chain business.
- Be a for-profit business or a nonprofit entity, 501(c)(3), 501(c)(6), or 501(c)(19).
- Have no more than three (3) locations.
- Currently open and active for business.
Additional criteria:
- Each business location, owner, or identifier (like EIN, SSN, UBI number, Business License number, home, and/or business address) can only submit one application.
- Business must be in operation for at least 12 months prior to date of application submission.
- Business must operate from a physical location and/or mobile truck that serves the public.
- If awarded, businesses must complete a W-9.
Criteria by business size:
- Business must have no more than 50 full-time equivalent employees.
- Business must make more than $1,000 and not exceed $7 million in annual net revenue as reported in Business and Occupation taxes to the City of Seattle Department of Finance and Administrative Services in 2024.
Businesses NOT eligible to apply for the Storefront Security Fund include:
- Business located in unincorporated King County.
- Franchise or chain businesses.
- “Adult entertainment” businesses regulated under Seattle Municipal Code 6.270.
- The business is a short- or long-term rental or investment property (personal real estate and independent realtors; short-term rentals that include Airbnb, Vrbo, etc.).
- The business is a taxi, rideshare, or food delivery service (e.g., Uber, Lyft, Yellow Cab, Door Dash, Uber Eats, etc.).
Storefront Security Fund online applications will be accepted, reviewed, and processed as they come in.
You can review this document with the application questions before applying: Back to Business Fund Application Questions Guide.
Eligible applicants will need the following information to submit their application:
- Unified Business Identifier number (nine digits).
- You receive a Unified Business Identifier number when you apply for your Washington State Business License. You can search for your Unified Business Identifier number online through the Washington State Department of Revenue.
- City Business License number (four to six digits).
- If you are doing business in Seattle, you must have a Seattle Business License tax certificate, also known as a City Business License number. You must renew this certificate each year by December 31.
- This City Business License number is separate from the Washington State Business License. If you cannot find your number on the City Business License Find a Business search tool, you may only have a Washington State License.
- You can apply for a City Business License and renew online at filelocal-wa.gov or by mail.
- Completed CPTED security assessment.
- To schedule a CPTED security assessment, determine your local Crime Prevention Coordinator online and send them an email. Include the name of your business, your business address, and note that you are requesting a CPTED security assessment for the Back to Business Program.
- A list of eligible investments is available here.
- Proof of payment for eligible CPTED investments.
- Provide copies of receipts and/or invoices for purchases of eligible CPTED informed investments. A list of eligible investments is available here.
- Estimates and/or quotes will not be accepted.
- The Storefront Security Fund operates under a reimbursement model, which means applicants already purchased eligible equipment or paid for eligible installations.
- If you have any questions about eligible expenses, please contact our office.
The Storefront Security Fund application must be submitted online in English.
Translation or interpretation support
We have bilingual staff available to answer questions and help you complete your application.
To request translation or interpretation services, you can call (206) 684-8090. Please leave a voicemail with your name, phone number, preferred language, and the type of support needed.
Additional help with application
Our office is dedicated to creating an accessible and inclusive economy that works for everyone in Seattle by ensuring all communities have access to economic opportunities. If you need help, translation, disability accommodations, or materials in a different format, contact our office at (206) 684-8090 or at OED@seattle.gov.
1. What is the difference between the Storefront Repair Fund and the Storefront Security Fund?
The Storefront Repair Fund helps with the reimbursement of damages from vandalism or other property damage. Learn more about the Storefront Repair Fund.
The Storefront Security Fund helps with the reimbursement preventative security measures.
2. Will the Storefront Security Fund grants be limited to purchases for preventive security measures?
Funding can only be used for purchases related to preventive security measures made after a CPTED security assessment is completed. Possible eligible purchases include temporary window or door board up, window repair or replacement, door repair or replacement, gate repair or replacement, doors, locks, signs, security window film, and shatterproof glass. The Storefront Security funding does not cover graffiti removal, purchase of security cameras, reimbursement for security personnel, or loss of stolen goods.
If you want to apply for funding to repair your storefront, please follow the prompts in the application. More information about the Storefront Repair Fund is available here.
If you see graffiti in a public place or on private property, you can report it by:
- Using the Find It/Fix It app, the online report form, or by calling the City’s Graffiti Report Line at (206) 684-7587.
- For graffiti on private property, the property owners are responsible for the removal of graffiti on their property. However, if the owner wants help from the City to remove the graffiti, they can fill out the Permission and Release Form for free graffiti removal.
For further information about graffiti removal and abatement, please review this Graffiti Prevention and Removal brochure.
3. Storefront Security Grants are $6,000. Will there be any chance of a grant exceeding that limit in special circumstances, such as multiple investments need to be made?
We recognize that the cost of security measures may be more than $6,000. However, grants will be limited to $6,000 so the City can help as many businesses as possible.
4. What type of businesses qualify for this funding?
For-profit business or nonprofit entities, 501(c)(3), 501(c)(6), or 501(c)(19), that have brick-and-mortar, ground floor storefronts that serve the public as well as food trucks qualify for the Storefront Security Fund. All applicants must have an up-to-date City of Seattle business license.
5. What is Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design?
Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design is a place-based and multi-disciplinary approach to preventing crime using design and management of the built environment to influence human behavior to deter crime by increasing potential offender’s sense of risk. Pronounced ‘sep-ted’, CPTED reduces victimization, increases the perception of safety, and recognizes the important role of community in creating and maintaining safe spaces.
CPTED provides a framework for assessing both the physical and social environment of places and how they are used to identify activity patterns and conflicting uses, distinguish cultural and historical influences and the types and levels of guardianship present.
See the Seattle Police Department’s webpage on CPTED and this flyer for more information.
6. Are cannabis businesses eligible to apply?
Yes, cannabis shops, growers, and dispensaries can apply, provided they meet the other eligibility criteria.
7. How will grant recipients be selected?
We will review and process applications as they come in. To help small businesses that have likely experienced the greatest economic impacts, we will give priority to the following groups:
Small businesses owned by Black, Indigenous, and people of color.
Woman-owned small business.
Small businesses located in a highly distressed census tract with a minimum of 30% poverty or not exceeding 60% median income. Note: These areas meet the Small Business Administration’s definition of "low-income communities."
Note: Our staff will contact applicants via phone with an area code of 206 or email ending in @seattle.gov. You can verify the identity of the staff by calling at (206) 684-8090.
8. Do awardees need to pay the money back?
No, this is a grant. Businesses are not required to pay the money back.
9. Do the grants count as taxable income?
No, the grants are not taxable income.
10. Do part-time employees count as employees?
Yes, any person on payroll counts as an employee.
11. What is the source of funding for the Storefront Security Fund?
The Storefront Security Fund is funded by the Payroll Expense Tax.
12. Can applicants receive the funding before making a purchase?
No. The Back to Business Program operates under a reimbursement model, which means applicants already purchased equipment or paid for repairs.
13. How will applicants receive the funding?
Eligible applicants will receive a check in the mail. You will have the option to receive checks in person if needed.
Our office is dedicated to creating an accessible and inclusive economy that works for everyone in Seattle by ensuring all communities have access to economic opportunities.
The City of Seattle encourages everyone to participate in its programs and activities. If you need help, translation, disability accommodations, or materials in a different format, contact our office at (206) 684-8090 or at OED@seattle.gov.