Updated 6/10/2026
Funding is still available.
The Storefront Security Fund provides a one-time reimbursement of up to $10,000 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 2026 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.
- Lighting
- Security window film
- Window planters
- Laminated glass “shatter-proof” window
- Repair of existing awning or new storefront awning
- Business and wayfinding signs (open, close, enter, exit, operating hours)
- Address labeling
- Defensive landscaping near access points (rose / holly bushes)
- Permitted street planters (see street furniture guidelines)
- Scissor gate
- Window folding security gate
- Deadbolts
- Window locks
- Alarm systems (equipment only, not monitoring services, and not including security cameras)
Ineligible expenses
- Graffiti removal
- Purchase of security cameras
- Reimbursement for security personnel
- Loss of stolen goods or services
Follow these required steps to apply for this fund:
Step 1: Schedule your free CPTED Security Assessment with your local crime prevention coordinator.
- To schedule a CPTED security assessment, determine your local Crime Prevention Coordinator online (CPC) and send them an email and include:
- The name of your business
- Your business address
- Note that you are requesting a CPTED security assessment for the Back to Business Program.
Step 2: Complete your CPTED Security Assessment and consider recommendations made by your CPC.
- During your CPTED Security Assessment, your CPC will do a walk-through of your business with you. You will be asked to take notes of what is discussed. You will not receive a formal written assessment as a part of this process.
Step 3: Make plans for your purchase, keeping in mind the total maximum reimbursement of $10,000.
- Get any necessary permits for your security upgrades.
- Optional: Contact our office at (206) 684-8090 or at OED@seattle.gov to discuss the security upgrades you would like to make and ask any questions.
- 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 | seattle.gov
Step 4: Make your purchase(s) and collect evidence of payment (invoices with a balance of zero and/or receipts).
- Examples of valid expense documentation include an itemized invoice paired with evidence of payment that matches the dollar amount. Acceptable forms of evidence include, but are not limited to:
- Evidence of invoice that clearly shows the balance was paid in full.
- Evidence of invoice, quote, or estimate, paired with evidence of cashed check.
- Evidence of invoice, quote, or estimate, paired with bank statement or credit card statement with purchase highlighted.
- We will need to see what was purchased, the date of the purchase, and that the purchase is complete.
Step 5: Submit your application for reimbursement online.
Please review the full eligibility criteria, required documentation, and other information below before applying.
Applications are open through December 2026, 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 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.
- If you have any questions, please reach out directly to City Finance at tax@seattle.gov or call 1 (206) 684-8484" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(206) 684-8484.
- 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.
- Both an itemized invoice and evidence of payment are required for a complete application to be considered for funding.
- Estimates, quotes, and/or invoices that do not show evidence of payment 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 happens after I apply?
After you apply, you will receive an email confirmation from OED_BackToBusiness@seattle.gov. You will be notified via email if we need additional information to complete your application. After your application is complete, you will receive two documents for e-signature via AdobeSign. After you complete the e-signatures, we will mail you a check to the mailing address listed on your W-9. For complete applications, the application review process may take up to four weeks. Applications missing information or requiring follow up will take longer to process.
Note: Our staff will contact applicants via phone or an email ending in @seattle.gov. Businesses can verify the identity of the staff by calling our office at (206) 684-8090.
2. What is the difference between the Storefront Repair Fund and the Storefront Security Fund?
The Storefront Repair Fund helps with the reimbursement of repairs due to damage from vandalism or other property damage. Learn more about the Storefront Repair Fund.
The Storefront Security Fund helps with the reimbursement of preventative security measures.
3. 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) 684-4243.
- 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, a waiver requesting SPU Graffiti Rangers or volunteers to clean the property will be sent via email after reporting the graffiti.
- Additional information about the City’s Graffiti Prevention and Removal Program is available on this page.
4. Storefront Security Grants are $10,000. Will there be any chance of a grant exceeding that limit in special circumstances, such as multiple investments that need to be made?
We recognize that the cost of security measures may be more than $10,000. However, grants will be limited to $10,000 so the City can help as many businesses as possible.
5. 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. Property managers and landlords are not eligible for funding, but they may encourage their tenants to apply.
6. 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’, the process 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.
7. Are cannabis businesses eligible to apply?
Yes, cannabis shops, growers, and dispensaries can apply, provided they meet the other eligibility criteria.
8. How will grant recipients be selected?
We will review and process applications as they come in. Applicants will be issued a reimbursement grant if they meet the eligibility requirements and if funding is available.
9. Do awardees need to pay the money back?
No, this is a grant. Businesses are not required to pay the money back.
10. Do the grants count as taxable income?
No, the grants are not taxable income.
11. Do part-time employees count as employees?
Yes, any person on payroll counts as an employee.
12. What is the source of funding for the Storefront Security Fund?
The Storefront Security Fund is funded by the Payroll Expense Tax.
13. 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 and can provide documentary evidence of the expenses.
14. How will applicants receive the funding?
Eligible applicants will receive a check in the mail to the mailing address listed on their W-9. You will have the option to receive checks in person if needed.
15. What if I previously applied to the Storefront Security Fund program, but the total cost of my expenses exceeded the previous Security Fund grant threshold of $6,000?
Applicants who previously applied to the program with a total sum of expenses that exceeded the previous Security Fund grant threshold of $6,000 will be contacted by a member of the Back to Business team by Thursday, September 10, 2026.
Only applicants who provided expense documentation with a total sum equaling more than $6,000 will be eligible to receive a supplemental reimbursement grant. For example, if you previously applied, but only submitted receipts that totaled up to $6,000 or less, you will not be eligible to receive a supplemental reimbursement grant.
Please contact the Back to Business team at OED_BackToBusiness@seattle.gov if you have any questions about the process.
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, please contact our office at (206) 684-8090 or at OED@seattle.gov.