A few more stringent requirements are now a part of the city’s façade grant program.

The Suffolk Economic Development Authority made the changes to the program at its Wednesday meeting. The program is designed to help commercial property owners in certain areas of the city rehabilitate their buildings and properties. The owners receive up to 50 percent of the cost of improvements reimbursed after the project is completed, up to a maximum of $10,000.

One of the main changes requires applicants to obtain two estimates of the project before work begins and submit them with their application. In addition, simply painting the exterior of a building no longer qualifies, but painting does qualify if it is done in conjunction with some other rehabilitation work.

Business owners in downtown’s Historic Conservation Overlay District, in the villages and along the city’s “gateway corridors” — Portsmouth Boulevard, Washington Street, Holland Road, Pruden Boulevard, Nansemond Parkway and Carolina Road — are eligible to use the program. They can improve their signage and awnings, and repair or replace their windows, bricks or masonry, siding and doors using the grant. The funds cannot be used for regular maintenance.

In addition, business owners must be in good standing with the city on taxes, business license fees and other items and must obtain all needed permits before payment is rendered. Each address or building is eligible to receive only one grant in its lifetime.

For more information on the façade grant program, visit www.yessuffolk.com.