Main Navigation

Heritage Funding

Our designated heritage property grant program assists designated property owners with the conservation of our cultural heritage resources.

Owners of property designated under the Ontario Heritage Act may be eligible to receive grants toward the conservation of their property. Grants are available to cover 50 per cent of the cost of eligible projects from a minimum of $500 to a maximum of $3,000.

Eligibility

Eligible projects fall into three general categories:

Repair of deteriorated original elements such as doors and windows, masonry, roofing materials (excluding asphalt shingle roofs), and other significant features.
Accurate restoration of original building features using materials, sizes and detail that match the original.
Restoration of significant architectural features which have been lost, but for which appearances can be clearly determined from documentary sources. Documentary sources must relate directly to the property for which funding is requested and not merely to similar properties. The documentation must be in the form of historic drawings, photographs or other sources clearly showing or describing the feature(s) to be restored.

Ineligible projects include but are not limited to:

Projects of a non-historic nature such as the introduction of new features (i.e. a building addition or storm windows); or work on existing features that are not specifically identified in the heritage attributes or which are not regarded as having heritage significance.
Work in which the quality is unsatisfactory, poor or defective with minor and/or major problems. Examples include a paint job which fails because of improper surface preparation; or masonry joints which have been cut out using power tools or other inappropriate methods.
Short-term, routine maintenance such as minor repairs (i.e. repairing a broken step or a broken window), most paint jobs, or the repair of non-original siding or roofing materials.
Landscaping.
Repair, replacement or installation of asphalt shingles.

Please review our administrative procedures and operating guidelines for a full list of eligible and ineligible projects.

The property owner must consult with our heritage planner as early as possible in the process of planning a project. This pre-consultation is required to avoid ineligible proposals, delays in the processing of an application, and also establishes whether a heritage permit is required.

Application Process

The applicant shall complete a designated heritage property grant application to our heritage planner or designate by the last business day of March for the calendar year for which the grant is requested.

The application shall include all details necessary for a full understanding of the proposed project (e.g. materials and methods to be used, dimensions, etc.).

We may request additional plans, specifications, documentary evidence, drawings or photos to complete the application.

The approximate cost of the proposed work as identified by written estimates shall also be included with the application.

Grants will be awarded, subject to available funding, with priority given to conservation work that addresses the structural needs of the property.

Heritage Tax Refunds

Owners of property designated under the Ontario Heritage Act and subject to a heritage conservation easement agreement or a preservation and maintenance agreement on a built heritage resource may be eligible to receive up to a 40 per cent refund of the taxes for municipal and school purposes levied on their eligible heritage property.

For more information, please contact Michelle Drake, heritage planner, at 519-741-2839.

Sub Navigation