Heritage Grants - Heritage Façade Rehabilitation Program

Who is eligible?

• Privately owned commercial building owners
• Privately owned non-commercial building owners, including non-profits
• Tenants of eligible heritage buildings (with owner consent)

Who is not eligible

• Buildings not listed on the Vancouver Heritage Register.
• Properties constructed primarily of wood-frame or materials other than unreinforced masonry.
• Publicly owned buildings (only privately owned properties are eligible).
• Properties with owners in arrears on property tax payments.
• Applicants seeking retroactive funding for already completed work.

Eligible expenses

• Conservation and repair of ground floor storefronts.
• Seismic stabilization of major projecting architectural components (such as cornices, parapets, historic signs).
• Conservation of building envelope materials (including brick, stone, or wood).
• Restoration or repair of windows and doors on the principal façade.
• Conservation or repair of exterior architectural features, historic signs, and awnings.
• Architectural lighting on principal façades.
• Consultant fees and application preparation costs (only for successful applications).

Eligible geographic areas

• City of Vancouver, British Columbia

• Level and quality of heritage conservation work proposed.
• Seismic stabilization work proposed.
• Rehabilitation of ground floor for active uses.
• Relationship of building to groupings of heritage buildings.
• Compliance with design guidelines, conservation standards and principles, and by-laws.
• Amount of incentive being sought as a proportion of capital investment (projects proposing a higher level of private investment are considered more favourably).

• Step 1: Initial Inquiry and Consultation
  • Contact City heritage staff to discuss your project concept.
  • Receive feedback and guidance on the heritage conservation requirements and application process.
• Step 2: Application Preparation
  • Review the Heritage Façade Rehabilitation Program's Policies and Procedures and the Step-by-Step Guide for completing the application form.
  • Prepare a completed application form along with a cover letter describing the proposed rehabilitation work.
  • Compile supporting documentation, including:
    • Statement of Significance for the building
    • Conservation Plan outlining proposed conservation procedures
    • Architectural drawings and coloured renderings showing existing and proposed conditions
    • A minimum of three competitive cost estimates for the proposed work
• Step 3: Submit Application
  • Submit the application form and all required documentation through the designated online platform (with the option to "save and continue").
• Step 4: City Review and Assessment
  • City staff, along with the community advisory committee, review the application for compliance with program policies, by-laws, regulations, and incentive criteria.
  • Receive feedback and any requests for additional information or revisions.
• Step 5: Preliminary Decision and City Council Approval
  • Staff provide a recommendation on your application, considering input from the public and advisory bodies.
  • City Council reviews and votes on the grant approval (requiring a two-thirds majority).
• Step 6: Permit Issuance and Legal Agreements
  • Upon City Council approval, staff issue development and heritage alteration permits as applicable.
  • Legal agreements, including covenants for ongoing façade maintenance, are registered on the property title.
• Step 7: Obtain Additional Permits
  • Apply for and secure any additional permits required to undertake construction (such as building permits).
• Step 8: Construction and Rehabilitation
  • Commence and complete the approved façade rehabilitation and conservation work in accordance with the permits and legal agreements.
• Step 9: Project Completion and Verification
  • Notify City staff upon completion of the project.
  • Submit a Letter of Completion along with supporting documents such as financial summaries, invoices, and the Occupancy Permit (if applicable).
  • City staff, and a heritage consultant, conduct a site visit to verify that the work complies with the approved scope and standards.
• Step 10: Grant Disbursement
  • City staff review final documentation and, upon satisfactory completion, authorize the electronic release of grant funds.

• The program covers 50% of eligible costs, up to a maximum of $50,000 per principal façade.
• Tenants may apply with the written consent of the property owner.
• Buildings on corner sites may be eligible for grants for more than one principal façade.
• Applicants are responsible for all costs associated with preparing and submitting an application; these may be partially recoverable if the application is successful.