Closed
Heritage grants - Heritage Incentive Program
Supports conservation and seismic upgrades of designated heritage buildings
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
$ 4,000,000
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Location
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Overview
The Heritage Incentive Program provides grants of up to $4 million per building to support the conservation and seismic upgrading of heritage-designated buildings in Vancouver. Eligible activities include the retention, restoration, and rehabilitation of historic structures primarily constructed of unreinforced masonry.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Renovate or expand facilities
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 4,000,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Real estate and rental and leasing
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration
Location
- Vancouver
- British Columbia
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Canadians
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Culture and Arts
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Housing
- Religious Congregations and Associations
Target groups
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Nonprofits / charities
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Local
- Municipal
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Heritage conservation of designated buildings, including structural and seismic upgrades.
- Comprehensive restoration or rehabilitation of heritage buildings, ensuring retention and continued use.
- Conservation and maintenance of key architectural features, both exterior and interior, as part of a long-term preservation strategy.
- Adaptive re-use of heritage buildings to support cultural, social, or housing objectives while maintaining their historic character.
- Sustainable rehabilitation projects that integrate heritage value preservation with modern environmental practices.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Privately owned commercial building owners
- Non-commercial building owners
- Non-profit organizations operating eligible buildings
- Owners of buildings used for residential, industrial, institutional, or religious/spiritual purposes
Who is not eligible
- Single-family and duplex dwellings, multi-family conversions, row-houses, and similar smaller building typologies that are primarily of wood-frame construction (these may be eligible under a different program).
- Major redevelopment projects offering low retention levels of existing heritage structures or significantly altering heritage resources to accommodate new construction.
- Buildings/sites that have already received City incentives (such as zoning variances, density transfers, property tax exemptions, or grants) through past redevelopment, rehabilitation, or rezoning processes.
- Properties with façade-only retention proposals (facadism) as the main conservation approach.
- Applicants in arrears on property taxes or in contravention of City bylaws.
Eligible expenses
- Construction costs directly related to heritage conservation as defined by the approved conservation plan.
- Seismic and structural upgrade costs.
- Life-safety building system upgrade costs.
- Professional consultant fees for heritage evaluation, including the development of a Statement of Significance (SOS).
- Costs of preparing a conservation plan.
- Professional fees for structural and seismic assessment reports and upgrade proposals.
- Other professional assessment reports required for project approval.
- Costs for a quantity surveyor to prepare or certify cost estimates and provide final financial summary documentation.
Eligible geographic areas
- Businesses located in Vancouver (British Columbia), listed on the Vancouver Heritage Register.
Additional information
- The grant amount is calculated at $100 per square foot of total floor area, up to a maximum of 50% of eligible conservation costs and capped at $4 million per building.
- Transferable Heritage Density incentives may be available for sites in specific historic areas such as Gastown, Chinatown, Victory Square, and the Hastings Street Corridor, under certain conditions.
- Any conservation work funded under the program must be completed within three years from the date of legal agreement registration; a one-year extension is permissible in exceptional circumstances if requested within the initial period.
- The completion of work and final grant release is contingent on submission and approval of a comprehensive completion package and a successful site verification by city staff.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Heritage grants - Heritage Incentive Program Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Heritage grants - Heritage Incentive Program. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Heritage grants - Heritage Incentive Program?
The Heritage Incentive Program provides grants of up to $4 million per building to support the conservation and seismic upgrading of heritage-designated buildings in Vancouver. Eligible activities include the retention, restoration, and rehabilitation of historic structures primarily constructed of unreinforced masonry.
How much funding can be received?
Heritage grants - Heritage Incentive Program Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $4,000,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Heritage grants - Heritage Incentive Program program?
To be eligible for the Heritage grants - Heritage Incentive Program program, you must:
Privately owned commercial buildings, including by for-profit businesses
Listed on the Vancouver Heritage Register and legally protected by a heritage designation bylaw
Constructed primarily of unreinforced masonry
What expenses are eligible under Heritage grants - Heritage Incentive Program?
Heritage conservation of designated buildings, including structural and seismic upgrades.
Comprehensive restoration or rehabilitation of heritage buildings, ensuring retention and continued use.
Conservation and maintenance of key architectural features, both exterior and interior, as part of a long-term preservation strategy.
Adaptive re-use of heritage buildings to support cultural, social, or housing objectives while maintaining their historic character.
Sustainable rehabilitation projects that integrate heritage value preservation with modern environmental practices.
Who can I contact for more information about the Heritage grants - Heritage Incentive Program?
You can contact City of Vancouver by email at elijah.sabadlan@vancouver.ca or by phone at 604-873-7056.
Where is the Heritage grants - Heritage Incentive Program available?
The Heritage grants - Heritage Incentive Program program is available the province of British Columbia.
Is the Heritage grants - Heritage Incentive Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Heritage grants - Heritage Incentive Program is a Grant and Funding