Town of Oakville — Heritage Grant Program

Who is eligible?

• Owners of properties designated or protected under Part IV or Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act.
• Owners of properties covered by a heritage easement agreement for long-term protection.
• A non-profit community group may apply as the owner's agent if it has assumed responsibility for maintenance under a long-term lease or legal agreement and provides a letter of consent from the owner.

Who is not eligible

• Properties listed in Section F – Register of Properties of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest (Not Designated).
• Heritage resources owned or used by any level of government, except where a non-profit community group applies as the owner's agent under a long-term lease or legal agreement.

Eligible expenses

• Repairs to structural support elements, including foundations, roofs, eaves troughs, exterior walls, and other serious structural faults.
• Work on porches, verandahs, cupolas, and columns.
• Exterior cladding work such as clapboard, wood shingles, stucco, board and batten, and masonry, including removal of non-heritage siding and detailing and associated repairs.
• Repairs to historic windows and doors, including screen doors and storm windows, and replacement wood storm windows.
• Decorative architectural detailing, millwork and trim, masonry and stonework cleaning or repair, and re-painting of heritage features in appropriate period colours.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Works that focus on non-heritage attributes, additions, spaces, features, or finishes, or any work that might diminish the cultural heritage value of the property.
• Repairs and upgrades ordered as a result of non-compliance with property standards by-laws and other applicable by-laws, regulations, and legislation.
• Re-insulating, new heating or cooling systems, other energy efficiency upgrades, mechanical or electrical system improvements, and removal of asbestos, mould, urea formaldehyde, or other contaminants.
• Landscaping and fencing, driveway paving and repairs, minor repairs or routine household maintenance, non-heritage awnings and signage, sandblasting or other damaging cleaning methods, and moving of structures.
• Works on existing non-heritage additions, sheds, or outbuildings, interior features not specifically listed in a designation by-law, architectural and engineering services, feasibility studies, cost estimates, preparation of drawings, and any work started or completed before grant approval.

Eligible geographic areas

• Old Oakville Heritage Conservation District
• First and Second Street Heritage Conservation District
• Trafalgar Road Heritage Conservation District
• Downtown Oakville Heritage Conservation District

• Priority is given to applications for the restoration of heritage attributes of the designated property.

• Contact heritage planning staff to determine the basic eligibility of the proposed project.
• Arrange an informal pre-consultation meeting with staff to confirm project eligibility.
• Obtain the application form from Heritage Planning staff after eligibility is confirmed.
• Complete the required application form and include all required materials.
• If the applicant is not the owner, include a letter of consent from the property owner.
• Submit the application materials before the posted deadline, and submit a heritage permit application if required.

• Heritage planning staff determine whether submitted applications are complete before the program deadline.
• Complete applications are evaluated with a working group from the Heritage Oakville Advisory Committee, which prepares recommended projects for the full committee.
• Final approval is given by Town Council.
• Successful applicants are notified after final approval.
• Completed projects are inspected before grant money is released, and staff may require additional work or corrections before payment.