Financial & Rehabilitation Incentives

Incentives may be available to property owners for the rehabilitation and maintenance of designated Municipal Historic Resources, in accordance with Edmonton's Historic Policy.

Incentives may include:

• Municipal property tax incentives;
• Direct grant payments for specific rehabilitation costs;
• Ongoing maintenance financial incentives;
• Zoning regulation variances; or
• Other incentives or relaxations deemed appropriate by City Council.

Buildings that are already designated are eligible for ongoing maintenance incentives from the City and Province

Upon receipt of the application the amount of work to restore the building is determined and an agreement between the owner and City is made. This agreement outlines the incentive level agreed upon and what portions of the building are to be protected by caveat.

Financial Incentives are awarded according to the following for eligible work:

Residential Buildings		Commercial Buildings
Rehabilitation Incentive	50% of project costs, to a max of $75000	Rehabilitation Incentive	50% of project costs
Maintenance Incentive	30% of project costs, to a max of $10000, renewable every 5 years	Maintenance Incentive	30% of project costs, to a maximum of $50000, renewable every 5 years

 

 

Rehabilitation Incentive Qualification

To qualify for rehabilitation incentives the following conditions must be met:

1. The structure must be listed on the Register of Historic Resources in Edmonton and therefore be designated as a Municipal Historic Resource by Bylaw.

2. The owner must agree to enter into a Maintenance Agreement with the City.

3. The owner must agree to have the Designation Bylaw and Maintenance Agreement registered as the first caveat on the title of the land of the designated resources.

4. The Owner must agree to rezone the property to DC1 (Direct Control Provision) at no cost. The zoning fees are waived.

5. The proposed rehabilitation should conform to The Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada.

Eligible Work

Incentives are primarily provided for exterior rehabilitation work. However, in some circumstances, incentives maybe provided for interior spaces. Typically, rehabilitation incentives are available for:

• Exterior restoration and archival repairs, reconstruction of the building's heritage elements.
• Exterior cleaning, preparation and painting.
• Windows, storm windows and doors, repair and selective replacement.
• Porch repair, woodwork and selective replacement.
• Some structural work may be eligible - roofs, chimneys, foundations, and structural upgrading (in exceptional circumstances) if it contributes to the overall historic character of the resource.
• Consideration maybe given to some energy retrofitting or upgrading

Ineligible Work

Examples of ineligible work include:

• Interior demolition.
• Soft costs including administrative charges, permits, and legal fees.
• Operating or regular maintenance costs.
• Tenant improvements unless those improvements repair or restore significant historic and architectural materials and are included in the designation.
• New construction or reconstruction except where the construction is demonstrated to be an accurate restoration of a significant architectural element or feature.
• Installation of modern building services such as heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, and electrical or plumbing services upgrading to meet code.
• Utility services and installation costs.
• Installation of new services or amenities such as handicap access, elevators, washrooms, security and fire alarm systems.

For More Information

Robert Geldart

Sustainable Development
6th Floor, 10250 - 101 St NW
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 3P4

Title	Senior Heritage Planner
Telephone	780-496-6123
Fax	780-401-7052
Email	robert.geldart@edmonton.ca

For More Information

David Johnston

Sustainable Development 
6th Floor, 10250 - 101 St NW
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 3P4

Title	Principal Heritage Planner
Telephone	780-496-5281
Fax	780-401-7052
Email	david.johnston2@edmonton.ca