Incentives may be available to property owners for the restoration, rehabilitation and maintenance of designated Municipal Historic Resources, in accordance with Edmonton's City Policy C450B to Encourage the Designation and Rehabilitation of Municipal Historic Resources in Edmonton.

Incentives may include:

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

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

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

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

Small Scale Residential Buildings
(Detached and Semi-detached)		 Other Buildings
(Commercial, Industrial, Institutional and Multi-unit Residential)
Rehabilitation Incentive 50% of restoration costs, to a maximum of $100,000 Rehabilitation Incentive 50% of restoration costs to a maximum of $500,000
Maintenance Incentive 1/3 of restoration costs, to a maximum of $20,000, renewable every 5 years Maintenance Incentive 1/3 of restoration costs, to a maximum of $100,000, 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 on the property title which will not be postponed in favour of any subsequent encumbrances
  4. 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 may be provided for interior spaces. Typically, rehabilitation incentives are available for:

  • Exterior restoration and repairs and where necessary replacement of missing historical elements of the building's Character-Defining Elements
  • Exterior cleaning, preparation and painting
  • Windows, storm windows and doors, repair and selective replacements in kind
  • Porch repair, woodwork and selective replacements in kind
  • 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

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 as Character-Defining Elements in the designation
  • New construction or reconstruction except where the construction is demonstrated to be an accurate restoration of Character-Defining Elements
  • 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

Maintenance Incentive Program

After work under the Rehabilitation Incentive has been completed, the Municipal Historic Resource will enter into the Maintenance Incentive program. This program is part of the Maintenance Agreement that the owner of the resource enters into with the City.

Eligible and ineligible work under the Maintenance Incentive Program is the same as the Rehabilitation Incentive Program. Resources are eligible for a set amount, renewable every 5 years (see table above). 

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

  1. The structure must be designated as a Municipal Historic Resource by bylaw, with a maintenance agreement and designation bylaw registered on the property title
  2. The initial rehabilitation agreement must be completed
  3. The proposed maintenance should conform to The Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada in consultation with the City of Edmonton Heritage Planners

Tax Exemptions for Non-Residential Heritage Properties

Owners of non-residential heritage buildings who agree to the designation of their buildings can now apply for an exemption from tax increases of up to $50,000 per year for 10 years.

To qualify for the exemption, building owners must invest a minimum of $100,000 in the rehabilitation and restoration of the property.

For more information please contact heritageplanners@edmonton.ca.