![Heritage Grant Property]()
The Designated Heritage Grant is a grant program for designated property owners to assist in the costs for restoration and preservation of properties that the City has designated.
What properties are eligible?
Any property in the City of Niagara Falls that has been designated under Part IV (individual properties) or Part V (heritage districts) of the Ontario Heritage Act are eligible to receive grants toward the conservation and restoration of the heritage features of their properties.
What projects are eligible?
Exterior Projects
The conservation or accurate reproduction or restoration of significant architectural features such as:
- Doors
- Windows: The repair, conservation or reconstruction of wooden storm (if historically documented) or screen windows—if original windows are irreparable or no longer exist. The storm or screen windows must be replicas of the original, both in style and material.
- Stained glass: The repair and conservation of lead or copper cames and wooden frames, or the restoration of the stained glass lights.
- Verandahs
- Cupulas
- Significant chimneys (exterior portion only)
- Gutters and Downpipes: Only when they are considered a significant architectural feature of the building such as: when they are constructed of now rarely-used but long-lasting materials (such as copper and lead), incorporate decorative elements (often found at the “storm heads” or at the metal straps), or built into the building cornice.
- Bargeboard or other decorate trim
- Shop fronts which have been altered or replaced
- Fences and outbuildings—only if specifically referred to in the reasons for designation/heritage attributes of the designating by-law or heritage district plan.
- Conservation or Renewal of Original Roofing
- Repair or replacement of original roofing materials (i.e. slate, wood shingles, tile, etc.). Substitute roofing material should reflect the historic material in design, colour, exposure, size and other visual qualities. A sample of the proposed material must be submitted to the Municipal Heritage Committee for review and approval.
- Roofing for flat roofs (such as built-up roofing).
- Removal of modern material (such as asphalt shingles) and replacement with original, historical material (such as wooden shingles, shakes or board roofing; metal roofing made of copper, zinc, tin or terneplate; and, roofing of clay tiles or slate and asphalt, if documented as original).
- NOTE: Re-roofing with historic material, as well as ‘compatible’ substitutes, will only be funded once every 30 years.
- Conservation or Renewal of Original Exterior Finishing Materials
Siding
- Repair and replacement of wood clapboard or board-and-batten.
- Removal of modern material (such as aluminum siding) and replacement with original, historical material (such as wood siding or shingles, if documented as original).
Masonry
- Repair and repointing of masonry buildings. Relatively soft lime mortars MUST be used. All cement content must be white cement to avoid introducing harmful salts. Repointed areas are to match the historic mortar in colour, texture, and joint width and profile. Old, defective mortars are to be cut out using hand tools only-- except that power saws or discs may be used for partial cutting out of hard cement mortars to a maximum of half the joint width.
- Cleaning of masonry buildings may be eligible if it is necessary for the building’s preservation and if it is carried out using suitable materials, methods, and pressures.
- Masonry work is eligible only if the materials and methods used will not cause harm to the historic masonry.
Stucco
- Repair and restoration of stucco. The stucco must replicate the original or historic rendering for the building in colour, materials and texture (e.g. a structure originally finished in a ‘rough-cast’ texture and yellow colour should be restored to this finish to be eligible).
Exterior Painting
- Colours used must be documented through paint analysis.
- Paint analysis may be performed either by using paint chip samples or by sanding the paint surface in a circular motion to reveal the layers of paint-- the samples are then viewed through a microscope or magnifying glass.
- Paint chips or scrapes must be taken in several different areas of the building to provide the best opportunity for finding early paint layers and to reveal the different paint colours which may have been used on different building elements.
- Window frames, window sash, doors and various areas of trim may all have been accented in colours that contrasted with the main body colour of the building.
- The paint layers uncovered must be interpreted as to primer and finish coats and the fading, yellowing and darkening of paints.
- NOTE: A property may only receive one grant for exterior painting—after the initial grant it is expected that maintenance will be the owner’s responsibility. Fees for professional paint analysis may be an eligible cost.
- Any other feature(s) important to the overall composition of the structure, specifically referred to in the reasons for designation/heritage attributes of the designating by-law or heritage district plan.
Interior Projects
- Eligible interior features must be specifically referred to in the reasons for designation/heritage attributes of the designating by-law and may include: woodwork, plasterwork, wall or ceiling murals, etc.
Structure Projects
- Work that is necessary to restore the building to structural soundness, including correction of serious structural faults which threaten the building’s survival.
- NOTE: It does not include routine maintenance or structural work to accommodate modern renovations.
Architect and Engineer Fees
Professional fees up to a maximum of $500 for work directly related to completed conservation and rehabilitation eligible projects, such as:
- Preparation of drawings for reconstructed or restored elements (such as porches, windows, doors, etc.) for which the appearance for the individual property can be clearly determined from documentary sources.
- Preparation of specifications for masonry repair, repointing or cleaning.
- Paint analysis to document the historic paint colours for the building.
What projects are not eligible?
Work or projects of a non-heritage nature, that focuses on non-heritage attributes, additions, spaces, features and finished; or, any work that might diminish the cultural heritage value of the property.
Eligible work does not include:
- Interior work— not specifically referred to in the reasons for designation/heritage attributes of the designating by-law or heritage district plan.
- New interior services—such as electrical, plumbing, heating and insulation.
- Work on modern additions.
- Sheds or outbuildings-- not specifically referred to in the reasons for designation/heritage attributes of the designating by-law or heritage district plan.
- Modern doors and windows-- unless replicas of the original.
- Storm windows-- utilizing materials such as lexan, plexiglass, aluminum or extruded metal.
- Installation of lexan, plexiglass or other synthetic materials to protect stained glass windows (as these materials are considered new storm windows and are ineligible).
- New storm or screen doors—unless replicas of the original.
- Chimney repair—other than the restoration of the exterior of a significant chimney.
- Repair of eaves trough—unless it is significant to the heritage of the structure. Galvanized metal and modern materials (such as plastic, vinyl or aluminum) are not eligible.
- Repairs/replacement of cedar roof, where it is not the reinstatement of documented original roofing material.
- Modern siding (aluminium and vinyl).
- Masonry work using non-reversible materials such as epoxies or the application of water-repellant coatings.
- Stucco work that is a modern rendering with high cement content.
- Sandblasting of masonry buildings.
Repairs to or the renewal of modern materials, unless historically documented, are not eligible projects.
Short-term maintenance is not eligible, such as: repair to a broken step or window, repair of non-original siding or roofing materials (such as aluminum siding or asphalt shingles), and interior painting.
What is the grant amount?
The grant amount is one half (1/2) of eligible project costs to a maximum grant of $5000. The property owner must contribute the remaining one half (1/2) of the project costs, and any costs that exceed, or are not covered by the grant.
The amount of grant funding available is determined on an annual basis by Council.
Applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
The maximum grant allocation is discretionary depending:
- On the volume of grant applications received.
- Whether the heritage property has previously received a grant.
- The owner’s actual expenditures on the eligible project as verified by invoices. Donated labour and materials are not considered part of the costs or part of the owner’s matching contribution.
- Project completion, to the satisfaction of the City.
How many grants are permitted per property?
- A property may receive one grant per calendar year.
When can I apply?
Applications are accepted at the start of each calendar year in which the program is operating (dependent on Council budget approval).
Early applications will receive first consideration.
Applications must be received each year by May 31st.
Should available funding remain past this date, applications may be received until November 30th.
How many eligible projects can I apply for?
A property owner may apply for more than one eligible project in their application.
How do I apply for a grant?
If you have any questions regarding the eligibility of your proposal, please consult with the City prior to applying for a grant.
- Submit the completed application form to the City.
- Depending on the eligible project: plans, specifications, drawings, and/or historic and current photos that are specific to the property.
- A minimum of two detailed quotations from professional contractors for the proposed eligible work.
Who reviews and decides if I get a grant?
The application is reviewed for completeness by City staff.
Once complete, the grant application and supplemental material are provided to the Municipal Heritage Committee.
The Municipal Heritage Committee and City staff may visit the building and discuss the proposed work with the owner.
The Municipal Heritage Committee makes a motion at a Committee meeting to support or reject the proposal.
If the proposal is supported, a report is provided to Council for consideration of the grant application. Council makes their decision and outlines any conditions under which the grant will be paid.
When can I start the project?
Eligible projects for which a grant has been approved by the City may only commence work following Council approval.
There are no retrospective grants.
Do I need a building permit?
All work must be carried out in accordance with the requirements of the Ontario Building Code.
If a Building Permit is required, it must be issued by the City of Niagara Falls prior to construction work related to the project.
Any questions relating to building permits may be directed to the City’s Building Department.
Do I need a heritage permit?
If the project is one for which a Heritage Permit is required it must be obtained prior to construction work related to the project.
Are changes able to be made to the eligible grant work after it has started?
The property owner is required to contact the City concerning any changes to the project which are proposed during the course of the work as soon as possible.
Written approval of the proposed changes is required to confirm the proposed changes meet the grant criteria and that the revised project may be supported by the City.
When does the project need to be completed by?
After Council approves the application, the property owner has 12 months to begin and complete the project.
A written request is required for an extension to be considered. The property owner must indicate in the request why the work isn’t yet complete and provide documentation that details the work that has been completed, the work that remains, and a time line to complete the work.
If written approval for an extension is given, up to 12 additional months may be awarded.
No additional extensions are permitted.
How do I receive the grant payment?
The eligible work that was undertaken must be inspected by the Municipal Heritage Committee members and/or City staff to ensure conformity to the proposal submitted.
Poor or defective work is not eligible.
Copies of paid invoices must be submitted to City staff prior to the City issuing the grant funds.
