Heritage Restoration Grant Program
Restore your heritage storefront with up to $5,000 in reimbursement. The City of Vernon covers 50% of eligible exterior work, but you must pay first and get approval before starting. Applications are open.
Before you spend any money
Get the city's approval BEFORE you start work or buy anything. Costs from work started before approval may not be covered.
At a glance
Subject to program rules, available funding, and approval. Confirm current details with the official program administrator.
Is this for you?
- You own a commercial property on the Vernon Heritage Register
- You are planning exterior restoration like painting, siding, or structural repairs
- You can secure approval before spending any money on the project
Probably not the right fit if
- Your building is not officially heritage-designated
- You have already started or completed the restoration work
- Your property is outside Vernon
How much you'd realistically get
For example, a storefront refresh (new facade, paint and exterior lighting):
Project cost
$10,000
Program pays
$5,000
You pay
$5,000
That's the program's maximum. A bigger project works, and the amount above the cap is yours to fund.
Illustration using this program's published rate and cap; amounts and eligibility are decided by the program.
Up to 50% of works, to a maximum of $5,000
What may be supported
- Exterior restoration to original condition
- Structural repairs (foundations, chimneys, gutters, roofing, windows, siding)
- Exterior painting (heritage colour schemes)
How applying works
Effort: mediumApply to the city with quotes and photos. Get approval before you start, then claim your costs after the work is done.
- 01Confirm your property is in the program area and funds are available
- 02Get the city's written pre-approval BEFORE starting
- 03Complete the approved work
- 04Submit your costs for reimbursement
Documents commonly required
- Quotes/estimates for the work
- Photos of the current storefront
- Proof of property ownership or owner's consent
What to know before you count on it
- Cost-share: you pay for the work first, then you're reimbursed (about half) after it's done and inspected.
- Apply and get approved BEFORE you start any work or buy anything. Work started before approval may not qualify.
- Only properties on the Vernon Heritage Register qualify. Confirm your building is listed before you spend.
- Eligible work includes restoring the exterior to its original condition, structural repairs, and exterior painting in heritage colour schemes.
- Municipal funding is limited each year. Confirm money is still available.
What are your odds?
Your property must be on the Vernon Heritage Register, and you need the city's approval before work starts. City funds are limited each year, so ask early.
More funding by what it pays for
Funding for Storefront Signage
Grants and loans that may help pay for new storefront signage.
Funding for Storefronts and Facades
Grants and loans that may help pay for storefront and facade work.
Funding for Accessibility
Grants for ramps, doors and washrooms may help pay for accessibility improvements.
What you can combine it with
You may be able to combine this with provincial or federal programs for the same project. Ask the city before you plan on using both.
Worth reading before you apply
Get alerted when this changes
Programs open and close, budgets run out, rules change. We send one short email when something changes that matters for this program.
Page last updated ; status and deadline checked . Source: official program page.