Heritage Collingwood

If you own a property in the Heritage Conservation District or have a Heritage Designation on your property outside of the district, you must apply for a Heritage Permit prior to making any exterior alterations, including painting or window replacements or installing any signage. You must also use the Heritage Approved Colour Palette described below.

Prior to Submitting:

• In the Downtown Heritage Conservation District (Part V property) - please review the design and material policies of the District Plan.
  • If you are submitting for signage, please also review the Sign By-law and the Heritage Approved Colour Palette described below. Applications for signage must include colour drawings with full dimensions in metric units. Please also note whether any lighting is proposed for signs (Back-lit signs are prohibited).
• Part IV property (outside the Downtown Heritage Conservation District - please review your individual designation by-law.

All Heritage Permit submissions must include a completed application form authorized by the property owner, and supporting drawings and/or reports required to assess the proposal. If you are unsure what to submit in support of your application, please contact staff.

How to Submit:

Register on the Town's secure CityView Public Portal to upload heritage permit applications, grant applications, and tax refunds 24/7. Use of the Portal enables the user to download required .pdf forms and pictures to their proposal. This feature keeps all your information data in one secure and accessible place.

Heritage Permit Application

Heritage Approved Colour Palette

The Council approved Heritage Colour Palette for designated heritage properties is

Benjamin Moore Historical Colours, or similar palettes such as

Sherwin Williams Historic Paint Colours.

Black and white from any palette are also permitted as are the following Benjamin Moore (or similar) reds from the Classic Collection:

• Rapture (CC-66)
• Lyons Red (CC-68)
• Bonaparte (CC-64)

Benjamin Moore Heritage Red (PM-18), or similar, is also permitted for signage only.

Note that even if you are using an approved heritage colour, you may still require a Heritage Permit to be issued prior to painting or installing signage.

Have questions? Email us at planning@collingwood.ca

As a property owner within the Town of Collingwood Downtown Heritage Conservation District or of a property designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act you may be eligible to apply for a municipal property tax refund of up to 20%. The tax relief program only applies to significant heritage buildings as listed on Schedule "B" of By-law 2010-020.

Application dates: January 1st to March 15th, each year (pending budget approval).

New for 2025: Starting in 2025, if you have applied in a previous year and have a Heritage Preservation and Maintenance Agreement (HPMA) with the Town, you do not need to submit an application form annually to apply for the rebate.  Subject to continued compliance with your HPMA and program eligibility criteria, the rebate will be issued. Inspections will still be done annually to ensure continued compliance. 

If you are a new property owner or have never applied previously, you must submit an complete application form together with the applicable fee to participate in the program.  

Heritage Tax Refund Program Guidelines and Application

Register on the Town's secure CityView Public Portal, to upload heritage permit applications, grant applications, and tax refunds 24/7. Use of the Portal enables the user to download required .pdf forms and pictures to their proposal. This feature keeps all your information data in one secure and accessible place.

Designated heritage property owners planning to undertake conservation or restoration projects in 2024 are encouraged to apply for a 2024 Heritage Grant by December 15, 2023. Eligible applications can receive a grant up to 50% of the cost of the works to a maximum grant of $3,000. Applications must be submitted with a quote or estimate.

*Subject to budget availability, heritage grant applications may be considered following the December 15th application deadline

Heritage Grant Guidelines & Application

Register on the Town's secure CityView Public Portal, to upload heritage permit applications, grant applications, and tax refunds 24/7. Use of the Portal enables the user to download required .pdf forms and pictures to their proposal. This feature keeps all your information data in one secure and accessible place.

Information/Resources:

• Subscribe to Heritage Collingwood e-Newsletter
• Upcoming and Past Presentations
• Heritage Conservation Districts in Ontario
• Architectural Conservancy 
• Province of Ontario - Municipal Tax Grants for Heritage Properties
• Community Heritage Ontario
• Canada's Historic Places
• Collingwood Historical Society
• Collingwood Museum
• Simcoe County Archives
• Collingwood Public Library Local History and Geneology

Heritage Related Events:

• Ontario Heritage Trust Community Events
• Doors Open Simcoe County
• Theatre Collingwood Gaslight Tour

Presentations:

• Past recorded Council meetings
• Past CHC Heritage Week Presentation
• Past Architectural Conservatory of Ontario Presentation