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 Form

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

Property owners within the Downtown Heritage Conservation District or owners of properties designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act may be eligible for a municipal properrty tax refund of up to 20%

The tax relief program applies only to significant heritage buildings listed on Schedule "B" of By-law 2010-020.

Application Dates

Applications are accepted annually from January 1 to March 15, pending budget approval.

New Since 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.

New Property Owners and Applicants

If you are a new property owner or have never applied previously, you must submit an complete application form and payment of the applicable fee to participate in the program. Please see the Annual Fees and Charges.

Heritage Tax Refund Program Guidelines and Application Form

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 online Portal enables the user to pay fees, 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 may apply annually for Heritage Grant funding. 

Eligible applications may receive funding for up to 50% of the eligible project costs, to a maximum grant of $3,000. Applications must include a contractor quote or project estimate and must be submitted through the CityView Public Portal.

Heritage Grant Guidelines & Application Form

Application Timeline

Applications are accepted anually from October 1 of the previous year to September 30 of the current year, subject to available funding and program eligibility.

Heritage grant applications submitted after the deadline may still be considered, subject to budget availability.

How to Submit

Applications can be uploaded through the CityView Public Portal under the Planning Applications section.

The portal allows users to securely upload:

• Application forms
• Photos
• Supporting documents
• Project estimates and drawings

The Town's Heritage Committee is appointed by Council to advise on matters relating to the Heritage Conservation District and designated heritage properties.

The committee meets monthly to review heritage matters, proposed alterations, and Heritage Permit applications.

Information/Resources:

• Subscribe to Heritage Collingwood e-Newsletter
• Heritage Conservation Tools
• Architectural Conservancy 
• Province of Ontario - Municipal Tax Grants for Heritage Properties
• Community Heritage Ontario
• Canada's Historic Places
• Collingwood & District 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