Main content of the website

Heritage Incentives Program

What is the Heritage Fund?

Council has established a Heritage Fund that can be used to assist with:

  • Restoration, enhancement, or renovation of Municipal Historic Sites and sites listed on the Heritage Inventory
  • Acquisition, by the City of Dawson, of Municipal Historic Sites listed on the Heritage Inventory for heritage conservation/restoration purposes
  • Provision of financial assistance to owners or lessees of Municipal Historic Sites and sites listed on the Heritage Inventory for restoration, enhancement, or renovation of the site
  • Research to aid with interpretation of the culture and history of the Klondike Valley Cultural Landscape
  • Development of Interpretive Media such as signage, panels, or tours
  • Increasing public awareness of historic resources and heritage management of the City

This Heritage Fund can be accessed by the municipality for projects not exceeding a value of $5,000 per fiscal year, or for private projects. 

How can I receive a Heritage Incentive?

Eligible restoration, enhancement, or renovation costs for incentives include the following:

  • Repair or replacement of roofs or foundations;
  • Sealing to weather;
  • Stabilization and/or installation of additional bracing;
  • Repair or reproduction of doors and windows;
  • Repair or replacement of cladding;
  • Returning the exterior to its original appearance as per photographic evidence or other research as appropriate;
  • Painting, where it can be demonstrated as a conservation activity;
  • Interpretive signage and/or other publicly available interpretive media;
  • Alterations that bring a structure into compliance with current bylaws in order to resolve a legal non-conforming status but do not impact the heritage values or character defining elements;
  • Procurement of materials to undertake any of the above; and
  • Procurement of skilled labour to undertake any of the above.

Non-eligible projects include the following:

  • Projects where a government is the applicant;
  • Cyclical repair such as cosmetic repainting and landscaping;
  • Private purchase of land or structures;
  • Projects that have already commenced or are already complete;
  • Projects on properties that have received funding under this bylaw within the last five (5) calendar years;
  • Restoration or redevelopment that does not conform with the Zoning Bylaw, Heritage Management Plan and the Design Guidelines for Historic Dawson; and the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada. Exceptions may be made for structures that are demonstrated to be legal non-conforming and meet the criteria for alterations to a legal non-conforming structure as per the Municipal Act.
  • Projects on properties with outstanding property tax or compliance infractions with respect to any municipal bylaw.

Tier I Incentives

Owners or lessees of a Municipal Historic Site are eligible for a Tier I Heritage Incentive, which constitutes up to 50% of an eligible project to a maximum of $10,000.

Tier II Incentives

Owners or lessees of a non-designated Heritage Resource are eligible for a Tier II Heritage Incentive, which constitutes up to 50% of an eligible project to a maximum of $5,000. 

Applications for Tier I and II Heritage Incentives will be considered complete when the following information is submitted to the Development Officer by April 15 of each year:

  • Completed application form;
  • Project Proposal detailing:
    • Work plan and timeline;
    • Rationale for the project;
    • Current state of the structure/site (including photographs);
    • Explanation of how the project advances the goals of the Heritage Management Plan and preserves the heritage values and/or character defining elements of the site; and 
    • Explanation of how the project will extend the life of the site and provide heritage value to the broader community;
  • Project budget, including details on proposed outside funding sources and ability to finance the project;
  • Detailed drawings showing compliance with the Zoning Bylaw, Heritage Management Plan, Design Guidelines for Historic Dawson, and Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada where appropriate
  • Historical evidence of the site/structure's original use and features, such as historic photos or museum records; and
  • Written approval from the registered owner of the site (where applicable). 

Applications that do not meet all criteria listed will not be assessed. 

Applications for a heritage incentive will be assessed against the following criteria:

  • Whether the application is for a Tier I or II incentive, with Tier I being the highest weighted incentive;
  • The degree of deterioration and necessity of restoration;
  • The financial and technical ability of the applicant to complete the work;
  • Ability of the applicant to access other funding for the project;
  • The clarity, accuracy, and credibility of the project proposal;
  • The degree of benefit to the heritage integrity of the site;
  • The degree of community benefit; and
  • Demonstration of commitment to using design features, materials, and styles that meet the Design Guidelines for Historic Dawson and the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada

Applicants may speak as a delegate to HAC to explain and get feedback on their proposal prior to formal submission of an application for a Heritage Incentive.