The Town of Whitby values cultural heritage. If you own a designated heritage property, you may qualify for a heritage property tax rebate to help with ongoing maintenance, conservation and restoration.

New Applications for heritage property tax rebate

If you own a designated heritage property, and would like to apply for the Heritage Property Tax Rebate, please complete and submit the Heritage Property Tax Rebate Application form, together with the supporting documentation.

You can submit new applications by email or by mail to:

Town of Whitby Planning Department
575 Rossland Rd E
Whitby, ON L1N 2M8

Please contact us if you have any questions.

The Town will begin accepting new applications for heritage property tax rebates on September 1st of the year for which you would like the rebate. You must submit your application no later than October 15th of that same year, to allow sufficient time for registration of a heritage conservation easement agreement. 

Staff will review your application to ensure you meet all eligibility requirements before proceeding with the creation of a heritage conservation easement agreement.

It costs $160 for new applications for heritage property tax rebate. This covers the cost of registering a heritage conservation easement agreement.

(Fees may be subject to change.)

Annual renewals for heritage property tax rebate

If you are already enrolled in the program, you must provide an annual renewal form, together with the supporting documentation, to continue to receive the heritage property tax rebate.

Staff will send out the renewal forms in October and you must return them by December 31. You can submit the annual renewal form by email, or by mail to:

Town of Whitby Planning Department
575 Rossland Rd E
Whitby, ON L1N 2M8

Annual renewals help ensure that your heritage property:

• Is being properly maintained
• Has adequate insurance

There is currently no cost for annual renewals.

(Fees may be subject to change.)

Eligibility

In order to qualify for a heritage property tax rebate, your property needs to be:

• Designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act
• Designated under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act as part of the Brooklin Heritage Conservation District and classified as: Good (G), Very Good (VG) or Excellent (E) as stated in the Brooklin Heritage Conservation Study
• Designated under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act as part of the Werden's Neighbourhood Plan Heritage Conservation District and classified as: 'Complementary (Exemplary)' or `Historic' as stated in the Werden's Neighbourhood Plan Heritage Conservation District Plan

Please view our webpage for more information regarding Heritage Conservation Districts in Whitby.

Rebate amount

The amount of the annual property tax rebate is 40% of the taxes associated with the eligible portion of the property (historical portion) for both the Town and Education portions of your property tax bill. Currently the Region of Durham is not participating in this program.

The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) will determine the portion of your property assessment that relates to the heritage structure(s) and land associated with these. This assessment breakdown will be used to calculate your rebate amount.

How will I receive the rebate?

You will receive a letter advising you of the amount of rebate in the late summer or early fall of the year following your application submission / renewal form. This property tax rebate will be applied as a credit to your property tax account. This rebate will be applied against any outstanding balance.

If your account is in good standing (paid in full), you can choose to:

• Leave as a credit for future tax instalments
• Request a refund cheque