Perth staff have been directed to review the town’s grant programs after downtown property owners argued that mandatory fire code upgrades are placing significant financial pressure on owners of heritage buildings.
Joan Stevenson-Bowes, co-owner of the Maximillian’s Restaurant building at 93-99 Gore St. E., appeared before committee of the whole alongside property owner Andrew Martin to ask council to reconsider how grant funding applies to fire code compliance projects.
Stevenson-Bowes explained that after voluntarily arranging a fire inspection following the town’s adoption of a new fire prevention policy, she received an order requiring upgrades to doors and windows located near a fire escape. The work is needed to meet fire protection standards under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act.
“We fully support this order and are committed to maintaining a safe building,” she told council. “We are not challenging the fire department’s requirements.”
Since 2025, the owners have spent more than $15,000 replacing doors, enclosing windows and modifying openings. Another $24,000 in work is scheduled this year, including the installation of fire-rated shutters.
While the first phase qualified for Community Improvement Plan and Heritage Restoration grants, Stevenson-Bowes said they are no longer eligible for additional heritage funding because they have reached the program’s limit of two grants within five years.
“These are not discretionary improvements undertaken to enhance the property,” she said. “They are mandatory safety upgrades required to bring buildings into compliance.”
Martin, who is facing similar compliance costs, said the financial impact can be overwhelming for small property owners.
“I’ll be required to pay, even with full grants, the equivalent of five years of the gross rent from the residential portion of my building,” he said. “I feel that’s a bit intense.”
Coun. Gary Waterfield responded by proposing that staff investigate the possibility of creating a dedicated grant program for owners required to undertake fire code compliance work.
“If we are to have a vibrant downtown, if we are to promote economic development, we need to partner with our building owners,” Waterfield said. “We need to help our building owners. We need to work with you.”
Fire Chief Trevor Choffe noted that the regulations are provincial requirements that have been in place since 2007 and are intended to address life-safety concerns.
“It is very frustrating to be a building owner that has a heritage property, but it is about life safety and hence why it’s in the code,” Choffe said.
Following discussion, committee directed staff to review existing grant programs and potential funding options, including whether a new grant stream focused on fire safety compliance should be created. Staff will report back to council with recommendations.
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