Program Overview

Looking to improve your home’s energy efficiency and save on energy bills? Better Homes Lanark offers low-interest loans for single-family homeowners within Lanark County to complete deep home-energy retrofits.

You can access funding for home retrofit measures such as:

• Building envelope upgrades (e.g., insulation, air sealing, and weather stripping)
• Mechanical system upgrades (e.g., heat pumps for heating, cooling and ventilation, water heating)
• Windows, doors, and skylight improvements
• Upgrades to a home’s electrical panel if necessary
• Solar panels for renewable energy, batteries for energy storage, and electric vehicle chargers
• Climate adaptation measures (e.g., sump pumps, basement waterproofing, back-up generators)
• Water efficiency improvements (e.g., low-flow toilets, hot water circulation pump and system)

Retrofit Coach

We know home energy upgrades can be complex, which is why Better Homes Lanark offers a free Retrofit Coach service to all applicants. The Retrofit Coach will guide you through the entire process, ensuring you’re well informed and making the best decisions for your specific situation.

Available Funding

As a Better Homes Lanark participant, you may be eligible for:

• A low-interest loan (2.75%) up to $40,000 and a minimum of $10,000
• Various non-repayable grants*:
• $1,000 for retrofit projects exceeding a 40% reduction in greenhouse gases or energy consumption
• $1,500 for incorporating climate resiliency measures
• Up to a total of $5,000 for households with an energy cost burden of greater than or equal to 6%. Energy cost burden refers to the amount of income spent on home heating and electricity.
• *Funding through combined grants and loans cannot exceed $40,000.
• You can stack existing funding programs onto Better Homes Lanark, allowing you to achieve even greater home energy efficiency and cost savings. The Retrofit Coach can help you identify other funding programs you may be eligible for. 

Applicant Eligibility

Funding via Lanark County

Participating in the program is your choice. Here’s what makes you eligible:

• You must own a home in Lanark County (excluding Smiths Falls)
• All property owners must agree to join the program
• All property tax and other payments to the municipality must be in good standing
• You must be able to achieve a minimum 30% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions or energy consumption, as indicated through an EnerGuide Home Energy Evaluation

Application Process

Step 1: Submit the application form to Lanark County to confirm your eligibility 

Step 2: Receive your notice of eligibility

Step 3: Complete a pre-retrofit EnerGuide assessment (energy audit) through a certified NRCan Energy Advisor

Step 4: Meet with the Retrofit Coach to review your EnerGuide assessment and decide on the most effective home improvements

Step 5: Collect your quotes from contractors and submit a Funding Request Form

Step 6: Enter a Property Owner Agreement with your municipality and receive your initial disbursement

Step 7: Retrofit your home!

Step 8: Complete a post-retrofit EnerGuide assessment once the retrofits are complete

Step 9: Submit a Project Completion Report

Step 10: Receive your final disbursement

Step 11: Begin your repayment through your property tax bill

More Information

For more information, visit Better Homes Lanark, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 613-267-4200, extension 3105.

Dog Licences
Currently Animal Control Services are suspended for 2018. For more information please see our Animal Services page.

Kennel Licences
The Township of Drummond/North Elmsley regulates and licences dog kennels within the township. For more information, please contact the Township offices at 613-267-6500 ext. 251

Lottery Licences
The Township of Drummond/North Elmsley issues lottery licences to eligible charitable organizations. For more information on Lottery Eligibility Applications, Lottery Eligible Use of Proceeds, and the Lottery Reporting Checklist, please contact the Township office at 613-267-6500 ext. 231

Marriage Licences
The Township of Drummond/North Elmsley issues licences for marriage. The current fee is $130.00. Marriage Licenses are good for (3) three months. To learn more visit Civil Marriage Services.

Building Permits
Building Permits are to ensure the minimum standards of the Ontario Building Code are met in order to protect the health and safety of building occupants by regulating design, construction, quality of materials, use and occupancy of buildings and structures. For more information, please see our Building department page, or contact Peter Echlin, CBO at 613-267-6500 ext. 240

Septic  Permits
Septic Permits

Burn Permits

NEW ONLINE REGISTRATION FOR OPEN AIR FIRE PERMITS

A permit is required for all open air burning.

How to obtain an open air fire permit: Complete your permit application online at  https://dnetv.burnpermits.com or call 613-267-2596.

If you are a tenant, permission from the property owner must be obtained.
Cost: All open-air fire permits are FREE. For more information, please call 613-267-2596.

Any person who deliberately sets a fire without a permit, fails to meet requirements of the permit, or refuses to assist in controlling or extinguishing a fire, may be held liable for all costs. The cost is based on current MTO rates for every vehicle that responds to the emergency.

It is the responsibility of the property owner to be aware of current fire bans. If in doubt please contact the Fire Department at 613-267-2596.

Entrance Permits
Properties that do not currently have access from the municipal road to enter a property require an Entrance Permit. For more information, please contact the Public Works department at 613-267-6500 ext. 243.

Municipal Consent

Any work being completed within the Township road allowance requires approval by the Township.
Please complete the Municipal Consent application and submit it along with detailed drawings to  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Planning Department is there to help guide the way the Township grows and is responsible for ensuring the orderly development of both the rural areas and our hamlets. Land use planning is a process which ensures that land and resources are effectively managed and that growth occurs in a manner that the community desires. The planning process is governed by the Province’s Planning Act, and it is the Township’s Official Plan and Zoning By-law which are the daily tools we use to promote attractive and sustainable development while limiting negative impacts on people, neighbours and the environment.

Please vist the planning department's home page for all planning applications.