Conserving the Value of a Designated or Heritage Property

Conserving the heritage value of a designated property

Making alterations to designated properties
Download a Heritage Alteration application and contact city staff.

When alterations to a designated property are proposed, the statement of cultural heritage value and the description of heritage attributes guide future alterations by identifying what should be protected.

An owner of a designated property wishing to make alterations affecting the heritage attributes must obtain written consent from council. This applies to modifications of physical structures and natural landscape features.

Preventing demolition
Under the Ontario Heritage Act, council has the power to prevent the demolition of a building or structure on a designated property. However, if the property owner wishes to demolish a structure, they must get written consent from council. Sections 34, 34.1, and 34.3 of the Ontario Heritage Act describe the process.

Support for the conservation of designated properties

Municipal staff and heritage committees work with property owners to create conservation plans for heritage properties. Many municipalities offer financial incentives and tax relief programs to help property owners with conservation and maintenance.

The province shares in the cost of these programs by funding the education portion of the property tax relief. For more information, please refer to the Ministry of Culture’s publication at www.ontario.ca/page/heritage-property-tax-relief.

Provincial and federal grants also exist to help with individual capital projects.