​​​​Conservation

Heritage resource management seeks to ensure conservation through a variety of tools and measures.

Heritage Permits

The Heritage Permit process enables the City to monitor the conservation of heritage resources designated under the Ontario Heritage Act and manage physical changes to them. Any work likely to result in the alteration of a heritage attribute(s) requires a Heritage Permit. There is no fee for the Heritage Permit process.

Designated Heritage Property Incentive Grant

Properties designated under the Ontario Heritage Act are eligible for the "Designated Heritage Property Incentive Grant Program". The grant is intended to encourage and assist with the preservation, maintenance and restoration of designated properties. The grant offers funds to cover half of the cost of eligible conservation work up to a maximum of $10,000, subject to available funding, on the condition that the grant is matched by the property owner. Projects must focus on the care and rehabilitation of existing heritage attributes or restoration that contributes to the cultural heritage value of the property.

Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) Terms of Reference

A Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) is a study to determine the impacts to known and potential cultural heritage resources within a defined area proposed for future development. An HIA is required for any proposed alteration, construction, or development involving or adjacent to a cultural heritage resource to demonstrate that it is not adversely affected and propose any mitigation measures.

Heritage Property Owner's Guide

The Heritage Property Owner's Guide was created to assist owners with the protection, care and maintenance of their heritage properties by providing useful information and advice.

Minimum Maintenance (Property Standards) By-law

The amendments to the existing Property Standards By-law require enhanced security and maintenance measures for heritage buildings designated under the Ontario Heritage Act.

Vacant Building By-law

The Vacant Building By-law is directed at protecting all vacant buildings citywide. It identifies the measures that the City would require an owner to take, including securing a vacant building against unauthorized entry, protecting it against the risk of fire, accident or other danger.

Heritage Building Protection Plan (HBPP)

A Heritage Building Protection Plan outlines a range of actions that the applicant is expected to implement to maintain, protect, and secure a cultural heritage resource on their property during the development approval process. It is intended to strengthen the protection of heritage buildings betwee​n the time a planning application is received by the City and its approval.