Have you ever considered purchasing a heritage property in Oakville? Not sure what's involved or what restrictions might arise? Below is a list of answers, from the Town of Oakville, to many questions you might consider if you are thinking of purchasing a heritage property. If you would like further information, we would be happy to assist you. Give us a call at 905-338-6550.
What Exactly Is Designated?
Designation is a by-law, enacted by council, that protects the heritage attributes of a property of cultural heritage value or interest. This follows a process of identifying evaluation and defining a property as per criteria set out in the Ontario Heritage Act.
Who Decides What If Of Heritage Value or Interest?
Properties of cultural value or interest are usually identified by municipal heritage committees, or through a local community process such as an inventory of cultural resources, a municipal cultural planning process, or a community planning study.
Where Do These Powers & Responsibilities Come From?
Guiding legislation in matters of heritage comes from the Ontario Heritage Act and is supplemented by other pieces of legislation, including the Planning Act. It also comes from the Provincial Policy Statement. Find out more through:
- Planning Act
- Provincial Policy Statement
Why Do We Want To Invest In Heritage?
Heritage is a key element in downtown revitalization, tourism development and sustainable communities and is a great return on investment.
Won't Heritage designation or protection make the buildings or areas unusable for modern purposes or under modern demands? For example, what if we need to make a place wheelchair accessible?
Heritage does not freeze a building in time, but rather ensures that future.
Can a Property Be Altered Once It Is Designated?
The designation provides a process for ensuring that changes to a heritage property are appropriately managed and that these changes respect the property's heritage value. If the owner of a designated property wishes to make alterations to the property that affect the property's heritage attributes, the owner must obtain written consent from council. This is a cooperative process, where a property owner submits an application for the proposed work and receives advice and guidance from the municipal heritage staff.
Does Designation Affect the Interior of a Property?
Designation will only affect those interiors that are considered to be of heritage value and would be described as a heritage attribute. When it does, they are usually publicly accessible spaces, such as the significant interior of a church or a head office entrance hall.
Do Property Owners Need Permission for General Maintenance?
General maintenance work, such as repainting of exterior trim, replacement or repairs to an existing asphalt roof, or alteration and repairs to property features that are not covered by the designation by-law, do not usually require heritage approvals, however, you may still need a building permit. For more information about the Town's building permit information, visit the Building Services web section.
When Do I Need To Get a Heritage Permit?
Any work undertaken that alters or changes the appearance of the real property and the buildings and structures on the real property requires a Heritage Permit, including:
- All additions and alterations to structures on the property
- Demolition of structures on the property
- All new construction
- Landscaping and/or alteration of the real property
Examples of Work That Requires a Heritage Permit Include
- Addition or alteration to an existing structure on the property
- Replacement of windows or doors
- Change in window or door openings
- Removal and/or installation of porches, verandahs, canopies, cladding and chimneys
- Change in trim, cladding and painting of building exterior
- Removal and/or installation of a deck, fence, gate, trellis, arbours and/or gazebos
I Own a
A Heritage Permit is required to undertake external changes to a heritage-designated property under the Ontario Heritage Act. A designated property is defined in the Act as real property, and the buildings and structure on the real property.
The Act provides a process to ensure that any change to the exterior of a designated property does not alter the property in such a way that the reasons for designation are diminished.
Any external work that alters or changes the appearance of the real property, and buildings and structures on the real property, generally requires a Heritage Permit to include:
- All additions and alterations to a heritage property
- Demolition of designated buildings and associated structures
- All new construction
- Landscaping and/or alteration of the real property
Examples of External Work That Require a Heritage Permit
- Addition or alteration to an existing building or accessory structure on the property
- Replacement of windows or doors
- Change in window or door opening
- Removal and/or installation of porches, verandahs, canopies, cladding and chimneys
- Change in trim, cladding and painting of building exterior
- Removal and/or installation of a deck, fence, gate, trellis, arbours and/or gazebos
Examples of Work That Do Not Require a Heritage Permit
- Routine maintenance and minor repairs that do not change the exterior appearance of the main buildings, accessory structure and/or landscaping
- Re-roofing in material and colour similar to existing material and colour
- Repairs to, and replacement of, eavestroughs and downspouts unless these are ornamental and integral to the heritage character and appearance of the building
- Re-pointing of brick and repairs to chimney
Does Designation Alter the Right to Sell the Property?
Designation will not interfere with your right to sell the property. However, should a designated property be sold, the new owner is required to advise the Town Clerk of that change in accordance with the Ontario Heritage Act.
What Is a Heritage Conservation District?
A subsection in Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act enables the council of a municipality to designate any defined area or areas of the municipality as a heritage conservation district. District designation enables the council of a municipality to manage and guide future change in the district, through adoption of a district plan with policies and guidelines for conservation, protection and enhancement of the area's special character.
Will Heritage Designation Make Property Insurance Premiums Go Up?
Your premiums should not go up as a result of a heritage designation. A variety of other reasons cause insurance companies to increase premiums for older buildings if there is a higher level of risk, such as services (out-dated wiring, old heating systems, etc.) Some companies do not insure buildings over a certain age. Designation itself does not place additional requirements on the insurer and should not affect your premiums. More information on insurance and heritage properties can be found on the Ministry of Culture website.
What Is the Effect of Heritage Protection on Property Values?
Several recent studies suggest property values are affected positively by heritage protection. The Historic Places Initiative has created a briefing note with helpful case studies that illustrates this point. Dr. Robert Shipley at the
I Still Have Questions. Who Can I Contact at the Town?
Michael Seaman
Manager, Heritage Planning
905-845-6601 ext. 3873
Carolyn VanSligtenhorst
Heritage Planner
905-845-6601 ext. 3875
Susan Schappert
Heritage Planner
904-845-6601 ext. 3870
To find any further information please visit http://www.oakville.ca/heritagepermits.htm
