Cultural Heritage Planning

The City's Register is the list of properties that have been identified as having potential cultural heritage interest (listed properties), and those with recognized and confirmed cultural heritage significance (designated properties). Richmond Hill's Municipal Heritage Register is augmented by the illustrated Inventory of Cultural Heritage Resources and the City's Culture Map, but also includes properties, such as cemeteries, which may not have any buildings on them. The register is not a static inventory, and is updated periodically to reflect changes to properties' statuses, or for the addition of new properties. It is managed by the Heritage Planner. 

A Designated Property is recognized by the City and the Province as a property of cultural heritage significance. Designation gives special legal status through the enactment of a designation by-law under Sections IV and V of the OHA, to protect the property's heritage attributes and its cultural heritage significance over time. The designated status is registered on title and requires certain responsibilities and actions of the property owner, such as ensuring that the property is in compliance with the Heritage Property Standards By-law. However, the owner retains control of the property. 

Council, with advice from HRH, makes the decision to designate. The process towards designation starts with research to confirm the heritage value of the property, once confirmed, a designation by-law that clearly describes the reasons of significance and the key features or attributes to be protected will be submitted for consideration by HRH to Council. If Council decides to designate the property, a 30 day public notification period is required under the OHA. Within the 30 day period, objections may be served on the City Clerk. The property owner may also object to the designation by appealing to the Ontario Land Tribunal within 30 days of the designation by-law being passed. 

A listed heritage property is a property of potential cultural heritage value or interest that is included on the City's Heritage Register. Listed properties have not been assessed and researched in terms of their cultural heritage merit. A listed property may become designated if a Cultural Heritage Assessment is undertaken and confirms that the property meets the criteria for designation set out in the OHA. 

Under the Act, owner(s) are required to advise the City of their intention to demolish or remove a building or structure on listed properties. As part of the demolition application the owner must submit a Cultural Heritage Assessment of the property to the City. Once the request is deemed complete, Council has 60 days to determine the heritage value of the property. 

Designation by-law of a Designated Property clearly describes the reasons of significance and the key features or attributes of that property. If the owner wishes to make alterations to the property that may affect the identified heritage attributes, prior to undertaking any work on the subject structure, he/she is required to obtain Council's (or their delegated authority's) written consent. The Heritage Permit Process is to ensure any alteration or change to a heritage designated property meets the heritage conservation standards and is not detrimental to the cultural heritage resource. Our Heritage Planner will be able to assist the owner in this process. A formal submission of a Heritage Permit Application will be required. 

If anyone who is convicted of contravening the Act by undertaking work without a heritage permit, he/she may be subject to a maximum of $1,000,000 and the restoration cost to restore the property to its original condition. For more information, please contact Heritage and Urban Design staff. 

The City has three programs available to assist owners of designated heritage properties. These programs are described below. From time to time, the Provincial and Federal Governments and private foundations also introduce programs designed to assist owners of designated heritage properties. The City is not usually notified of these programs and designated heritage property owners should periodically check higher level government communications and other heritage information sources for news of such programs. 

Applications for the 2024 Heritage Grant Program are being accepted until February 29, 2024. Once a year a Heritage Grant Program is run by the City to provide financial assistance for home owners of designated properties to conserve, repair and restore their heritage properties. the City provides up to 50% of rehabilitation costs to a maximum of $5,000.00 for successful applicants of designated properties. Home owners can submit a grant application along with documentation, the scope of work and the quotation of project cost to the City's Planning and Regulatory Services Department. Council will approve the appropriate amount of the grant to the applicant based on recommendations from HRH and Heritage Staff. The applicant will be notified of the decision either through a letter in the mail or by email. 

Historical plaques are placed on buildings in the community to raise public awareness of Richmond Hill's architectural heritage. These plaques are put up with no cost to the property owner. HRH plans to put up plaques on a number of buildings or groups of buildings every year. 

The City's Heritage Planner can be contacted to find out whether the subject property is listed, designated or not listed. The City can also issue a Clearance Letter providing a formal response indicating the heritage status of the property for a fee of $104.

A written request to the City will begin the process towards potential designation. The Heritage Planner will provide a step by step designation process to assist you. Please call 905-771-5529 to contact the Heritage Planner.

If an owner of a Designated Property wishes to make alterations to the property that may affect the property's heritage attributes, prior to undertaking any work on the subject structure he/she is required to obtain Council's (or their delegated authority's) written consent. This process is called the Heritage Permit Process. If anyone who is convicted of contravening the Act by undertaking work without a heritage permit, he/she may be subject to a maximum $1,000,000 and the restoration cost to restore the property to its original condition. For more information, please contact Heritage and Urban Design staff at 905-771-5529. 

Minor alterations may not require a Heritage Permit. However, any alterations that may impact the heritage attributes of the designated property are required to obtain a Heritage Permit prior to any work being done. See Heritage Permit Process above. In general, alterations that repair rather than replace original features and those that do not permanently damage heritage fabric are the preferred solutions for Richmond Hill.

Richmond Hill provides the majority of heritage related services for free. However, the City has instituted fees for the following services:

• Heritage Permits*
  • Minor Change: $535
  • Major Change: $4,159
• Repeal of Heritage Designation By-law: $1,244

*Please contact the Heritage and Urban Design Planner to determine the type of heritage permit and associated fee.