About Heritage Conservation in Oakville

Oakville has a rich history that is still visible today in its many historic buildings and landscapes. Many of these properties are designated or listed on the Town of Oakville Heritage Register (the Ontario Heritage Act requires that municipalities maintain a current register of properties of architectural, historical, archaeological or contextual interest). As of June 1, 2009, this listing contains approximately 600 properties.   

The role of Heritage planning staff is to assist in the documentation and protection of these historical sites and help guide change to these properties through the heritage permit process. The Heritage Oakville Committee, an advisory committee to Council, also contributes to heritage conservation in Oakville by reviewing heritage permit and development applications related to heritage properties.

Read the frequently asked questions about heritage.

Search the Oakville-Trafalgar Archives for some of the heritage-designated buildings in Oakville.

We preserve heritage to: 

• enhance our quality of life and sense of history, community and identity
• improve our economic health by employing local craftspeople and tradespeople related to conservation
• add diversity and character to new development
• contribute to sustainability by reducing landfill waste, and lessening the demand for energy and resources needed for new construction

Additional resources:

• Conserve~Preserve Guidebook - Towards Sustainable Heritage (pdf)
  Windfall Ecology Centre, May 1, 2009

Additional websites:

• Heritage Ontario
• Oakville Museum
• Ontario Heritage Act
• Ontario Heritage Foundation