I own a heritage building. Do I need a permit to make changes to it?
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 building, 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
