Cultural heritage streetscapes and landscapes may be designated under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act as heritage conservation districts.  Designated buildings, streets and open spaces are protected and enhanced to retain the unique identity of the area.  The reward of caring for these special areas is the conservation of historic streetscapes and their development as interesting places to live, work and visit.  Currently, the City of Vaughan has four heritage conservation districts in place: Thornhill, Kleinburg-Nashville, Woodbridge and Maple.

All properties within the boundary of each heritage conservation district are designated under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act.  This not only includes heritage buildings, but also contemporary buildings found within the district boundaries.

Any change to buildings or property within a heritage conservation district must be in keeping with the relevant Heritage Conservation District Plan and Guidelines, must be reviewed by Cultural Heritage staff and if required will be forwarded to Heritage Vaughan committee for further review and approval.  This includes exterior changes to buildings or property such as new additions, new buildings, and changes to windows, doors, new siding, and paint colours.

A Heritage Permit approval must be obtained by property owners for changes to their designated property prior to obtaining a Building Permit or a Development Planning application approval. We encourage owners to discuss their proposals to all required City departments, in conjunction with Cultural Heritage staff. 

Kleinburg-Nashville Heritage Conservation District Plan and Guidelines

Maple Heritage Conservation District Plan and Guidelines

Thornhill Heritage Conservation District Plan and Guidelines

Woodbridge Heritage Conservation District Plan and Guidelines

Cultural Heritage Landscapes

Cultural Heritage Landscapes are clusters of related heritage structures, lands, vegetation, archaeological resources and other heritage resources, and include agricultural landscapes, industrial landscapes, cemetery landscapes, sacred landscapes as well as Heritage Conservation Districts. The Provincial Policy Statement requires the conservation of significant Cultural Heritage Landscapes.