Built Heritage Inventory

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Built Heritage - RPCHV

Heritage resources in Vaughan are recorded in an evolving inventory formally known as the Register of Properties of Cultural Heritage Value (RPCHV).

This inventory showcases the unique qualities of properties which have heritage value or interest. The RPCHV was approved by Vaughan City Council in 2005, and updated by Council in 2016.

Under the umbrella of the RPCHV there are three types of preservation:

1)    Individually Designated Properties under the Ontario Heritage Act Part IV.
These are properties that have been individually designated for a specific reason such as historical or cultural. Every designation will have a specific By-Law which details the reasons for the designation.   The list of Individually Designated Properties in Vaughan list is available to the right of this page.

• Owners planning on changes to your designated property, are required to refer to their specific designation by-law and may require Heritage Vaughan Committee recommendation.

2) Heritage Conservation Districts (HCD).
All properties located within a HCD is designated under the Ontario Heritage Act - Part V. HCDs consist of an area defined through by-law with a mixture of rural, commercial, industrial, residential properties and vistas.

Vaughan has four individual HCDs that cover specific areas: Kleinburg-Nashville, Maple, Thornhill and Woodbridge.

• Each HCDs has a study and plan that guides conservation, alterations, new construction and more. HCD guidelines are available on the right side of this page.
• Within each of Vaughan’s HCDs there are properties that have been identified as “contributing” (to the character of the district) and “non-contributing” (incidental to the district). Thus, some buildings hold more architectural value than others within the district, and affect the extent of changes that are allowed to the property and adjoining properties (as outlined in each of the HCD’s guidelines).
• Work that alters or changes the appearance of a HCD property requires Heritage Vaughan Committee approval. This approval is often done in tandem with a planning application.

3 ) The Listing of Property of Architectural and Historical Significance (LSHS).
LSHS properties are identified as having some historical significance but are not designated. These properties have some protection under the Ontario Heritage Act ( Part IV Section 27) :

• The City may ask for a Cultural Heritage Impact Assessment as part of a complete application.
• Property owners must provide City Council with at least 60 days’ notice in writing of the intention to demolish or remove the building or structure. This allows the City time to either designate the property to protect it from demolition, or to permit the demolition or removal of the building or structure from the property.

Questions? For more information please contact Cultural Heritage staff.