Heritage Permits and Clearances

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Home > Services > Business Services > Heritage Preservation > Heritage Permits and Clearances

Heritage Permits and Clearance

Properties located within Heritage Conservation Districts (HCD) and Individually Designated Properties are designated under the Ontario Heritage Act.

A Heritage Permit is required for any work that changes the appearance of individually designated properties or properties located in a Heritage Conservation District. This includes the entire property and any additional structures located within.

A Heritage Permit is obtained through a successful HERITAGE REVIEW.

The scope of the Heritage Review is determined by the designation of the property (either a property in a Heritage Conservation District or an Individually Designated Property).

Some examples of work requiring a Heritage Review:
• All additions and alterations to any structures on the property ll additions and alterations to any structures on the property
•Demolition of structures on the property
•All new construction
•Landscaping and/or alteration of the property (including grading and tree removals)
•Change in window or door openings and / or replacement of windows or doors
•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

The Stages of a Heritage Review
1. Cultural Heritage staff analysis of the proposed project (This can be done in conjunction with a 2. Planning Application)
3. Heritage Vaughan Committee review
4. Recommendation from Heritage Vaughan Committee to Council for approval
5. Heritage Permit provided by Cultural Heritage staff with Council approval

Heritage Review Requirements
A Heritage Review may require the following (depending on the location and scope of the project):

·         Full description of all works proposed
·         Context Plan
·         Photographs (current and/or historic)
·         Boundary Plan of Survey
·         Topographic Survey
·         Arborist Report, Tree Inventory and Assessment, Tree Preservation Plan
·         Site Plan
·         Site and Building Elevations (existing and proposed)
·         Site and Building Sections
·         1:50 scale Detailed Building Elevations
·         Proposed Materials and Methodology
·         Colour Perspective Drawings
·         Landscape and Lighting Plan and Landscape Details
·         Grading Plan
·         Building Code Review/ Building Code Matrix/ Heritage Architect Review
·         Letter of Authorization

The following reports are to be completed by a heritage professional with expertise relating to the subject heritage resource. Terms of reference are available on the City of Vaughan website. Staff will notify the applicant if any of the following are required:

Cultural Heritage Impact Assessment (CHIA)
A study to identify and evaluate built heritage resources and cultural landscapes of a subject property and to assess the cultural heritage impacts that may result from a proposed Development Application or alteration.

Heritage Conservation District Conformity Report (HCDC)
A report supporting development proposals on the lands within a Heritage Conservation District conform to:
• the Heritage Conservation District Plan and its policies
• City of Vaughan Official Plan polices regarding Heritage Conservation Districts
• Section 41.2 of the Ontario Heritage Act

Conservation Plan for Heritage Resources
A report to describe in detail the work proposed to the heritage resource. Depending on the specifics of the original application, this document may be required in addition to a CHIA.

Archaeological Assessment is required if the property:
• lies in an area identified as a being of high archaeological potential in the City’s database of archaeological resources and
• the City of Vaughan does not have any record indicating an archaeological assessment has been completed for the proposed property an archaeological assessment will be required

HERITAGE CLEARANCE
A Heritage Clearance is required prior to any Demolition Permit being issued by the City of Vaughan. The form is available on this website or at the Cultural Heritage desk. Please provide one copy of a survey or a site plan based on a survey identifying the building that will be demolished.

Heritage Clearance is also required for any topsoil or soil removal.

Please Note: MAINTENANCE
If the scope or scale of the proposed conservation work to a heritage resource does not require Site Development Approval or a Building Permit approval, (such as, brick cleaning and repointing, or work of this category listed in the related Heritage Conservation District Plan) the following would be sufficient for a Cultural Heritage Review:

A letter from the owner (or the hired contractor) describing:
• the scope of work
• methodology
• materials and product specifications

QUESTIONS? For more information please contact Cultural Heritage staff.

Contact Information

Cultural Heritage Division

Development Planning Department, City Hall, Level 1 2141 Major Mackenzie Drive Vaughan L6A 1T1

Nick Borcescu

Senior Heritage Planner

905-832-2281 ext. 8191

Nick.Borcescu@vaughan.ca

Katrina Guy
Cultural Heritage Coordinator
905-832-2281 ext. 8115
Katrina.Guy@vaughan.ca

Wendy Whitfield Ferguson

Cultural Heritage Coordinator
905-832-2281 ext. 8113
Wendy.WhitfieldFerguson@vaughan.ca

Additional Resources

Heritage Conservation Districts

Kleinburg-Nashville Heritage Conservation District
Plan and guidelines for KNHCD
Maple Heritage Conservation District
Plan and guidelines for MHCD
Thornhill Heritage Conservation District
Plan and guidelines for THCD
Woodbridge Heritage Conservation District
Plan and Guidelines for the WHCD

Forms and Terms of Reference

Archaeological Assessement
Terms of Reference
Conservation Plan for Heritage Resources
Terms of Reference
Cultural Heritage Impact Assessment
Terms of Reference
Heritage Clearance
for demolition and top soil removal
Heritage Conservation District Conformity Report
Terms of Reference

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