- Heritage Conservation Planning
- Heritage Burlington Citizen Advisory Committee
- Heritage Permits
- Demolishing or Removing Heritage Buildings or Structures
- Contact the City’s Heritage Planner
Conserving Burlington’s Heritage
The conservation of built heritage is an integral part of the land use planning process at the City of Burlington. It entails planning for the identification, protection and promotion of the heritage resources that our community values.
Burlington’s heritage is a living legacy that helps the community to understand its past, provides context for the present, and influences the future. Cultural heritage resources – including buildings, monuments, and landscapes – provide physical and cultural links to the identity of the City, create a sense of civic pride, and contribute to the quality of life and enjoyment of the City by residents and visitors alike. The conservation of cultural heritage resources also contributes to the overall sustainability of the City.
Heritage Conservation Planning
The conservation of cultural heritage resources is regulated by the Ontario Heritage Act and supported by provincial, regional, and municipal planning policies.
The legislation and policies that guide heritage conservation planning in Burlington are described in staff report PB-87-18.
Heritage Burlington Citizen Advisory Committee
Heritage Burlington is a citizen advisory committee appointed by Council, with a mandate to advise City Council on issues related to heritage conservation, and to promote the conservation of Burlington’s heritage. City Council and staff are committed to consulting Heritage Burlington prior to making decisions related to heritage conservation.
Heritage Burlington welcomes the involvement and input of Burlington residents. Residents are welcome to attend Heritage Burlington meetings to observe the committee’s discussion. Residents may also register with the Clerks Department to delegate (speak or submit written comments) at a committee meeting. Meeting dates are listed in the City’s calendar under “Calendar: City Meetings”, “Category: Citizen Advisory Committee”.
View Citizen Advisory Committee Meeting Calendar
For information on Heritage Burlington’s mandate, meeting schedule, and committee business.
View the Committee’s page on the City website
Heritage Burlington also maintains its own website to promote appreciation and conservation of Burlington’s heritage.
View Heritage Burlington website
Heritage Permits
Owners of designated heritage properties must apply for and obtain a heritage permit before making any alteration to their property that could affect the protected heritage attributes identified in the property’s designation by-law. Heritage Permits are also required for proposals to demolish or remove buildings or structures from designated properties.
Heritage Permit applications are reviewed by Planning staff in consultation with the Heritage Burlington citizen advisory committee. Applications are processed within a maximum of 90 days. Obtaining a heritage permit does not replace the need to obtain other approvals that may be required such as Building Permits, Zoning Clearance, NEC Development Permits, or Conservation Halton permits.
There is no fee to apply for a heritage permit; however, the applicant may incur expenses in preparing supporting materials for their application such as technical drawings. Submission requirements vary depending on the type of alteration project proposed – applicants should consult with the City’s Heritage Planner prior to preparing an application to determine what supporting materials will be required for the City’s review of the permit application.
Download the Heritage Permit Application Form
Demolishing or Removing Heritage Buildings or Structures
Property owners wishing to demolish or remove a building or structure from a designated property must apply for a heritage permit.
Property owners wishing to demolish or remove a building or structure from a non-designated heritage property that is listed on the Municipal Register are required by the Heritage Act to give the City 60 days’ prior written notice of their intention to demolish or remove the building or structure. The City will use the 60 days to study the property and consult with Heritage Burlington. Council may decide to allow the demolition to proceed, or to prevent demolition by designating the property under the Heritage Act.
Contact the Heritage Planner for details on how to give notice of intention to demolish.
Contact the City’s Heritage Planner
The Heritage Planner works in the Development Planning section of the Department of City Building, and can be reached at: heritage@burlington.ca, (905) 335-7600 ext. 7929