Heritage Conservation Planning

The City of Burlington is committed to conserving our cultural heritage for future generations. This includes identifying, protecting and promoting our historic buildings, monuments and landscapes.

Heritage permits

If you own a designated heritage property and want to make changes that could affect its protected heritage qualities, you need an approved heritage permit. You also need a heritage permit if you plan to demolish or remove buildings or structures from a designated heritage property.

We suggest that you consult with our Heritage Planner to determine what supporting materials you may need for your permit application. Email the Heritage Planner or call at 905-335-7777, ext. 7929.

Planning staff will review your application along with the Heritage Burlington Advisory Committee. It can take up to 90 days for us to process your application.

Apply for a Heritage Permit

Supporting Burlington's Heritage

You may be able to get financial support to help with the conservation of a designated heritage property through two incentive programs. Learn more and check for incentive eligibility on our Supporting Burlington's Heritage page.

Removing or demolishing heritage structures

If you own a designated heritage property and want to remove or demolish a building or structure on it, you need a heritage permit.

If you want to remove or demolish a structure on a non-designated heritage property, you must give the City 60 days written notice of your intention to demolish.

Give notice of intent to demolish

Email the Heritage Planner or call at 905-335-7777, ext. 7929 for details on how to give notice of intention to demolish.

Legislation and partners

The conservation of cultural heritage resources is governed by different planning tools and legislation at the local, provincial and federal level.

Local planning tools

Our Official Plan and Halton Region's Official Plan help guide our cultural heritage conservation plans. Check out our staff report on updates to the Municipal Heritage Register, or on the Downtown Heritage Study and Engagement Program and tips for the conservation of heritage properties to learn more about the policies that guide our heritage conservation planning.

View our Conservation Toolbox

Provincial planning tools and legislation

The conservation of cultural heritage resources is regulated by the Ontario Heritage Act and Ontario's growth plan. The Niagara Escarpment Plan protects the natural heritage of the Niagara Escarpment. Ontario's Greenbelt protects natural conservation lands in Ontario.

Check out our staff report on the City of Burlington’s response to Bill 23 to learn more about the 27 properties shortlisted for heritage designation.

Federal planning tools

The Canadian Standards and Guidelines for the conservation of historic places provides guidance on conserving historical places.

Here are some partner organizations that help different levels of government in cultural heritage guidance and maintenance.

Local partners

Local partners that help guide our heritage conservation efforts include the:

Provincial partners

Provincial partners that help guide Ontario's heritage conservation framework include the:

National and international partners

National and international partners that help guide national policies around heritage conservation include:

Conservation Toolbox

The Ontario Heritage Act gives the City of Burlington three different tools to identify or protect a historic place

Identify a Heritage Property,
Protect a Group of Properties or
Protect a Single Heritage Property

This table provides details for each of the tools and their effect on an owner in comparison to a property that has no heritage status.


Action	Result	Effect
Take no Action	The property has no Heritage Status	Property not on the City of Burlington Heritage Register You can make changes to your property No delay on demolition No permits needed No bylaw No special guidelines Nothing registered on title No Council decision or notice required Objection rights not applicable Ontario Land Tribunal appeal rights not applicable
Identify a Property with Heritage Significance	List a property on the Heritage Register	Property goes on the City of Burlington Heritage Register You can make changes to your property Demolition delayed by 60 days No permits needed No bylaw No special guidelines Not registered on title No advance notice required ahead of Council decision You have the right to object to being on the register No Ontario Land Tribunal appeal rights
Protect Multiple Properties with Heritage Significance	Heritage Designate properties as part of a District	Property goes on the City of Burlington Heritage Register Alterations to common features in district restricted Demolition restricted Permits needed Area-specific bylaw Heritage Conservation District Guidelines Status registered on title Advance notice required ahead of Council decision Objection rights Ontario Land Tribunal appeal rights
Protect One Property with Heritage Significance	Heritage Designate a single property	Property goes on the City of Burlington Heritage Register Alterations to particular building features restricted Demolition restricted Permits needed Property-specific bylaw Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada Status registered on title Advance notice required ahead of Council decision Objection rights Ontario Land Tribunal appeal rights