Heritage Properties

How do heritage properties get designated?

Properties are designated through the Ontario Heritage Act. The process for designation is as follows:

Property owner approaches Heritage Committee through Planning and Development Services Department with request to designate property
Request should be made in writing providing owner's consent to proceed
Heritage Committee evaluates owner's request based on "Rating System for Built Heritage Resources" and makes recommendations through Planning and Development Services staff if the evaluation results warrant
A report is then prepared by Planning and Development Services staff to City Council based upon recommendations made by Heritage Committee
If the recommendation is approved by City Council, a Notice of Intent to Designate is published in the newspaper (St. Catharines Standard), on the City website, and served to the owner of the property and Ontario Heritage Foundation
If, after 30 days, no notices of objection to the designation are filed with the City Clerk, a by-law designating the property is passed by City Council
Once the by-law is passed, a Notice of Passing of the By-law is published in the newspaper (St. Catharines Standard) on the City's website, and served to the owner and Ontario Heritage Foundation. Then the by-law takes effect.

The process takes approximately three to four months.