Municipal heritage registers

Section 27 of the Ontario Heritage Act states that the municipal clerk shall keep a register of properties that are of cultural heritage value in the municipality. These local, publicly accessible registers contain information about all properties designated under sections 29 or 41 of the act. They may also include a list of properties that have not been designated but that the municipality has indicated has cultural heritage value. They are often referred to as “listed properties.”

Non-designated properties listed on a municipal register are provided interim protection from demolition. An owner of a listed property is required to give municipal council at least 60 days’ notice (in writing) of their intention to demolish or remove a building or structure. The 60-day notice period gives a municipality time to decide whether to begin the designation process.

For more information about municipal registers and listing, visit the Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism website.

Some Ontario municipalities have online heritage inventories and information about the designation process. The list below is not exhaustive. Please contact municipalities directly to confirm.