Heritage Designation: Reasons for Designation

The designation of property is a principal tool that local governments have in order to provide long-term protection of our built heritage resources for future generations.

Through the designation process, the local government can:

• Recognize the importance of a property to the local community;
• Protect the property’s heritage value;
• Encourage good stewardship, conservation, and appropriate management;
• Protect from demolition; restrict demolition by passing appropriate zoning and/or other bylaws;
• Ensure changes to the property respect its heritage value; review additions, alterations or demolition requests for heritage properties;
• Promote knowledge and understanding about the property, and increase public recognition and awareness of heritage in general;
• Guide change and planning for a vibrant community that includes heritage; creating a legacy for future generations;
• Retain a community’s character and sense of place and identity;
• Maintain a record of properties that have cultural or heritage value;
• Add designated properties to the BC Register of Historic Places and possibly the Canadian Register of Historic places.

To help guide change, it is important to first identify the places in the community that have cultural heritage value. Then it is possible to protect local heritage properties while planning for change.

For the individual property owner, benefits can be found in the incentives that may be offered by the local government. Examples can include:

• Guidance on good heritage conservation practices from the local government’s planning department;
• Plaque to recognise the importance of a property;
• Access to grants for restoration work;
• Tax refunds and abatements;

The Province of BC proposes the following benefits for conserving our heritage:

• An attractive province: We’re proud of our well-kept, diverse and sustainable communities—we know that tourists like it, too.
• It’s the green choice: Reusing buildings means less new construction—less wasted energy and materials and fewer harmful emissions. It also preserves green spaces and farmland.
• Promotes a sense of well-being: Conserving our heritage connects us to our past and strengthens our sense of self, our sense of community and our ability to shape our future.
• Revitalizes our communities: Converting old buildings into restaurants, shops and offices generates income and keeps them trendy and vibrant, too!
• Gives the economy a boost: Heritage buildings generate jobs during rehabilitation and draw tourists and commercial activity long afterwards.

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This guide provides an overview of Community Heritage Commissions through research and commentary. Application of this heritage conservation tool is not prescriptive, as it can be adapted to each situation. Local governments and regional districts wanting to implement the heritage conservation tools should seek legal counsel as required.

SPECIAL NOTE: It is intended this guide will develop through community input. If you have best practices and case studies that would benefit this guide, please contact Heritage BC. Additionally, please contact us if you have questions or are seeking advice.