Heritage Revitalization Agreements: Introduction

The Local Government Act does not provide a concise definition of a heritage revitalization agreement (HRA), but several explanations have been developed to describe a relatively simple concept with a potentially complex application.

According to the Local Government Act, the basic components are:

• It is an agreement between a property owner and the local government;
• The agreement may be used to outline a schedule and timeline of work, and/or to vary or supplement land use regulations (to achieve a desired outcome specific to the heritage property).

This definition is provided by the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (source):

Municipalities may offer legal, written [heritage revitalization] agreements negotiated between a property owner and a municipality to provide non-financial incentives to help owners to conserve a heritage property. This agreement is registered on the property title.

The City of New Westminster provides the following on its website (source):

A Heritage Revitalization Agreement, or HRA for short, is a formal, voluntary, written agreement that is negotiated between a property owner and a local government. It outlines the duties and obligations of, and the benefits to both parties of the agreement. The agreement allows local governments to supersede local zoning regulations and to provide non-financial incentives which would make it viable for owners to conserve property of heritage merit.

An HRA is a form of long-term, legal protection enabled with a bylaw that is registered on the title of the property. It is written to suit unique properties and situations. Therefore, each HRA is different from the next and does not create precedence.

The Heritage Conservation: A Community Guide, which was written in 1995 in response to the then new Local Government Act, provides the most extensive explanation (source):

A heritage revitalization agreement is a formal voluntary written agreement negotiated by a local government and an owner of heritage property. A heritage revitalization agreement outlines the duties, obligations, and benefits negotiated by both parties to the agreement. A heritage revitalization agreement may:

• detail the timing of the agreement terms;
• vary or supplement the provisions of a rural land use bylaw including use, density, siting, and lot size;
• vary or supplement the provisions of a bylaw which concern land use designation, development cost recovery, subdivision and development requirements;
• vary or supplement a permit under Part 14 of the Local Government Act (Planning and Land Use Management);
• vary or supplement a bylaw or heritage alteration permit under Division 6, Section 617 of the Local Government Act;
• and/or include other terms agreed to by the local government and the property owner.

This guide provides an overview of Heritage Revitalization Agreements 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.