Heritage Planning

The purpose of the Ontario Heritage Act is to give municipalities and the provincial government powers to preserve the heritage of Ontario. Of primary focus are the protection of heritage properties and archaeological sites.

The Act also encourages residents to participate in the conservation of their local heritage. Under section 28 of the Act, the City of Pickering Council passed By-law 2344/86 to establish a local municipal heritage advisory committee, now known as the Heritage Pickering Advisory Committee.

A ‘Heritage Property’ is a property that has been formally identified by a municipality to have cultural heritage value or interest.  The formal designation is supported by a municipal by-law, passed by a municipal council under the authority of the Ontario Heritage Act.

Formal designation of heritage properties is one way of publicly acknowledging a property’s heritage value to a community. It also helps to ensure the conservation of these important sites for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations.

Properties protected under the Ontario Heritage Act, can fall under different categories, such as designated, listed, and Heritage Conservation District.

Section 27 of the Ontario Heritage Act requires that a municipality keep a register of local municipal properties that are determined to be of cultural heritage value or interest. This register should list all properties situated in the municipality that have been designated by the municipality, or by the provincial Minister.

The City of Pickering Municipal Heritage Register lists properties designated under Section 29, Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act. The register also includes property that has not been designated, but that the municipal Council believes to be of cultural heritage value or interest. These properties are listed under Section 27, Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act, and require Council approval prior to demolition.

The City of Pickering also has an Inventory of Historic Properties, completed in 2002. The Inventory was created to identify potential properties which may merit future protection. These properties are not listed under the Ontario Heritage Act and have no protection against demolition or alteration.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding these listings, please contact our Heritage Planner at 905.420.4617, or send an email to citydev@pickering.ca

To ensure the preservation and enhancement of the special character of the Hamlet of Whitevale, on June 7, 1993, By-law 4074/92 was passed by Council, designating the entire Hamlet of Whitevale as a Conservation District.  The Hamlet is nestled in a rural setting and features modest rural homes and commercial buildings. The nature of the hamlet has not changed significantly in character since the late 19th century and the building style remains a mixture of typical rural Ontario vernacular architecture* combined with Victorian influences and materials in common use at the time of construction.

*the phrase ‘typical rural Ontario vernacular architecture’ refers to the three prominent styles of rural architecture used to build homes in 19^th century Ontario, including ‘the Suburban Villa’, ’the Small Gothic Cottage’, and ‘the Cheap Farmhouse’.

The Whitevale Heritage Conservation District Guide, June 1990 outlines:

• the objectives for creation of the Conservation District
• a description of the character of this Conservation District
• an inventory of the heritage buildings in the Hamlet
• mapping to show the location of the Hamlet
• Heritage Conservation Guidelines for maintenance, repair, restoration alterations, and additions of buildings and sites

Sections 33 and 42 of the Ontario Heritage Act, indicate that a Heritage Permit is required for proposed alterations, additions or demolition to any property that has been individually designated under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act. A Heritage Permit is also required for proposed new construction, changes, additions or demolition to a property located in a Heritage Conservation District designated under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act.

Designated Heritage Properties are subject to guidelines that direct how alterations to the building and site can be carried out.  When considering an alteration to a Heritage Property, the owner of the property is required to submit the proposal to the City for approval prior to commencing work, and may need to apply to the City for a Heritage Permit.

Depending on the scope of the proposed alteration, the property owner may be granted approval at a staff level for minor works. Larger projects may require review for approval through the Heritage Advisory Committee or City of Pickering Council.

Prior to submitting an application for a Heritage Permit, property owners are strongly encouraged to contact the City Development Department at 905.420.4617 or email citydev@pickering.ca.

Types of alterations that may require a Heritage Permit include:

• Repair, alteration or replacement of exterior building elements including, but not limited to: windows, doors, roof finishes, skylights/solar panels, cladding, cornices, decorative architectural features, porches etc.
• New signage or the alteration, repair and or removal of existing signage
• New lighting or the alteration, repair and or removal of existing lighting
• Additions to a building
• New garages or accessory buildings on the property
• New built elements in the landscape including fences or hard landscaping (walkways, driveways, parking pads)
• Revisions to previously approved permits
• Work in situations that require emergency repair, or are considered to be Health and Safety issues by the Chief Building Official
• Construction of a new building or structure (primary building)
• Removal or relocation of any building or structure
• Demolition of any building or structure

The Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) Terms of Reference provides clear guidance on when an HIA is required in Pickering, what it must contain, and who is qualified to prepare one. An HIA is a required component of development applications that may affect designated or listed heritage properties, or those adjacent to them. Its purpose is to assess the potential impacts of a proposed development or site alteration on cultural heritage resources and recommend strategies to avoid or mitigate harm.

The Terms of Reference specify that the HIA must:

• be prepared by an independent, qualified heritage professional (preferably CAHP-accredited)
• include background research, site history, evaluation using O. Reg. 9/06 criteria, and an assessment of existing conditions
• provide a conservation strategy and impact mitigation measures based on established heritage conservation principles

The document aligns with the Ontario Heritage Act, Provincial Policy Statement (2020), Growth Plan, and municipal planning policies. City staff may require pre-consultation, and peer reviews may be requested at the applicant’s expense to ensure compliance and best practice.

The Heritage Pickering Advisory Committee is a local municipal heritage advisory committee, established by Council under By-law 2344/86. Formerly known as the Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee (LACAC), the Heritage Pickering Advisory Committee plays a vital role in the research and conservation of Pickering's history.

Pickering Local History Collection Digital Archive
Pickering Museum Village
Thistle Ha’ Farm (National Historic Site of Canada)
Ontario Heritage Trust
Archives of Ontario – Ministry of Government and Consumer Services
Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industry

Heritage properties play an important role in shaping Pickering’s identity. While they offer unique charm and character, they can also be more costly to maintain. This program encourages owners to preserve these landmarks by helping offset the financial burden of upkeep.

To qualify, your property must meet all of the following criteria:

• Be designated under Part IV or Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act.
• Be classified as Residential and Taxable (Class R, Qualifier T).
• Be in good and habitable condition, as determined by City staff.

Note: Properties located within a Whitevale Heritage Conservation District that are identified as having “no historical or architectural significance” are not eligible for this program. If you are in the Whitevale District and unsure as to the status of your property, please consult with the Heritage Planner before submitting.

MPAC reviews your property and assesses the eligible heritage portion at $200,000. In this scenario:

• The municipal tax levy on the eligible portion is $751.95.
• The education tax levy on the eligible portion is $306.00.
• A 20 percent rebate is applied to both the municipal and education amounts.
• The resulting rebate is $211.59, which will appear as a credit on your property tax account.

Note: This example is based on a typical scenario where only a portion of the property is eligible under the program (e.g., a farm property with non-heritage buildings). Your individual rebate will vary depending on the assessed value and the extent of eligible portion. Currently, the Region of Durham’s tax portion is not included in the rebate, as the Region does not participate in the program.

Step-by-Step Process

1. Check eligibility and ensure your property is in good standing and designated under Part IV and V of the Ontario Heritage Act.
   
   
2. Contact City Development – Heritage Planning to discuss the process and confirm your eligibility.
   
   
3. Download the Residential Heritage Property Tax Reduction Application.
   
   
4. Submit your application by February 28 of the year following the tax year for which relief is sought. 
   • Example: To receive a rebate for 2024, apply by February 28, 2025.
     
     
5. The City will prepare a Heritage Easement Agreement that must be signed by the owner of the property. This agreement confirms the property is of heritage value and that the attributes will be preserved (the owner is responsible for reimbursing the City for $150 (plus HST) for legal costs and registration fees).
   
   
6. Upon approval, the City Development Department will forward your application to Tax Services, who will request a heritage-specific assessment from MPAC.
   
   
7. Once received, the rebate is calculated, and a credit is applied to your tax account.
   • Note: MPAC assessments may take up to 120 days. Final credit processing may take an additional 30 days depending on workload and timing.

Rebates must be applied for annually (no fee). Continued eligibility is dependent on:

• Maintaining the Heritage Easement Agreement.
• Keeping the property in good condition.
• Complying with the program’s terms and conditions.

Eligible homeowners will be contacted by mail each year with reminders and instructions.

City Contact