Alterations
Under the Ontario Heritage Act, all alterations to designated heritage properties and to properties located within a Heritage Conservation District require the approval of the City of Ottawa. Alterations that require approval include, but are not limited to construction of additions, window replacement, partial demolition, and porch replacement or restoration.
How to Apply
Applicants should discuss their proposal with staff in the Heritage Planning Branch who will be able to provide advice, and determine the documentation and applicable fees required for a complete application.
City approval is required before any work on a heritage property that will affect its heritage attributes is undertaken.
As of January 1, 2021, the City of Ottawa is implementing a new fee schedule for applications made under the Ontario Heritage Act. These are divided into two categories: staff-issued permits and City Council-issued permits.
Heritage Permits: Staff-level authority
This category includes alterations and additions to properties designated under Parts IV and V of the Ontario Heritage Act such as changes to window openings, modifications to porches, new dormer windows or additions. All permits in this category may be processed at the staff level through the authority delegated by City Council under the Ontario Heritage Act. These fees are charged per application, but one application may include multiple alterations. Staff in the Heritage Planning Branch will advise you of the applicable fee for your application.
- Alterations and Small Additions: $268.00
- Alterations to Contributing/Grade 1/Part IV properties that impact the heritage attributes of the property or the heritage conservation district
- Alterations of Non-contributing/Grade 2 properties that have an impact on the character of the heritage conservation district
- Additions less than 15% of the gross floor area of existing building
- Large Additions: $803.00
- Additions between 16% and 30% of the gross floor area of the existing building.
- Other: $0
The following types of projects are exempt from application fees:
- Projects that meet the definition of restoration, rehabilitation, or preservation according to the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada
- Alterations that are in line with the Heritage Conservation District Plan or Statement of Cultural Heritage Value.
- Building maintenance projects
- Landscaping projects
- Applications related to demolishing or rebuilding existing buildings affected by catastrophic events
Heritage Permits: Council-level authority
Alterations
This category includes alterations to properties designated under Part IV and V of the Ontario Heritage Act such as partial demolition, additions and new construction that incorporates the heritage resource. All applications under this category require approval of City Council after consultation with the Built Heritage Sub-Committee. These fees are charged on a project basis, only one alteration fee is charged per application. Alteration fees may be combined with demolition or new construction fees as appropriate and determined by Heritage Planning branch staff.
- Minor Alteration: $2,243.00
The criteria for this category includes:
- Minor alterations or additions to the existing property
- Involves only one designated property
- Partial demolition up to 30% of the gross floor area of the designated building
- Major Alteration: $8,560.00
The criteria for this category includes:
- Significant alterations or additions to the existing property that impact the cultural heritage value or attributes of the property or heritage conservation district
- Any application that involves more than one designated property
Demolition
This category includes fees for demolition of designated resources. The fees are based on the cultural heritage value of the resource as defined through a Part IV designation or the property’s assigned category in a heritage conservation district. These fees are cumulative, if an applicant is proposing demolition of three designated properties a fee will apply per building. Demolition fees may be combined with new construction or alteration fees as appropriate and determined by Heritage Planning branch staff.
- Part IV/Grade 1/Contributing: $13,375.00
- Grade 2/Non-Contributing: $2,675.00
New Construction in Heritage Conservation Districts
This category includes fees for new construction in heritage conservation districts designated under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act. The fees are divided into small, medium and large scale depending on the size of the project. Fees are charged on a project basis, not per property and there will only be one new construction fee per application even if multiple properties are involved. New Construction fees may be combined with demolition or alteration fees as appropriate and determined by Heritage Planning branch staff.
- Small-scale new construction : $3,210.00
The criteria for small-scale new construction includes:
- Applications for new single detached houses
- Applications in this category have no associated Official Plan Amendment or Zoning By-law amendment.
- Medium-scale new construction: $5,350.00
- Applications for new low-scale residential construction including but not limited to: townhouse dwellings, duplex dwelling, semi-detached dwelling, stacked dwelling
- Applications for new construction of low-rise apartment buildings
- Applications for new construction of non-residential or mixed-use low-rise buildings
- Large-scale new construction: $8,560.00
The criteria for major new construction includes:
- New construction of mid-rise and high-rise buildings
- Any application that requires a Zoning by-law amendment (with the exception of an amendment related only to use) or Official Plan Amendment
Fees
A Heritage Planner will provide a complete list of the requirements for an application, however, the following documents are generally required:
- Application for Permit under the Ontario Heritage Act - Staff-level authority
Application for Permit under the Ontario Heritage Act - Council-level authority
- Site Plan
- Landscape Plan
- Elevations
- 3D renderings
- List of building materials or material samples
- Cultural Heritage Impact Statement (may be required, consult with a heritage planner regarding this requirement)
Staff review applications to determine if they meet all City requirements. Upon acceptance of a complete application, the City issue a notice of receipt. A report will be prepared and sent to the Built Heritage Sub-Committee (BHSC), Planning Committee or the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, and then City Council. Council may approve the application with or without conditions, or refuse it.
Plans and Studies
Guide to preparing cultural heritage impact statements
Appeal
A property owner can appeal the refusal of an application to demolish a designated heritage property or the terms and conditions of approval to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) within 30 days of receiving the notice of Council's decision.
Other Permits or Approvals that may be required
- Demolition Permit - Required for all demolitions. An approval of an application under the Ontario Heritage Act must not be construed to meet the requirements for the issuance of a Building Permit.
- Demolition Control Approval - if property contains residential dwelling units and is in an area to which Demolition Control applies.
Appeals must be received by the City of Ottawa within 30 days of the receipt of notice of Council's decision. Appeals must be accompanied by the fee prescribed by the Ontario Municipal Board or Conservation Review Board. More information about the appeal process can be found on the websites of the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) and the Conservation Review Board.
Other Approvals or Permits that may be required
- Zoning By-law amendment or Minor Variance.
- Consent for Severance
- Site Plan Control
- Building Permit - Required for most construction. Approval of an application under the Ontario Heritage Act must not be construed to meet the requirements for the issuance of a building permit.
For more information please contact:
Heritage Planning
613-580-2463
Email: heritage@ottawa.ca
