Heritage Revitalization Agreement

A Heritage Revitalization Agreement (HRA) is a conservation tool that can be used to protect a heritage building or property. An HRA is a legally binding agreement negotiated between the municipality and an owner of a heritage property. It outlines the duties and obligations of, and the benefits to both parties of the agreement.

The agreement allows local governments to vary local zoning regulations and provide incentives which would make it viable for owners to conserve and preserve property of heritage merit. In exchange, the property owner agrees to restore, preserve and protect the heritage building or property.

For case studies of approved developments under an HRA including description of the heritage resource and site, project description, incentives provided in exchange for heritage conservation, challenges and learnings:

Application process

The Heritage Revitalization Agreement (HRA) process is a public process, similar to rezoning, and must ultimately be approved by Council.

The applications may take approximately 12-16 months. The length of the HRA process will depend multiple factors, including Council and committee schedules, the complexity of the proposal, public feedback received, and the ability of the applicant to provide responses, materials, and information when required.

The first step in an application for a Heritage Revitalization Agreement is the Preliminary Development Proposal.

Visit the Development Applications webpage for more information.

The guide for Heritage Revitalization Agreement applications can help you navigate the various stages of the development process:

Guide for Heritage Revitalization Agreement (PDF)

Frequently Asked Questions

Nominations to the Heritage Register must meet the eligibility requirements and the criteria for selection outlined at the link below.

Community Heritage Register - Eligibility Requirements and Criteria (PDF)

Further, the heritage value of the property must be established by a heritage professional and confirmed by the community, Heritage Advisory Committee, District staff and Council.
An HRA allows the District to supercede regulations to provide incentives to the owner which may include:
- increase in square footage and density per lot or potential for density transfer
- conversion of single-family homes into multi-family use (e.g., duplex, triplex)
- variances to zoning regulations including setbacks, height, lot size, site coverage etc.
- fee-simple subdivisions with addition of new home(s)
- infill options (such as cottages or coach houses) on the same lot that are stratified or rental
- relaxations to off-street parking requirements
- a property to be used as a “ bed and breakfast” and “ short-term vacation rental” accommodation
Neighbourhood Fit

Proposed developments should consider and respect neighbourhood context, character, streetscape and existing zoning especially lot sizes and density. Consultation with neighbours at the beginning of a project is strongly advised to help inform the development proposal.

Professional Involvement

It is advised that applicants for HRA projects, including small-scale residential projects, use the services of professional architects, heritage consultants, engineers, landscape architects, code consultants etc. The participation of professionals will make the HRA process smoother by:
- providing drawings that have all of the required information in a format that is accepted by the City assisting the homeowner with the application process
- making public meeting and Council presentations
- potentially reducing the application timeline significantly
Pro-forma/Financial Study

A pro-forma is a financial analysis of a project. It is a forecast of the costs and profits involved in the project being proposed. Some of these costs include permits and application fees, professional fees, construction costs, legal fees, building upgrades, landscaping, costs associated with subdivision (if applicable), costs associated with the relocation of a building (if applicable) etc. The District strongly encourages every applicant to carry out a pro-forma as early in the application process as possible.