Structures designated under the Ontario Heritage Act must meet specific criteria to be considered of architectural or cultural interest.

The Ontario Heritage Act allows for the designation of any real property, not just buildings. The designation process is usually initiated by a request from the property owner to Heritage Guelph or by a recommendation directly from Heritage Guelph. In the latter case, the property owner is contacted regarding the proposed designation. The property is then researched and evaluated against the Designation Criteria, and if the property is deemed eligible, a statement is drawn up containing the reasons for designation for the review of City Council.

Once Council accepts a Heritage Guelph recommendation to designate a property, it must inform the property owner and publish a “notice of identification to designate” in the local newspaper. Anyone objecting to the proposed designation must notify the municipal clerk in writing within thirty days of the initial appearance of the advertisement, setting out the reasons for the objection. If there is no objection, Council is able to enact a bylaw designating the property which is then registered at the local registry office and forwarded to the property owner and the Ontario Heritage Foundation. In the event of an objection, City Council refers the matter to the Conservation Review Board, a provincial advisory body, which holds a public hearing in the municipality to review the case and reports its findings to the parties involved. Based on the Board’s advise, City council either designates the property or withdraws its intention to designate.

Property designation under the Ontario Heritage Act recognizes and reinforces the community value of heritage properties, provides protection against inappropriate changes to heritage properties and hinders their demolition, and also gives heritage property owners access to government programs of financial assistance.

To inquire about designation of a property in the City of Guelph, please contact: 

Stephen Robinson
Senior Heritage Planner

Community Design and Development Services
T 519-837-5616  x2496
E stephen.robinson@guelph.ca