Heritage Conservation Districts
The Ontario Heritage Act enables a municipality to designate the whole or any part of a municipality as a Heritage Conservation District (HCD) in order to protect and enhance groups of properties or neighbourhoods that collectively give an area a special character.

In designating a HCD, the municipality typically prepares and adopts a Heritage Conservation District Plan, which provides guidance to property owners and the municipality in the care and protection of the heritage character of the district.

Heritage Conservation District Plans
The City of Kitchener has three Heritage Conservation Districts: Upper Doon, Victoria Park and St Mary's.

Upper Doon Heritage Conservation District Plan (4MB)
On November 24, 1988, the Ontario Municipal Board approved By-Law 88-17 designating the Upper Doon area as a Heritage Conservation District under the Ontario Heritage Act and formally adopting the Upper Doon Heritage Conservation District Plan. The Upper Doon Heritage Conservation District Plan contains policies and guidelines which are aimed at conserving the significant architecture and landscapes unique to the rural character associated with the former village of Doon.

Victoria Park Area Heritage Conservation District Plan (3.1MB)
On May 16, 1997, the Ontario Municipal Board approved By-Law 96-91 designating the Victoria Park area as a Heritage Conservation District under the Ontario Heritage Act and formally adopting the Victoria Park Heritage Conservation District Plan. The Victoria Park Heritage Conservation District Plan contains guidelines and policies aimed at conserving the significant Victorian architecture and romantic style landscapes which are unique to the Victoria Park area.

St. Mary's Heritage Conservation District Plan (4MB)
On May 5, 2002, the Ontario Municipal Board approved City of Kitchener By-law 2001-216 designating the St. Mary's Area as a Heritage Conservation District under the Ontario Heritage Act and formally adopting the St. Mary's Heritage Conservation District Plan. The St. Mary's Heritage Conservation District Plan contains policies and guidelines which are aimed at conserving the significant architecture and suburban landscapes unique to the post-war housing character associated with the area.

Heritage Permit
Under the Ontario Heritage Act, owners of designated properties need Council's permission through a Heritage Permit to make an alteration to their property that affects the reasons why the property or Heritage Conservation District was designated.

The Act defines the term "alteration" as meaning to change in any manner, including restoring, renovating, and/ or repairing. A Heritage Permit is also required for the erection or demolition of a building or structure on a designated property that is likely to affect the reasons for designation.

• Heritage Permit Application 
  

Contact Information
Michelle Wade, BES, Heritage Planner
6^th Floor, Berlin Tower
City Hall, P.O. Box 1118 
200 King Street West
Kitchener, ON N2G 4G7
Phone: 519-741-2839
Fax: 519-741-2624
E-mail: michelle.wade@kitchener.ca