Guide to Heritage Designation

We recognize that when the first Euro-Canadian settlers arrived in what is now Puslinch Township, that the Anishinaabe ancestors of the Mississauga’s of the Credit First Nation had long established hunt camps in the area. Through written and verbal accounts we understand that the Anishinaabe interacted with the settlers in a friendly and cooperative manner. It is acknowledged that development of the Township encroached upon their traditional way of life resulting in their displacement.

The Township of Puslinch is seeking to engage owners of properties with properties listed on the Township’s Heritage Register regarding the heritage designation process.

The Township of Puslinch Council seeks to remember and honour the Township’s history through the preservation of historical architecture, artifacts and sites. There are many tools that the Township uses to preserve it’s heritage and educate the public regarding it’s history. These tools include heritage property designation, heritage property documentation, Heritage Property Digital Archive, Interactive Heritage Register Map and our heritage webpages.

On this page you will find information about:

What is the purpose of heritage property designation?

Heritage property designation serves to:

  1. Recognize the importance of properties with cultural heritage value or interest;
  2. Identify and protect properties with cultural heritage value or interest;
  3. Encourage good stewardship and conservation; and,
  4. Promote knowledge and understanding about properties and their impact on the community.

What are the criteria for evaluating the heritage value or significance of a property?

Under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O. 1990 a property may be designated if it meets two or more criteria defined by the Province in Ontario Regulation 9/06, which determines whether the property is of cultural heritage value or interest.

The criteria are:

  1. The property has design value or physical value because it is a rare, unique, representative or early example of a style, type, expression, material or construction method.
  2. The property has design value or physical value because it displays a high degree of craftsmanship or artistic merit.
  3. The property has design value or physical value because it demonstrates a high degree of technical or scientific achievement.
  4. The property has historical value or associative value because it has direct associations with a theme, event, belief, person, activity, organization or institution that is significant to a community.
  5. The property has historical value or associative value because it yields, or has the potential to yield, information that contributes to an understanding of a community or culture.
  6. The property has historical value or associative value because it demonstrates or reflects the work or ideas of an architect, artist, builder, designer or theorist who is significant to a community.
  7. The property has contextual value because it is important in defining, maintaining or supporting the character of an area.
  8. The property has contextual value because it is physically, functionally, visually or historically linked to its surroundings.
  9. The property has contextual value because it is a landmark. O. Reg. 569/22, s. 1.

What is the heritage designation process?

There are five key steps to designating an individual property under Ontario Heritage Act. These include:

  1. Identifying the property as a candidate for designation;
  2. Researching and evaluating the property;
  3. Serving Notice of Intention to Designate, with an opportunity for objection;
  4. Passing and registering the designation bylaw;
  5. Listing the property on the municipal register.

What is the difference between properties non-designated and designated status?

Non-Designated (Listed) StatusDesignated Status
Listed properties are protected from demolition for a period of 60 days, where Council will decide whether to approve the demolition request or designate the property under Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O. 1990.Designated properties are protected from demolition until such a time that Council provides consent for demolition under Section 34 of the Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O. 1990.
Listed properties do not require additional review of building permits for alteration or renovation.Designated properties require additional review of building permits prior to work that may alter heritage attributes.

How do I get involved in the heritage designation process?

Watch the Open House Presentation

The Township hosted an Open House on May 31, 2023 to provide property owners with more information regarding recent legislated changes by the province to heritage designations and sought to gauge the interest of property owners to designated their properties.

Written Comments

Written comments from property owners interested in having their property Designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act, 1990, R.S.O can be provided to Township staff via email.

Pick-up Information at the Municipal Office

If you are unable to attend the open house, you may visit the Municipal Office following the meeting for more information regarding the designation process.

Provide Written Comments

The Township of Puslinch is requesting comments from property owners of property’s with non-designated status regarding the Heritage Designation Process and there potential interest in having their property designated.

What are the legislative changes impacting heritage designations?

Due to recent legislative changes made by the province all 109 properties will be de-listed as of January 1, 2025 if they are not designated by by-law by Township Council. If they are de-listed they cannot be re-added to the registry until January 1, 2030.