Obtaining A Heritage Permit

The City's Building Department will not issue a building permit for a designated property without formal approval from Council or Heritage Staff.

1. First, determine whether you require a Heritage Permit by learning what changes require the approval of the Kingston Municipal Heritage Committee. You will need to go before the committee with any plans to alter or renovate to the exterior of a building or property that has been designated under Part IV or Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act. Please call 613-546-4291 x.2176 to discuss whether your project will require a Heritage Permit.
   [SEE MORE DETAILS ON THIS BELOW]
2. Download a Heritage Permit Application by using the link at right, or request one by contacting the Planning & Development Department by phone, 613-546-4291 ext. 3180, or email, llambert@cityofkingston.ca.
3. Complete the application form. The form may be completed and filed by the owner(s) or agent. If an agent files the application, an original, written authorization by the owner must accompany the application. Applications containing insufficient or inaccurate information will be returned to the applicant for re-submission. An incomplete application cannot be processed.
4. Submit the completed and signed application form by 4:30 p.m. on the appropriate deadline date. [DEADLINES FOR 2011 ARE BELOW] Applications may be dropped off at: the Planning & Development Department at 1211 John Counter Blvd.

Only complete applications will be forwarded to Council via Kingston Municipal Heritage Committee for consideration. Applicants are required to meet with Planning & Development Department Staff in advance of submitting an application to ensure that their application is complete.

An agenda package is distributed to all Committee members the week prior to the meeting. An application must be received prior to the application cut-off date for the particular meeting in order to receive consideration by the Committee. Agenda cut-off dates for other matters may be supplied by telephone requests.

[TOP]

WHAT CHANGES REQUIRE COMMITTEE APPROVAL?

A designated property's external elements include, but are not limited to, a building's roof, porch, steps, windows, trim, the re-pointing of masonry, major landscaping, and painting the exterior where the colour scheme will differ from the original colour and could potentially impact the streetscape.

This includes all individually designated properties as well as all properties located within the boundaries of the Barriefield Heritage Conservation District and the Market Square Heritage Conservation District even though not individually designated.

You are required to attend the Committee for any new construction within a heritage district.

Owners of listed properties are encouraged to take their plans of alteration or renovation to the Committee for free advice and assistance and to take advantage of the Committee's resources that may otherwise not be available.

WHAT HAPPENS AT A COMMITTEE MEETING?

The Kingston Municipal Heritage Committee operates under a set of procedural rules like all Committees of Council. It is understood that the average citizen can be intimidated by formal settings. Because of this, applicants are provided an opportunity to set up a pre-consultation to discuss their plans informally at regular meetings to receive advice prior to actually providing a formal application. The applicant must understand, however, that this is simply to facilitate the later consideration of the formal application. A recommendation will only be made to the Council on behalf of the applicant following the processing of a complete application.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

All recommendations by the committee must be confirmed by the Council of the City of Kingston. This will normally occur at the Council meeting approximately one to two weeks after the committee meets and makes a recommendation to Council regarding the application.

The Clerk's Department will confirm the Council decision in writing to the applicant following the Council meeting.

Depending on the decision by Council, the Building Department may now issue a permit application. Note that the Building Department will NOT issue a building permit for a designated property without formal approval from Council.

[TOP]

APPLICATION DEADLINES

Applications for Alteration under the Ontario Heritage Act, Heritage Grant Applications, and Heritage Tax Applications are accepted at the Planning & Development Department office at 1211 John Counter Blvd.

Please note the following deadlines for the 2011 Kingston Municipal Heritage Committee (KMHC) Meetings. Applications are due by 4:30 p.m. on the deadline.

CONTACT:

Applicants are encouraged to pre-consult with Planning & Development Department Heritage Staff prior to application submission to ensure that their application is complete.

For questions or to book an appointment, please contact the Planning & Development Department at 613-546-4291 ext. 2176 or llambert@cityofkingston.ca.

CONTACT US

• General Inquiries
• Staff Directory
• Council Members

FIND

• Kingston Maps
• Web Site Map

RESIDENTS' MENU

• Building Permits
• Heritage Permits
• Heritage Q&A
• 2008 Building
  Permit Reports
• Deck Construction
• Plot Plans
• Property
  Standards
• Site Alteration
  Permits