Cultural Heritage Planning
Welcome! Our municipality celebrates and is defined by our extensive cultural heritage. In order to conserve our cultural heritage, we have a Heritage Permit system in place to ensure proposed alterations to designated heritage properties enhance and conserve the cultural heritage value of the property. This webpage contains information for current and future owners of heritage properties and for anyone with a general interest in heritage matters.
To further explore the Town’s commitment to preserving its cultural heritage, check out our Heritage Planning Infographic. This resource provides an overview of designated properties, heritage conservation initiatives, and how residents can get involved in safeguarding our rich history.
A Heritage Permit is required when the owner of a designated property wants to alter the exterior of a building designated under Part V (conservation district) or the designated portions of a building designated under Part IV (individual) of the Ontario Heritage Act.
Owners of designated properties should check with planning Staff to confirm whether their property is designated and if the work they are proposing to do requires a Heritage Permit.
Applications
Royal George Redevelopment
The Shaw Festival is redeveloping the Royal George Theatre, a long-standing Queen Street landmark originally constructed during the First World War. The project will replace the aging building with a modern, fully accessible and sustainable theatre while reflecting the historic character of the Queen–Picton Heritage Conservation District. Heritage planning has reviewed how the proposal conserves the site’s cultural heritage value and complements the surrounding Queen Street and Victoria Street streetscapes.
Information received and prepared by the Town can be viewed below. Additional information is available on the Shaw Festival Theatre website: The Future of the Royal George - Shaw Festival Theatre
- The Approved Site Plan and Landscape Plan
- 85 Queen Street Rebuild Request Recommendation Report – Municipal Heritage Committee, July 08, 2026: Municipal Heritage Committee - July 08, 2026
- 79 and 83-85 Queen Street - Demolition Request Recommendation Report – Municipal Heritage Committee, January 14, 2026: Municipal Heritage Committee - January 14, 2026
- Notice of Decision, Application Materials, and Notice of Complete Application - OPA-05-2025 and ZBA-07-2025: 178-188 Victoria Street, 79-83 Queen Street (Royal George Theatre) - OPA-05-2025 and ZBA-07-2025 | Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake
- Passing of By-law - Special Council Meeting, November 25, 2025: Special Council Meeting - November 25, 2025
- Recommendation Report COTW-General - OPA-05-2025 and ZBA-07-2025, November 11, 2025: Committee of the Whole - General - November 11, 2025
- Conservation and Commemoration Plan Review – Municipal Heritage Committee, November 05, 2025: Municipal Heritage Committee - November 05, 2025
- 178-188 Victoria Street - Demolition Request Recommendation Report Municipal Heritage Committee, September 03, 2025 - Municipal Heritage Committee - September 03, 2025
- Heritage Impact Assessment Review - OPA-05-2025 and ZBA-07-2025: Municipal Heritage Committee - July 09, 2025
- Notice of Complete Application, Staff Presentation, and Information Report - CDS-25-095 and Public Meeting, July 8, 2025: Committee of the Whole - Planning - July 08, 2025
Any further questions can be directed to the Heritage Planning Staff at: heritage@notl.com
Guidance Documents
Insuring Heritage Properties - Niagara-on-the-Lake Insurance Guide
The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake is committed to supporting the stewards of heritage properties and in 2026, the Town Council adopted the following guide and additional tools to address these concerns. Owners of heritage designated properties are also encouraged to reach out to Heritage Staff to request a copy of personalized letters being issued by the Town to submit to insurance companies. These letters outline Town’s expectations for the maintenance of heritage designated properties
- Heritage Property Risk Prospectus
- NOTL Terms of Reference for HIA & CHER Reports
- Heritage Training Manual
- Investigating the Impact of Heritage Property Designation on Real Estate Value
- Heritage Designation & Property Values is There an Effect - Robert Shipley- University of Waterloo 2000
Interested in designating your property?
Designation under the Ontario Heritage Act ensures the continued conservation of our built cultural heritage, a fragile and non-renewable resource.
Requests for designation are reviewed by heritage staff and the Municipal Heritage Committee and approved by Council. Staff and the Committee collect as much documentation on the property as possible. The Committee makes a site visit to the property to determine and document features that contribute to its cultural heritage value.
If you are interested in designating your property under the Ontario Heritage Act, please contact Planning, Building and Development Services Staff for further information.
Niagara-on-the-Lake: A National Historic District
With the concerted efforts of a dedicated group of volunteers, Niagara-on-the-Lake became a designated National Historic District, the first in Ontario, in 2003. This honorary designation focuses on the collection of buildings that range in date from 1812 to 1850.
More information on this designation can be found on the Historic Places of Canada website.
The Municipal Heritage Committee
The Committee consists of nine volunteers in the Community with expertise in heritage-related fields. Committee members review heritage applications and provide advice to Council to ensure that the development of the property is compatible and sympathetic with the heritage goals and policies of the District Plan and best practices in heritage conservation. Committee members are appointed by Council for a term of 4 years. Details regarding the Committee, its members and Terms of Reference can be found on our Committees and Boards page.