Apply for a place to be added to the Vancouver Heritage Register (VHR)

How to apply to be added to the VHR

You can apply for a place to be added to the VHR through either a:

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  Development permit (DP) application

  Historic places can be added to the VHR through the development permit (DP) application process. Addition to the VHR may be required as part of an active or pending DP application involving a place with potential heritage values.

  Contact the Development and Building Services Centre for building and development questions and applications. 

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  Self-initiated application

  Property owners and members of the public (with the owner’s consent) can apply to have a place added to the VHR through a self-initiated application, without needing to go through the development permit application process.  

  Note Follow the steps on this page to apply.

Steps to submitting a VHR self-initiated application

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  Step 1: Gather information about the place

  • Address of the place
  • Building name (if applicable)
  • Year of construction (if known)
  • Description of the place:
    • Describe the surroundings. Is it on a side street or a boulevard? Include nearby buildings, landscape features, intersecting streets, and neighbourhood.
    • Tell us if the place is a part of a particular urban development phase in Vancouver’s history. 
    • Describe how the place is being used currently. Share who uses the place and how it’s being used. For example, is the place used in cultural practice or commemoration.
    • Identify the relationship with the cultural heritage of xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish Nation), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation), cultural heritage of equity-denied community(s), and urban Indigenous Peoples or living cultural heritage of a particular community, if known.
    • Tell us why you think the place should be added to the Vancouver Heritage Register.
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  Step 2: Take photos and find archival photos of the place

  Note  Include sources for all photos.

  What to include in your photos

  • Views showing all sides of the place.
  • Architectural features such as windows, cornices, porches, roof details, landscape features, and more.
  • Notable interior finishes and features such as fireplaces, stairs, walls, walls, floor and ceiling treatments, and built-in fixtures.
  • Street view photos of the place.
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  Step 3: Write about the heritage value of the place

  Summary of heritage value(s)

  Explain why you think the property should be added to the VHR. Begin by identifying the heritage value of the place and then describe its:

  Cultural heritage: Traditions, ways of life and memories

  • Explain how the place is associated with a cultural belief, language, knowledge, skills, or ways of life. 
  • Share why the place is important to the history, development, or identity of the community.

  Historical association: Person, community, and organization

  • Explain if the place is closely associated with a historic event or if it’s associated with a noteworthy person, group, or organization.

  Architecture: Design, materials, and technology

  • Identify and describe the defining features of the building. This can include rare or uncommon building materials, construction methods and architectural style.  
  • Identify the architects, artisans, builders, engineers, and/or planners who designed and constructed the building. Describe it within the designer’s body of work.  
  • Describe the current physical condition of the place. Note major changes or alterations to the place’s configuration or use that occurred over time. 
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  Step 4: Gather all documentation and photos and submit application

  A. Gather all documentation and photos

  Supporting material

  • Include copies or summaries of historical information or documents about the historic context or heritage value of the place. These can include fire insurance maps, residential directories, blueprints, newspaper articles, history books, or other historical materials.  
  • Provide evidence of lived experience associated with the place. This can be audio recordings, transcribed interviews, and more. Include a brief explanation of how these materials support the heritage value of the place. 

  Note Follow the file format requirements before submitting your application.

  Note Name your document files using this format: Nominated property address – VHR application – item name. 

  Photos, audio, and video

  Images:

  • File format: JPG or TIFF
  • File size: Less than 3MB
  • Resolution: Less than 300 dpi
  • Source (where you got the images or photos)

  Note Mac users must include “.jpg” at the end of each image file.

  Audio:

  • File format: MP3, AIFF files, or online platforms (for example, SoundCloud)
  • Duration: All samples combined must not exceed a maximum of 10 minutes

  Video:

  • File format: QuickTime, RealPlayer, Windows Media Player, or Flash Player
  • Duration: All samples combined must not exceed a maximum of 10 minutes

  B. Prepare a documentation list

  Submit a table that lists all photos and additional supporting material. This will help in tracking your submission content.

  • File format: PDF or Word
  • Table structure:
    • Your name
    • Document title
    • Document type (supporting document, photo, audio, or video)
      • File formats such as JPG, Word, QuickTime, MP3, or full online address

  C. Submit application

  Note You can submit your application online, by mail, or in-person.

  Note If you’re not the owner of the nominated property, you are required to complete the Property Owner Permission Letter PDF file (96 KB) signed by the property owner sign. 

  Option 1: Submit online

  Submit your VHR application

  Option 2: Submit by mail

  1. Download and print the Application Form PDF file (866 KB).
  2. Organize your documents in an envelope. 
  3. Mail documents and completed application form to: 

  Attention: Planning Department – Heritage Group 
  453 W 12th Avenue 
  Vancouver, BC  V5Y 1V4 

  Option 3: Submit application in-person

  1. Download and print the Application Form PDF file (866 KB).
  2. Organize your documents in an envelope.
  3. Label envelope clearly to: Planning Department – Heritage Group 
  4. Drop-off envelope at the front desk  of the:

  Development and Building Services Centre
  515 W 10 Avenue (at Cambie Street) 

  Note The Services Centre is open Mondays to Fridays, 8:30am to 5pm, except statutory holidays. 

  For more information, email heritage@vancouver.ca.

  D. Application processed

  VHR applications are assessed by the VHR Evaluation Subcommittee.

  After it's reviewed, applications are presented to the Vancouver Heritage Commission (VHC) for endorsement. Those endorsed by the VHC are then forwarded to Council for approval and addition to the VHR. 

  For more information, review the VHR Heritage Evaluation Methodology PDF file (169 KB) and VHR Evaluation Form PDF file (356 KB).