What's on this page
In December 2013, City Council approved the Heritage Action Plan to update and strengthen the Heritage Conservation Program, which was originally established in 1986.
City Council initiated the Heritage Conservation Program to identify Vancouver’s heritage resources, develop incentives to assist in their conservation, and create a greater awareness and understanding of the heritage of our buildings.
The Heritage Conservation Program was established as part of the program to outline incentives and protective measures to conserve our heritage resources. Incentives were made available through:
- Relaxing the zoning, subdivision, and parking bylaws
- Density bonuses and transfers
- Encouraging the restoration and continued use of heritage buildings by fast-tracking permits
What's happening
Three new grant programs
On March 13, 2019, Council approved three new grant programs to support citywide heritage conservation:
- Heritage Incentive Program
- Heritage Façade Rehabilitation Program
- Heritage House Conservation Program
Past updates
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Council enacts bylaw amendments
On January 16, 2018, Council enacted changes to the RS District Schedules and approved the Guidelines for Additions, Infill, and Multiple Conversion Dwelling in Association with the Retention of a Character House in a RS Zone. In addition, amendments to the strata title policies were also approved.
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Council approves bylaw amendments
On October 3, 2017, Council approved amendments to the Zoning and Development Bylaw. The amendments introduce character retention incentives and increased opportunities for housing choice in all single-family (RS) zones across the city.
- View the Council meeting agenda, minutes, and video
- Read the staff report
(1.5 MB) - View the staff presentation (3.7 MB)
Public hearing on character house retention incentives and new housing choices in RS zones
City Council will consider Zoning and Development by-law amendments to introduce optional incentives for the retention of character homes, and to add new housing choices into all RS (single-family) district schedules at a public hearing.
Date: Tuesday, September 19, 2017, at 6:00pm
Location: Council Chamber, Third Floor, City Hall at 453 West 12th AvenueCharacter House Incentives Report
July 25, 2017 - Council received the staff report to introduce character home retention incentives and new housing choices in single-family zones, and amend the Zoning and Development Bylaw.
The report has been referred to a public hearing in the fall, when the public will have the opportunity to speak to Council on the report recommendations.
View the report and Council meeting agenda
Open houses: Heritage Action Plan emerging directions
June 26, 2017 - We held open houses on June 10 and 12 to show recent work on the Heritage Action Plan. Thank you for your questions and feedback on updates to the City’s Heritage Conservation Program.
View the open house information boards
(4 MB)Read the draft consultant reports:
- Historic Context Statement and Thematic Framework Summary (17 MB)
- Vancouver Heritage Register System Plan (4 MB)
- Heritage Conservation Program Review (11 MB)
Open houses: Incentives for Character Home retention
We held three open houses in late May for you to review and comment on the proposed incentives and draft design guidelines for retaining character homes in single-family (RS) zones across the city.
View the open house information boards
(3.7 MB)Online questionnaire: Tell us what you think
Thank you for sharing your views on the proposed zoning incentives and draft design guidelines for Character Home Retention through our questionnaire.
Since last fall, we’ve been gathering feedback on what matters to you, which helped us refine the proposed incentives and draft guidelines. These include:
- Increased floor area
- Introduction of new housing unit types (such as infill and multiple conversion dwelling)
- Unit stratification
- Related zoning relaxations
We aren't pursuing changes to new construction at this time. Instead, there will be a broader public discussion of the role of single-family neighbourhoods across the city as part of the Housing Vancouver Strategy or other future planning programs.
Character Home Zoning Review – consultation update
May 3, 2017 - We provided an update to Council on the Character Home Zoning Review and feedback from the public consultation process, as well as direction for further public consultation. Upcoming consultation will focus on the introduction of optional zoning incentives for character home retention in RS zones across the city.
No changes to RS zoning for new construction will be pursued at this time. Instead, a broader public discussion of the role of single-family neighbourhoods across the city will be held as part of the Housing Vancouver Strategy or other future planning programs.
Evaluating heritage significance
April 24, 2017 - The new Historic Context Statement and Thematic Framework for the City of Vancouver will be available online soon. This document will summarize the themes of the city’s history and development, and identify how significant events, people, eras, and transformations made Vancouver the city it is today. We will use these documents to update the Vancouver Heritage Register and help us identify and evaluate potential heritage resources, such as buildings, sites, or features in our city.
Check back in May for the draft Vancouver Historic Context Statement and Thematic Framework, and let us know what you think.
Character Home Zoning Review – consultation update
March 7, 2017 - We provided an update to Council on the Character Home Zoning Review, including highlights from recent public consultation, consultant studies and analysis by staff, as well as ideas being explored. Some of these emerging directions include providing incentives to retain character homes, and pursuing character retention through city-wide initiatives, such as the Housing Vancouver Strategy. Work is currently underway through this separate initiative to review how we can accommodate greater diversity in housing types across of the city, including the single-family zones. Some ideas not being pursued include reducing the allowable floor area for new homes, or the compulsory retention of a character homes. A full report with staff recommendations will be presented to Council in the spring.
- View the staff presentation (9 MB)
- Read the news release
- Learn more about the Housing Vancouver Strategy
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Character Home Zoning Review
July 2016 - As part of the Heritage Action Plan, City Council directed us to amend RS single family zoning regulations to encourage retention of heritage and character homes in Vancouver. Many of the city's older single family areas do not have zoning in place that protects their character and the older building stock.
We're currently exploring geographic and zoning options to manage the character of distinctive concentration areas of older homes in single family zoned neighbourhoods, and hope to do public consultation in the fall.
Public hearing on Heritage Conservation Area Official Development Plan (HCA ODP)
February 16, 2016 – City Council will consider bylaw amendments to the HCA ODP and related bylaws at a public hearing:
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2016, at 6:00pm
Location: Council Chamber, Third Floor, City Hall at 453 West 12th AvenueIf approved, changes will be made to the following bylaws:
- HCA ODP Bylaw
- Heritage Procedure Bylaw
- Heritage Property Standards of Maintenance Bylaw
- First Shaughnessy District Schedule to the Zoning and Development Bylaw
- Zoning and Development Bylaw
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First Shaughnessy designated Heritage Conservation Area
September 29, 2015 – Vancouver City Council established the First Shaughnessy District as the city’s first-ever Heritage Conservation Area.
Heritage Register nomination now closed
September 21, 2015 – Thank you for all of your nominations. The consultant is now analyzing submissions and will provide a report later in the year.
Help us update the Heritage Register – only three days left!
September 11, 2015 – We’re updating the Heritage Register and want your help. Tell us which heritage buildings or sites you think should be on the register, using the new simplified form.
Nominations are open until September 14, 2015.
Public hearing on rezoning for First Shaughnessy Heritage Conservation Area reconvenes
August 12, 2015 – The public hearing on the rezoning of the First Shaughnessy Heritage Conservation Area will reconvene on:
Date: Tuesday, September 15, 2015 at 6:00pm
Location: Council Chamber, Third Floor, City Hall at 453 West 12th AvenueThis is a continuation of the public hearing held on July 21 and July 28, 2015.
If you would like to speak at the continuation of this public hearing please email publichearing@vancouver.ca or call 604-829-4238. You can also register on the day of the continuation, 30 minutes before the hearing starts, at City Hall. You can also communicate your comments to City Council. Anyone who has already spoken or submitted written comments may do so again.
Rezoning: First Shaughnessy Heritage Conservation Area
July 22, 2015 – On July 21, 2015 Council commenced a public hearing regarding the rezoning of the First Shaughnessy Heritage Conservation Area.
Subsequent to the close of public comments concerning this application, the City received a request that public comments be reopened to allow for further public comment on the document entitled "Economic Analysis of Proposed Changes to First Shaughnessy Zoning District: Supplemental Report" prepared by Coriolis Consulting Corporation.
The supplemental report was made available to the public on the afternoon of July 21, 2015.
In response, Council will reopen receipt of public comments in person or by written submission at a continuation of the public hearing on the Rezoning: First Shaughnessy Heritage Conservation Area to be held as follows:
Date: Tuesday, July 28, 2015, at 9:30am
Location: Council Chamber, Third Floor, City Hall at 453 West 12th AvenueIf you would like to speak at the continuation of this public hearing please email publichearing@vancouver.ca or call 604-829-4238. You can also register on the day of the continuation, 30 minutes before the hearing starts, at City Hall. You can also communicate your comments to City Council.
Persons who have already spoken or submitted written comments may do so again.
Public hearing for First Shaughnessy Heritage Conservation Area on July 21
July 8, 2015 – City Council will consider the proposed bylaws, including amendments to the Zoning and Development Bylaw and the creation of a Heritage Conservation Area Official Development Plan, at a public hearing.
If approved, the changes to First Shaughnessy will include establishment of a Heritage Conservation Area Official Development Plan, a new zoning district schedule, a new Heritage Property Standards of Maintenance Bylaw, and a new Heritage Procedure Bylaw.
Date: Tuesday, July 21, 2015, at 6:00pm
Location: Council Chamber, Third Floor, City Hall at 453 West 12th Avenue- Attend or register to speak at the meeting
- Read the Council report and supporting materials
- Read the Information Bulletin: Proposed Regulatory & Zoning Changes for First Shaughnessy (269.6 KB)
The two Heritage Action Plan staff reports and Council meeting agenda are now available online
June 4, 2015 – Both reports are scheduled for Council on Tuesday, June 9th at 9:30am. Please note, the First Shaughnessy report recommends the matter be referred to Public Hearing, at which time the public would have the opportunity to speak to Council on the recommendations. Speakers will not be heard next Tuesday on First Shaughnessy.
View the reports and Council meeting agenda
Help us update the Heritage Register
May 23, 2015 – We’re updating the Heritage Register and want your help. Tell us which heritage buildings or sites you think should be on the register, using the new simplified form.
Nominations are open until September 14, 2015.
Drop by #HeritageReboot on May 23 where history meets technology
May 11, 2015 – #HeritageReboot is a a fun, free event that combines modern technology with heritage conservation. The City of Vancouver, Vancouver Heritage Foundation, Vancouver Archives, and Heritage Vancouver will launch new digital projects that open up Vancouver’s heritage in new ways for everyone.
You'll get hands-on experience using technology to discover the past, the City’s Heritage Action Plan open house, and tours of Yaletown and Engine 374 at the Roundhouse. Get the details:
Saturday, May 23, 1:00pm to 4:30pm at 181 Roundhouse Mews
Share your views on the proposed zoning changes to enhance heritage conservation in First Shaughnessy
May 8, 2015 – Thank you to everyone who completed the questionnaire. We're now analyzing your feedback.
April 30, 2015 – Tell us what you think about the proposed changes in our online questionnaire by Friday, May 8. Your feedback will be shared with City Council.
Information session on proposed zoning changes for First Shaughnessy
April 14, 2015 – The First Shaughnessy Official Development Plan is being reviewed to ensure greater retention of heritage homes and improve compatibility of new development. The proposals are based on consultant recommendations and public consultation.
Read the information session display panels
(639 KB)Attend one of the upcoming information sessions to learn more:
Vancouver Heritage Awards People's Choice award
May 11, 2015 – Thank you to everyone who completed the questionnaire. We're now analyzing your feedback.
April 14, 2015 – The nominations are in for the Vancouver Heritage Awards People's Choice. Now it's time to vote! Rate your favourites by April 29.
Submit a nomination for the People's Choice Award
March 23, 2015 – Submit a nomination for the People's Choice Heritage Awards, to be held in conjunction with the City Heritage Awards.
Learn more about the Heritage and People's Choice awards
Thank you for taking our questionnaires
March 16, 2015 – We're now analyzing the feedback we received and will post the results of the surveys after.
What do you think about heritage conservation in Vancouver?
February 23, 2015 – Share your views about the importance of heritage and conserving historic places in Vancouver in our two questionnaires. Your feedback will help us update our Heritage Conservation Program and improve how we support heritage conservation in Vancouver. The questionnaires close on Friday, March 13.
Questionnaire #1: heritage buildings and conservation
Got 7 minutes? Tell us:
- How you feel about the importance of heritage and conserving historic places in Vancouver
- How you think we're doing with conserving historic and character buildings
Questionnaire #2: Heritage Conservation Program improvements and the conservation of heritage and character homes
Got 20 minutes? Live in Shaughnessy, Dunbar-Southlands, Arbutus-Ridge, Kitsilano, Kerrisdale, or Hastings-Sunrise? Tell us:
- How you feel about the draft vision, goals and strategic directions for the Heritage Conservation Program
- What ways you prefer to encourage conservation of heritage and character homes in:
- First Shaughnessy District
- Certain single family zones in Dunbar-Southlands, Arbutus-Ridge, Kerrisdale, and parts of Kitsilano and Hastings-Sunrise
We recommend reading the open house information displays below before taking the questionnaire.
Read the open house information displays
(3 MB)Open houses to launch plan and review of character homes
February 18, 2015 – Share your ideas about future improvements and initiatives for our Heritage Conservation Program, and ways to support preserving more heritage homes and to encourage retaining pre-1940 homes. Join us at one of our open houses:
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New building bylaw provisions protect heritage buildings
December 3, 2014 – The deputy chief building official published a bulletin on the alternate methods now considered in the 2014 Vancouver Building Bylaw to conserve heritage buildings and those with heritage character merit.
Read the Vancouver Building Bylaw bulletin
(69 KB)Review of the Heritage Conservation Program
Fall 2014 – Work began with an advisory committee made up of key stakeholders and consultants to review the current Heritage Conservation Program by looking at best practices and how to improve processes. Heritage consultants began researching and assessing options to encourage the retention of character homes.
Council adopts temporary procedures to protect pre-1940 character homes
June 10, 2014 – Council adopted the following temporary procedures to protect pre-1940 character homes:
- Prohibit the demolition of character homes in the First Shaughnessy District (architectural and heritage area that is bordered by 16th Avenue, Oak Street, King Edward Avenue, and East Boulevard) for one year to allow for a zoning review and development of enhanced heritage retention tools, as a quick start of the Heritage Action Plan. This temporary protection period extends to June 24, 2015.
- Review the character merit of pre-1940 houses proposed for demolition in certain zones of the city. If a house is deemed to have character merit, property owners can take advantage of discretionary zoning density increases if they choose to retain the home.
- Expedite smaller heritage retention projects. Certain smaller heritage retention projects will be exempt from financial review requirements.
- Require the reuse and recycling of materials from demolished homes – 75 per cent from pre-1940s houses, 90 per cent from character homes – to reduce landfill waste. This strategy is the first step towards meeting requirements of the Metro Vancouver Solid Waste Plan to divert construction waste from the landfill and also supports the Greenest City Action Plan.
Council approves Heritage Action Plan
December 4, 2013 – City Council gives approval for work to begin on the Heritage Action Plan. The plan is an update of the City’s existing Heritage Conservation Program.
Read the Council report
(166 KB)
Documents
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- Introducing Character Home Retention Incentives and New Housing Choices in RS Zones (Single-family) - Proposed Amendments to the Zoning and Development Bylaw (July 2017) (2 MB)
- Character Home Zoning Review – Report Back and Directions (May 2017) (8 MB)
- Character Home Zoning Review – Public Consultation Update (March 2017) (9 MB)
- Procedures to protect pre-1940 character homes (June 2014) (411 KB)
- Construction and Demolition Waste Diversion Strategy for Pre-1940 Homes (June 2014) (68 KB)
- Heritage Action Plan (December 2013) (166 KB)
- Introducing Character Home Retention Incentives and New Housing Choices in RS Zones (Single-family) - Proposed Amendments to the Zoning and Development Bylaw (July 2017)
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June and July 2017: Heritage Action Plan
May and June 2017: Character home retention incentives
- Open house information boards (4 MB)
- Questionnaire summary (330 KB)
November and December 2016: Character home zoning review
Consultation summaries:
Open house information displays:
- Background (3.2 MB)
- Study areas (7.5 MB)
- Zoning options (3.14 MB)
- Regulatory approach (1.7 MB)
- Other considerations (3.1 MB)
December 2015: Character home zoning review (single family homes)
- Summary of stakeholder workshop (3.8 MB)
April 2015: First Shaughnessy
- Consultation on First Shaughnessy recommendations (378 KB)
- Information displays (630 KB)
March 2015
- Heritage Action Plan consultation summary (1 MB)
- Open house questionnaire consulation summary (3.02 MB)
February 2015
- Information displays (3 MB)
- Questionnaire (230 KB)
- Open house information boards
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- Retention and renovation of character merit buildings - scope and documentation (180 KB)
- Conservation of Heritage Buildings and Compliance with Vancouver’s Building Bylaw (69 KB)
- Heritage or Character Buildings Review – Interim Procedure (140 KB)
- Heritage Proforma Review – Interim Policy (147 KB)
- Demolition Permits for Pre-1940 Houses – Waste Recycling Requirements (148 KB)
- Procedure for Review of Protected Heritage Property Status in the First Shaughnessy heritage Conservation Area (Heritage Character and Heritage Value Assessment) (182 KB)
- Retention and renovation of character merit buildings - scope and documentation
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Guides
Bylaws
Consultant team
As we implement this plan, we'll be working with a consultant team that includes:
- Donald Luxton and Associates (principal)
- CitySpaces
- Coriolis Consulting Corporation
- Young Anderson Barristers and Solicitors
- GHL Consultants Ltd.
- Dunster and Associates Environmental Consultants Ltd.
- Dr. Angela Piccini
- Dr. Harold Kalman
Advisory groups and partners
The following City of Vancouver advisory groups are key partners in the work of the Heritage Conservation Program. They offer advice and support to City Council and staff. These groups are:
Questions about the Heritage Action Plan? Contact us
heritageactionplan@vancouver.ca
Zlatan Jankovic
Staff contact
zlatan.jankovic@vancouver.ca
604-871-6448
