Vancouver's heritage

2020

On March 10, 2020, Council approved a progress report on the Heritage Action Plan and the following:

• The new Vancouver Heritage Program including its vision, goals, strategic directions, and new policies and management tools 
• Updated Heritage Property Standards of Maintenance By-law to apply to designated heritage properties city-wide
• The application of the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada to development on heritage sites city-wide
• To complete the Vancouver Heritage Register upgrade through the Vancouver Plan public engagement process

Documents

• Staff report PDF file PDF file (3 MB)
• Heritage Policies PDF file (119 KB)
• Heritage Property Standards of Maintenance By-law PDF file (72 KB)
• Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada External website, opens in new tab

2019

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

2017

Council approves by-law 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.

• Council meeting agenda, minutes, and video
• Staff report PDF file (1.5 MB)
• Staff presentation PDF file (3.7 MB)

Density bank update and Heritage Amenity Shares approved

On July 25, 2017 Council received an update on the on the heritage density bank and approved changes to the Zoning and Development By-law to support heritage conservation. Developments applying for an increase of up to 10% in permitted density on their site may now request to purchase amenity shares to the City’s Heritage Conservation Fund for citywide heritage conservation.

• Council report PDF file (52 KB)

Open houses: Heritage Action Plan emerging directions

June 26, 2017 - We held open houses in June to show recent work on the Heritage Action Plan and to gather feedback on updates to the City’s Heritage Conservation Program.

• Open house information boards PDF file (4 MB)

Draft consultant reports:

• Historic Context Statement and Thematic Framework Summary PDF file (17 MB)
• Vancouver Heritage Register System Plan PDF file (4 MB)
• Heritage Conservation Program Review PDF file (11 MB)

2015

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.

2014

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.

2013

Council approves Heritage Action Plan

December 4, 2013 – City Council approved the start of work on the Heritage Action Plan. The plan is an update of the City’s existing Heritage Conservation Program.

• Council report PDF file (166 KB)