Recognition of Heritage

Street Markers are used to identify heritage streets.

Storyboards are used to inform and educate the public about significant areas, trees, landscapes or structures.Take a virtual tour of Surrey's storyboards here.

Tree Plaques are used to identify and provide information about heritage trees.

Heritage Site Plaques are used to identify and provide information about heritage buildings.

Willard Kitchen House
Protected by Heritage Revitalization Agreement
By-law, No. 16196.

A Heritage Revitalization Agreement is a by-law in the form of an agreement between the City and the owner.  It is significantly different from heritage designation, as it has the flexibility to vary requirements found in other by-laws, either by being more restrictive or providing relaxations to by-law requirements.

A Heritage Revitalization Agreement is most useful where creative solutions, including incentives, are needed to retain a heritage building, structure or feature in a new development.  This could apply to a rezoning, subdivision or a development permit.  Examples of variances include lot size, setbacks, building height, use or density, parking, landscaping, park or open space requirements, or development cost charges.   If a Heritage Revitalization Agreement varies use or density, Council must hold a Public Hearing.  The Agreement may be altered, but only with the consent of both the property owner and the City.

W. Gillis House
Protected by Heritage Conservation Covenant
Listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places 

A Heritage Conservation Covenant is an agreement that protects part or all of a heritage property.  It is negotiated with property owners and registered on title of the land.  A Covenant can apply to either a natural or built feature.  The owner signs the Covenant with either the City or another interested party such as a heritage society.  However, unlike a Heritage Revitalization Agreement, a Heritage Conservation Covenant cannot vary other City regulations such as zoning.  It is most useful where no changes to a property or building are proposed to take place, and the owner wishes to enter into a covenant with the City to ensure long-term protection.

A Heritage Designation By-law is adopted to protect a building, structure or other heritage feature, and it can be done with or without the owner's consent.  A heritage designation by-law may also protect specific interior features or a heritage landscape feature. The By-law can prohibit exterior alterations including structural changes, the moving of a structure, excavation or other actions that would damage the protected features.  Alterations to a designated building, structure or feature cannot be made without special approval from the City.

Old Anniedale School
protected by Designation By-law, 1986, No. 8579. 
Listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places 

Heritage Conservation Areas are included as part of the Official Community Plan. These provide protection to larger areas of heritage significance. The type of protection can be customized to fit the circumstances of selected properties, and these must be listed on a schedule. In this case, protection can apply to part or all of a property.  Not all properties included within the Heritage Conservation Area need to be protected. Those with little or no heritage value can be excluded, or have fewer conditions placed on them. There are presently no Heritage Conservation Areas in Surrey, although several areas are under consideration.

Christ Church
Protected by Designation By-law, 1980, No. 6442
Listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places