Heritage Planning in Canada

Surrey is participating in the National Historic Places Initiative, which is a multi-phased program aimed at conserving and celebrating Canada's historic places. The centerpiece of the initiative is the Canadian Register of Historic Places allowing heritage sites from across Canada to be listed and viewable on a single on-line register. Other components include a new standard for the renovation of heritage buildings, certification program for building renovations and federal financial incentives.

More information about the Historic Places Initiative and Surrey's nationally recognized heritage sites is available at the following Parks Canada links:

Introduction: Canada's Historic Places Initiative 

Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places 

Commercial Heritage Properties Incentive Fund 

Surrey on the Canadian Register of Historic Places 

Red Cedar Stump
Protected by Designation By-law, 1985, No. 8131
Listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places 

Heritage Planning in British Columbia

Surrey City Council is empowered to undertake heritage conservation under the Local Government Act. This legislation provides a "toolkit" for heritage planning, which includes:

Heritage Inspections - The City can give notice for a property to be visually inspected to determine if it has heritage significance.

Heritage Impact Assessments - Owner or developers can be required to provide information prior to development about the heritage significance of a site or building, and how to maintain heritage character.

Temporary Heritage Protection - A by-law or order by Council can prevent or suspend work on a heritage site or building, to allow for time to discuss the effects of the work and consider recognition or protection.

Recognition of Heritage - Heritage sites and roads can be recognized by the placement of plaques and signs.

Listing of Heritage Places - By resolution, Council may list properties with have heritage value or heritage character on a Community Heritage Register.

Voluntary Heritage Protection - A property owner and the City can agree about how a heritage property or building is to be maintained. Regulations such as zoning can be varied to accommodate continued or adaptive uses while giving flexibility for sensitive and profitable development.

Council-initiated Heritage Protection - Through By-laws, Council can designate properties so that works such as interior or exterior alterations, landscaping or moving of buildings will be subject to guidelines and review before undertaken.

City Financial and Non-financial Incentives - Sites having voluntary or Council protection may be eligible for City property tax exemption, matching grants for renovations and relaxation of code requirements to accommodate long-term preservation of protected properties.

Under the Land Title Act, the following tool is available:

Heritage Conservation Covenants - A property owner and the City may have a legal agreement concerning the conservation of a natural or built heritage resource attached to the title of the property.

More information is available in the publication Heritage Conservation: A Community Guide

Peace Arch
Listed on Surrey's Heritage Register
Listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places 

Stewart Farmhouse
Protected by Designation By-law, 1984, No. 7823
Listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places