Designated Properties

Heritage designation is Council’s formal recognition of the heritage value of the property and its significance to the community. Designation helps to ensure the conservation of these important places for the enjoyment of present and future generations.

The Ontario Heritage Act enables municipalities to pass by-laws designating individual properties under Part IV of the Act or multiple properties within a defined area as a Heritage Conservation District under Part V of the Act.

An individual property may merit Part IV designation if it meets one or more of the following designation criteria: the property has design or physical value; the property has historical or associative value; or the property has contextual value. Designation by-laws will identify the property’s heritage attributes that contribute to its cultural heritage value. Clarington currently has over 70 designated properties.

A Part V Heritage Conservation District comprises an area with a concentration of heritage properties and resources with a special character or historical association that distinguishes it from its surroundings. A by-law adopting a district plan with guidelines to manage change in the district is required for each Heritage Conservation District. Clarington has one Heritage Conservation District, the Beech Avenue HCD.

Find out more about heritage designation on the Frequently Asked Questions page.

Heritage Designations - Information Session

There are many unique and historically significant landmarks and properties across Clarington, each of which is important to our community's history and culture. Clarington is committed to preserving these properties through Heritage Designations, which protect their historical, cultural, and architectural significance for future generations.

Learn more about what it means to be a Heritage property owner, the facts, myths, and benefits of Heritage Designations, and the initiatives and grants available through Clarington's recent Heritage Information Session, which was held on October 23, 2024.

Check out our interactive Heritage Properties map to view Clarington's heritage inventory, designated properties, and the municipal register.