SOUTH ROSEDALE HERITAGE DISTRICT

Q. When do you need a Heritage Permit?
A. When you alter the property’s façade (street appearance).

Should you want to make changes to your Rosedale property’s façade, you will need a Heritage Permit! Always check before you begin any work.

South Rosedale Heritage District – what does it mean?

South Rosedale Heritage Conservation District is designated under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act by City of Toronto By-law No. 115-2003, enacted on February 7, 2003. The Designated Area: https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/bylaws/2003/law0115.pdf

This means a Heritage Permit is required for exterior alterations to the façade. This includes items like windows, door, railings, or exterior elevation features – And also removal or replacement of decorative trim.

a. (s. 42(1) Ontario Heritage Act and s. 103-3.2 of the Toronto Municipal Code)

Should you decide to alter your house.

Prior to any renovations, you are required to submit a request with City of Toronto Building Permit that may be required. An application should be submitted before you begin any work. Here is the link to get started https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/building-construction/apply-for-a-building-permit/building-permit-application-guides/renovation-and-new-house-guides/small-residential-additions/

When do you need a Heritage Permit?

A heritage permit is required for work that may alter the façade appearance of your house (rated or un-rated) in our Heritage Conservation District and is needed, in addition to, any City of Toronto Building Permit that may be required. For a Heritage Permit a request should be made directly to Heritage Preservation Services (HPS) within the City Planning Department. Here is the link to get started https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/building-construction/apply-for-a-building-permit/building-permit-application-guides/renovation-and-new-house-guides/small-residential-additions/

For a Heritage Permit a request should be made directly to Heritage Preservation Services (HPS) within the City Planning Department (see below for links).

What it covers: Heritage permits are required for any work (except general maintenance), carried out on the street-facing facades of all buildings. This includes work that otherwise would not require a building permit, such as the replacement of windows and doors, the removal or replacement of decorative trim.

What constitutes a front façade change that would need a Heritage Permit?

Removal and replacement of original windows and doors – Creation of new window and door openings –

Alteration of existing cladding and/or brickwork – Painting of brick front façade – Installation of new siding – Installation of new skylights – Making any changes to the front porch of your home – can include alterations to the landscape of the front of the property

Examples:

The rules apply only to what can be seen from the street. Changes are encouraged to revert to the original appearance of the building.

For example, the following projects would be subject to review by HPS:

· Replacement of windows and doors

· Installation of new siding

· Installation of new skylights

· Creation of new window and door openings

· Alteration of existing cladding and/or brickwork

· Making any changes to the front porch of your home

How to Apply for a Heritage Permit?

How to Apply for a Heritage Permit:

The following is typical of the process to obtain a Heritage permit Contact City staff to set up a meeting with the Heritage Preservation Services unit. South Rosedale’s Heritage Planning contact is Will Thomas – Assistant Heritage Planner.

Prepare a sketch showing the location of the proposed work on the building.

Prepare drawings, sketches, or plans of the proposed work.

Take photographs of the building, showing its current condition in the area where the work is to be done.

Gather any additional documents that support approval of the proposed project.

Meet with Heritage Preservation Services staff to discuss the application.

If City staff determines the application conforms to the community’s HCD guidelines, they will expedite the necessary Heritage and building permits. If the application does not meet the guidelines, City staff will suggest ways to modify the project to secure the required heritage permits. It is very important to determine if a Heritage permit is required as failure to do so can result in fines, stop work orders and removal of for example newly installed un-permitted windows that do not conform to the spirit of and intent of the Heritage characteristic of the heritage area, property, or original windows. To apply for a heritage permit, to go https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/planning-development/heritage-preservation/heritage-permit-guide/

Or you can contact the following City of Toronto Heritage Preservation staff:

Will Thomas – Assistant Planner | Heritage Planning – City Planning Division – Urban Design, Heritage | Toronto City Hall 100 Queen Street, West | Toronto, ON M5H 2N2 Tel: 416-392-6434 |will.thomas@Toronto.ca

Last Comment – Keep your neighbours in the loop:

It is always recommended you engage your surrounding neighbours (north, south, east and west) by sharing any plans that require a Heritage Permit and a City Build Permit as your plans will most likely impact on your neighbours day-to-day enjoyment and access to their properties. Better to have them aware and on-side with your plans.