Explore this webpage to learn more about the Heritage Conservation Area, how we got here, what it means for your house and how to receive updates about any changes to the program.
The purpose of the Queen's Park Heritage Conservation Area is to retain the existing heritage values of the neighbourhood while, at the same time, managing change. Of greatest importance is that changes respect the existing heritage character of the streetscape, and that major design elements be traditional and appropriate for the neighbourhood.
Houses in the Queen's Park Heritage Conservation Area are categorized as either Protected or Non-protected. Based on the protection level, owners may be required to apply for a Heritage Alteration Permit for certain renovations, to demolish a house, to build a new house, or to build a laneway or carriage house.
Building or Renovating in Queen's Park
One-on-One Meetings
One-on-one meetings with City staff are available to owners and residents of Protected properties in the Queen's Park neighbourhood. The purpose of the one-on-one meetings is to answer questions you may have about how the heritage protection relates to buying, selling, building, and renovating Protected properties in the Conservation Area. If you are making an application, you can meet at any stage of the process, whether you have an idea, are working through the permit process, or are completing your project.
Meetings may be up to an hour in length and there is no charge for this service. To book a one-on-one meeting with an area Planner, please call 604-527-4532.
Property Categories In The Queen's Park Heritage Conservation Area
Properties in the Queen's Park Heritage Conservation Area (HCA) are categorized as either Protected or Non-protected.
You can check the status of your property using the maps and table provided below. Please note, these are provided for convenience only. Contact the Planning Division to confirm the status of your property.
Owners of houses in the Non-protected category, who feel that their properties have strong enough heritage merit, could change to the Protected category by applying to list the house on the Heritage Register. Once a property is included on the Heritage Register it would also become part of the Protected category and would be eligible for any incentives adopted. There is no fee associated with the application.
Heritage Alteration Permits (HAP) and Design Guidelines
The Heritage Conservation Area places design control on houses in Queen's Park.
If you wish to renovate or demolish your house, build a new house, or build a laneway or carriage house, you may be required to apply to the City for a Heritage Alteration Permit (HAP) to show that the proposed work is in keeping with the design guidelines. The work that requires a Heritage Alteration Permit is summarized in the table below. You can learn more about when a Heritage Alteration Permit is required in the Queen's Park Heritage Conservation Area Guide, or by contacting the Planning Division.
Applications will be reviewed for their compatibility with either the acceptable or recommended design guidelines. Final approval of the application will be considered by the Director of Climate Action, Planning and Development.
If required, you must also apply for a Building Permit once the Heritage Alteration Permit has been approved. Visit the City's Building Webpage for more information.
Category
Renovation
New Construction
Demolition
Protected Properties
An HAP is required for renovations to the front or sides of a home, or to the roof visible from the street.
The design guidelines in Section B are relevant for these applications.
No HAP is required for changes such as interior alterations, changes to paint colour, routine maintenance, or exterior alterations to the rear of the building.
An HAP is required for the construction of a laneway or carriage house.
The design guidelines in Section A are relevant for these applications.
An HAP is required to allow the demolition of a home.
Non-Protected Properties
No HAP is required for alterations to the existing building.
An HAP is required for the construction of a new house.
The design guidelines in Section A and Section C are relevant for these applications.
Yes! If your property is protected under the Heritage Conservation Area you are allowed additional floor space, beyond what was previously available. The floor space of your house can now be up to a maximum of 70% of your property size. For example, if your property is 6,000 square feet, your house can be up to 4,200 square feet. (This is called a 0.7 Floor Space Ratio). If your house is already at the maximum, you can still renovate, but need to stay within the floor space limit in the Zoning Bylaw.
The effect of the Heritage Conservation Area for Protected properties is that design guidelines now apply for additions or other changes if the work proposed would make changes to the house that are visible from the street (front, sides or roof). This includes any changes to windows and doors. No additional permits are required and no design guidelines apply if the renovation is at the back of the house only and/or the interior.
For Non-protected properties, you can continue to do renovations to build a bigger house if it is not yet at the maximum. The floor space of your house can be up to a maximum of 50% of your property size. For example, if your property is 6,000 square feet, your house can be up to 3,000 square feet. (This is called a 0.5 Floor Space Ratio). The other regulations in the Zoning Bylaw, such as setbacks and height, also still apply.
The need to apply for a Heritage Alteration Permit (HAP) depends on the category of your property and the type of work you intend to do.
For Protected properties, an HAP is required for any changes to the outside of the house that are visible from the street (front, sides, or roof). An HAP is also required for the construction of laneway and carriage houses. Demolition of a Protected house will only be permitted under specific circumstances.
For Non-protected properties, an HAP is not required for renovations and demolitions. However, an HAP is required for the construction of a new house, and for laneway and carriage houses.
Protecting your house adds value to the Heritage Conservation Area and makes the property eligible for incentives, such as higher permitted density.
However, if you believe the house has minimal heritage value and does not warrant protection, you can apply to remove the protection. The application would require hiring a heritage professional to assess the heritage value of your house and make a formal request of Council. The same Evaluation Checklist will be used to assess applications. Contact the Planning Division about making an application. Final approval is considered by Council after a public hearing has been held.
Alternatively, if you have a Non-protected property and believe your property has heritage value you can consider applying to have your property protected. It would become part of the Protected category and would be eligible for incentives. There is no fee associated with the application and Council makes the final decision.
Demolition of a Protected home in Queen's Park is only permitted under specific circumstances.
The Heritage Alteration Permit application to demolish a home will be reviewed against the Evaluation Checklist, which is organized into three categories:
1. Heritage Character and Merit Intent: Retain neighbourhood buildings with heritage merit in order to retain the historic character of the neighbourhood.
2. Development Potential Intent: Retain a property owner's right to make additions up to the size of building permitted under the existing Zoning Bylaw.
3. Condition and Integrity Intent: Consider the condition of the house, the integrity of its historic elements, and the work required to achieve heritage retention.
Each criteria on the checklist will be scored. If a house receives an overall score of 60% or less, demolition will be considered reasonable. It is then likely that the HAP application for demolition will be approved. If the house receives a score of more than 60%, retention will be considered reasonable and the HAP application for demolition will likely not be approved.
The City recognizes that protecting properties is valuable to the community at large and contributes to New Westminster's character. Incentives for Protected properties, including additional floor space allowances, recognize this contribution.
Incentives do not apply to Non-protected properties. However, homes in this category that have heritage value can apply to protect their property. If successful this would mean that the owner would be entitled to the incentives.
Heritage Revitalization Agreements (HRAs) provide a higher level of protection (through Heritage Designation) than what is provided in the Heritage Conservation Area. HRAs may be applied to Protected properties in exchange for additional incentives. Non-protected properties with heritage value may also be eligible for incentives through an HRA.
The City now permits the development of laneway and carriage houses on many single detached dwelling properties, including those in Queen's Park. You will be required to meet all zoning regulations and the intent of the design guidelines for both the Heritage Conservation Area and the Laneway and Carriage House Development Permit Area. For more information, visit the Laneway and Carriage House webpage.
