Cultural Heritage in Newmarket
Cultural heritage is a major part of what makes Newmarket unique. Cultural heritage resources can take many different forms:
- buildings and structures;
- streetscapes and landscapes;
- cemeteries and archaeological sites; and
- documents, photographs and artefact collections.
Cultural heritage resources tell us who we are, where we have come from and what we have accomplished. These resources not only enrich us, inspire us, enlighten us and guide us in our growth, but they also can be a form of community economic development as the spin-offs of heritage conservation can bring tourist dollars into the community; help revitalize a main street; create jobs; enhance a neighbourhood and increase property values and the municipal tax base.
The Town of Newmarket employs several different methods for protecting built heritage. The Town has designated properties under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act. The Town has also created a Heritage Conservation District under Part V of the Act.
For advice on built heritage matters Council looks to the Planning Department and the Newmarket Heritage Committee.
For further information on heritage matters in Newmarket please visit the Heritage and History page.
Heritage Registy
Section 27 of the Ontario Heritage Act requires the clerk of every local municipality to keep an up to date register of properties of cultural heritage value or interest located in the municipality.
The municipal register is the official list or record of cultural heritage properties identified as being important to the community and must include all properties in the municipality that are designated under Part IV (individual designation) and Part V (district designation) of the Ontario Heritage Act, as of 2005.
Please be advised that the name and address of owners of property designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act (individually designated properties) are not included in the electronic version of the Register, but as per Section 27 of the Act, are available upon request. Please make requests to the Town's Cultural Heritage Planner either in writing or via email at heritageplanning@newmarket.ca.
Designated PropertiesNewmarket has designated 47 properties under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act and 72 properties as part of the Lower Main Street South Heritage Conservation District (HCD) under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act. These properties are designated due to their cultural and architectural heritage value. They are protected from demolition and changes to the building must be sensitive to their heritage value. The Planning Department keeps the Municipal Register of Properties Designated Under the Heritage Act. Please contact the Planning Department for additional information regarding property designation and/or alterations to a designated property.
Contact the Planning Department for additional information regarding eligible tax breaks for designated heritage properties.
Municipal Register of Non-Designated PropertiesThe Ontario Heritage Act also allows municipalities to include properties of cultural heritage value that are not designated on the municipal registry. This is commonly known as "listing."
Listing is a means to formally identify properties that may be of cultural heritage value or interest to the community. You can read more about the effects of a property being "listed" at the Ministry of Tourism and Culture website.
The Town of Newmarket Municipal Register of non-designated properties that are of heritage value or interest is listed below. The Register is broken down into seven parts. The properties are listed by street name alphabetically.
The Town of Newmarket maintains the official list of heritage properties identified as being important to the community. Under the Ontario Heritage Act, permits are required for certain works on properties that are designated on the heritage registry list.
When is a Heritage Permit Required? When you are making:
- Alterations to or demolition of a designated property;
- Alterations to or demolition of a property within the Heritage Conservation District.
When is a Heritage Permit NOT required? When you are conducting:
- General repairs to weather-stripping, eaves troughs, roofs, chimneys, fences, existing cladding;
- Repair of broken window panes to original specifications;
- Backyard patios, garden sheds, gazebos and other small outbuildings that are not readily visible from the street (and which do not require a Building Permit);
- Planting and removal of vegetation on private property.
Municipal Tax Rebates for Heritage Properties
The Town of Newmarket offers a tax rebate for heritage properties, subject to designation and the registration of a heritage easement agreement. To apply, please complete the Heritage Tax rebate form and submit it to Planning Services.
