Heritage Designation | City of Kawartha Lakes

We conserve our heritage resources through heritage designation. Designation recognizes and celebrates important historic properties in Kawartha Lakes and helps manage change to ensure that the important buildings in our communities retain their historic character. Designation may also make properties eligible for financial incentives through our Community Improvement Plan.

Properties can either be designated individually under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act or as part of a heritage conservation district under Part V of the Act.

Individually Designated Properties

Heritage properties are designated individually under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act and are evaluated for designation based on provincial criteria that examine their architectural, historical and contextual value.

We have many designated properties throughout Kawartha Lakes each with their own importance and story. You can explore our heritage properties below and access their designating by-laws. Heritage evaluation reports outlining the history and significance of each property are also available for our newer designations.

You can also explore our heritage properties by viewing our Heritage Register. Please be aware that the Heritage Register is currently being updated and a new version of this document will be uploaded to the website shortly. Should you have questions about properties on the Register, please contact us.

Are you interested in designating your property?

The City regularly designated heritage properties throughout our community. Many of these requests come from property owners who are able to self nominate their properties for designation. If you are interested in having your historic property designated, please contact us to learn more and start the process! Learn more about heritage designation through our Heritage Designation Guide.

Are you currently the owner of a listed property looking for information regarding changes to heritage protection in Ontario surrounding Bill 23? Please consult our Bill 23 and Heritage Designation fact sheet for more information and frequently asked questions or reach out to staff to discuss these changes and next steps.

Heritage Conservation Districts

Heritage Conservation Districts are areas that form a cohesive streetscape or landscape with a shared history and shared characteristics. Districts can include streetscapes, groups of buildings, landscapes, and natural features.

Heritage Conservation Districts are identified through studies and are managed by a Heritage Conservation District plan which is written individually for each new district that is created. A District plan provides guidelines for management and growth within the designated area and advice for property owners to help them maintain the heritage character of their property.

Kawartha Lakes has two heritage conservation districts, each with its own guidelines and plan which are available online, through the Economic Development Office, and at the Kawartha Lakes Public Library.

Downtown Lindsay

Downtown Lindsay forms the historic commercial core of Lindsay and boasts one of the widest historic main streets in Ontario and a significant and intact collection of nineteenth and early twentieth century commercial and institutional buildings. The district represents a key stage of Lindsay's development as a commercial and regional centre in Kawartha Lakes and its military, commercial, and institutional history.

Learn more about this district through its Heritage Conservation District Study and Heritage Conservation District Plan.

historic photograph of Fenelon Falls and canal

Oak Street

The Oak Street Heritage Conservation District is a rare example of a nineteenth century rural estate in Kawartha Lakes that was redeveloped as a planned residential subdivision around the turn of the twentieth century. It has heritage value through its distinct Victorian and Edwardian homes, the original estate house and grounds, and the adjacent Trent-Severn Waterway and rail corridor.

Learn more about this district through its Heritage Conservation District Study and Heritage Conservation District Plan.

Districts in Development

New heritage conservation district studies are initiated by Council, often at the request of local community groups. Information on heritage conservation districts in development can be found below.

There are currently no new heritage conservation districts in development.

Are you interested in creating a heritage conservation district in your community? In order to reflect community interest in heritage conservation district development, we accept community suggestions for districts. Please review our Heritage Conservation Strategy for more information on how districts are nominated and developed.

Explore Our Heritage Properties

Use our interactive mapping tool explore and learn more about our individually designated heritage properties and heritage conservation districts. Find information regarding the location of our designated properties, the designation by-laws, and cultural heritage evaluation report.

Use the search bar to search a property address or name of a heritage conservation district or explore the map manually. This map can be toggled to full screen using the icon on the bottom right hand corner of the map.

Want to learn more about our heritage? Explore more...

Heritage Inventory Project

Heritage Outreach

Heritage Permitting

Our historic places define our communities, tell our stories, and provide opportunities for the future. The City is undertaking a comprehensive inventory of its historic places, buildings, and landscapes through identifying and documenting the many heritage resources in our communities to understand what resources are present, their significance, and how best to preserve them.

Step back in time and experience the rich tapestry of heritage in Kawartha Lakes by getting involved with an event, workshop, or award presentation. Join us as we celebrate the heritage organizations in our communities dedicated to conserving and displaying the artifacts and archives that tell the rich story of our heritage.

Owners of designated properties, both individually designated and those located in Heritage Conservation Districts, are required to submit an application for a heritage permit prior to making changes to their property. The purpose of the heritage permit process is to ensure any changes are compatible with the heritage character of the property or district.