Heritage Register

The Heritage Register is a list of properties identified as having cultural heritage value or interest.

Properties are listed because they are individually designated, located in a designated Heritage Conservation District or have potential cultural heritage value or interest.

Each of these types has a different level of protection, and you may need heritage approval for any work associated with these properties.

There are over 760 properties on the Town of Cobourg Heritage Register.

Who manages the Heritage Register?

The Town, through the Cobourg Heritage Advisory Committee. Property owners, individuals or organizations can recommend properties to be added to the registry or be designated by contacting the Planning department.

How is cultural heritage value or interest determined?

Cultural heritage value or interest is determined by one of three ways.

1 - Design or Physical Value

The property must meet at least one of the following requirements:

Is rare, unique, representative or early example of a style, type, expression, material or construction method; or
Displays a high degree of craftsmanship or artistic merit; or
Demonstrates a high degree of technical or scientific achievement.

2 - Historical or Associative Value

The property must meet at least one of the following requirements:

Has direct associations with a theme, event, belief, person, activity, organization, or institution that is significant to a community; or
Yields, or has potential to yield, information that contributes to an understanding of a community of culture; or
Demonstrates or reflects the work or ideas of an architect, artist, builder, designer or theorist who is significant to a community.

3 - Contextual Value

The property must meet at least one of the following requirements:

Is important in defining, maintaining or supporting the character of an area; or
Is physically, functionally, visually or historically linked to its surroundings; or
Is a landmark.

Why do we have a heritage register?

To keep track of all our heritage properties in the Town. The Register of Properties of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest is created pursuant to Section 27 and Section 39.2 of the Ontario Heritage Act.