Registering a Heritage Property

Registering a Heritage Property in Nova Scotia

Registration of a heritage building can be done at the provincial or municipal level and properties can be registered by multiple levels of government. Registration has many benefits including access to grants, ensuring the long-term preservation of the building, demonstrating the value of built heritage through display of a registration plaque and many more.

The process for registering a heritage building is governed by the Heritage Property Act and is similar across levels of government but with each community applying its own perspective. For information on what factors are considered for all registries, visit the province’s heritage properties information page. To find out how to register a heritage building in your community contact your municipal government and ask how to contact the Heritage Advisory Committee.

We are always happy to help you in this process in any way we can. You can reach us by email or phone.

Benefits of Heritage Restoration

Benefits of Heritage Registration

There are a number of important personal and collective benefits that can be realized by seeking heritage registration for your property.

  • Greater Legal Protections Against Demolitions

Demolition or removal of designated heritage properties is prohibited or restricted under the Heritage Property Act. 

  • Access to Financial Incentives

Owners of registered heritage properties are eligible to apply for grants to support ongoing maintenance, preservation and restoration work to the exterior of their buildings.

  • Preservation of Historical Character and Sense of Place

Heritage designation will help to ensure that the unique historical character of our neighbourhoods and communities is preserved.

How to Apply for Heritage Designation

How to Apply for Heritage Designation

Registration of a heritage building can be done at the provincial or municipal level, and properties can be registered by multiple levels of government. Registration has many benefits, including access to grants, ensuring the long-term preservation of the building, demonstrating the value of built heritage through display of a registration plaque, and many more.

The process for registering a heritage building is governed by the Heritage Property Act and is similar across levels of government, with each community applying its own perspective. For information on what factors are considered for all registries, visit the province’s heritage properties information page. To find out how to register a heritage building in your community, contact your municipal government and ask how to reach the Heritage Advisory Committee.

We are always happy to help you in this process in any way we can. You can reach us by email or phone.

Research Aids

Research Aids

Using Property Online

The first step in researching your property is to establish a chain of ownership from the earliest owner to more recent times. This information can usually be found through the Province’s Property Online database. The following guide offers step-by-step instructions for researchers on how to use Property Online to trace the title holders of your property.

Click here for the guide [link TBD]

Nova Scotia Archives

The Nova Scotia Archives contains a wealth of information, including historical maps and genealogical records, that are invaluable aids when researching heritage buildings. Visit archives.novascotia.ca/builtheritage.

Register of Historic Places

The Canadian Register of Historic Places is no longer online, but the records for Nova Scotian properties are available through the Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia. Contact contact@htns.ca for access.

Memory Map

This online tool uses historic maps and digital analysis to allow you to explore Halifax as it was in 1878 and 1899.

Click here to begin your exploration [link TBD]

Heritage Trust Reference Collection

The Trust has a small research collection containing materials related to built heritage preservation, planning, and the history of specific buildings and communities.

Click here to learn about the materials available and how to access them [link TBD]

Common Misconceptions About Heritage Designation

Designation Will Make My House Harder to Sell In the Future

  • False. Research indicates that the sales rates and property values of designated heritage buildings perform as well as, or better, than the general market.

I Won’t be Able to Get Insurance on My Property

I Won’t Be Able Renovate My House

False. Changes to the exterior of a designated building simply need to respect its character-defining elements (i.e. the features of the house that give it its heritage value).  Designations do not apply to interior of the building, so interior renovations are not impacted.

How to Apply for Heritage Registration

Designation Will Make My House Harder to Sell In the Future

  • False. Research indicates that the sales rates and property values of designated heritage buildings perform as well as, or better, than the general market.

I Won’t be Able to Get Insurance on My Property

I Won’t Be Able Renovate My House

False. Changes to the exterior of a designated building simply need to respect its character-defining elements (i.e. the features of the house that give it its heritage value).  Designations do not apply to interior of the building, so interior renovations are not impacted.