Heritage Conservation

Council recognizes the value and importance of heritage conservation. Because of this, Council initiated a Heritage Strategic Action Plan planning process and oversees a Voluntary Municipal Heritage Designation Program.

Heritage Strategic Action Plan

The Plan is a review of tools, policies, approaches, and roles of various local organizations involved in heritage and cultural education, promotion and preservation. The need for clear direction for a heritage program was identified by Council in 2018.

Consultants, staff and a Council advisory committee (Heritage Advisory Committee) are working on completing this public planning process. Stay tuned for upcoming opportunities to provide your input on the draft Plan.

If you would like to be contacted for updates throughout the public engagement process or have comments, please contact the Planning and Strategic Initiatives Department at 604.793.2906 or planning@chilliwack.com. 

Voluntary Municipal Heritage Designation Program

Designating a site as a protected heritage property is a legislative tool we can use to help maintain a legacy for the future.

The purpose of designation is to protect a heritage building from unsympathetic alteration and subsequent loss of character or value (some alterations may be required for ongoing use).

The Local Government Act gives Council the power to designate heritage properties
by bylaw and dictates the process we must follow to protect a property.

The designation process applies to properties identified in the 1991 Chilliwack Heritage Inventory, a list of properties that have heritage significance.

As part of the designation process

• The property owner(s) complete a Request for Heritage Designation and Waiver of Compensation form*
• A Statement of Significance is prepared (reasons why the property is considered to have heritage value or character)
• Council places notification in the local newspaper
• A Public Hearing is scheduled

For a complete list of procedures, please see Heritage Designation Policy G-15

*The Local Government Act requires the municipality to compensate an owner whose land is reduced in market value as a result of such designation. Given the provisions of the Act for compensation, the City of Chilliwack has established a policy to support voluntary designation only, in which homeowners waive future claims for compensation.

Changes to the exterior of a designated building require a Heritage Alteration Permit. Owner(s) are required to complete a Heritage Alteration Permit Application form. 

The following properties have municipal heritage bylaws and are legally protected under the Local Government Act:

Adanac House	Jean McNaughton Park
November 21, 1994	February 17, 1992
Caskey House	Carmichael House
November 21, 1994	May 16, 1994
Walker House	Princess Armories
October 30, 1989	February 25, 1991
Yarrow Post Office	Former City Hall
February 14, 1983	January 26, 1981
Gervan House	Stonehurst House
June 18, 2013	June 18, 2013
Brock House	Promontory Womens' Institute Hall
May 22, 2014	August 2, 1988
Skelton House	Rolfe House
March 20, 2018	May 15, 2018

For additional information please contact the City of Chilliwack, Long Range Planning Department at 604 793 2906 or planning@chilliwack.com.