Niagara-on-the-Lake is a beautiful, historic part of the Niagara Region and has been an attractive area to call home for those who grew up there, and those looking to call it “home” for the first time. So, is buying in Niagara on the Lake the same as buying a house anywhere? Well, not exactly – there are a few things that make NOTL a special area that you should think about:
1. Wetlands – What on earth is that and why does it matter? Provincially significant wetlands have been identified in Niagara-on-the-Lake since the 1980’s, however these have been expanded since 2003. Wetlands are protected areas and development and site alterations can be restricted in these areas. You should make sure you know the details of the property you are going to buy, especially if it contains this historically significant area.
2. Heritage Designation – A lot of the beauty of Niagara-on-the-Lake is in its historical feel, which is often maintained through Heritage Conservation Districts and historical designations. These designations allow the town to guide future changes in these areas of special character, which can impact on your ability to make changes to your property.
3. Property Standards – Niagara-on-the-Lake has a specific set of property standards that are set out in the Property Standards By-Law and the Clean Yards By-Law which set the standards for maintenance of buildings and yards. These By-Laws are strictly enforced and should be reviewed and adhered to in order to maintain compliance.
Your real estate agent can give you specific information about any property designations you should be aware of before you buy in this beautiful, historic area! A qualified Real Estate Lawyer (like us at Angle Law) can answer any questions you may have.
Connect with us here if you have questions!
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Lauren M. Angle, B.A. (Hons) J.D. #notl #niagaraonthelake #niagararealestate