The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is required by Section 27 of the Ontario Heritage Act to keep a publicly accessible Registry of both the Municipalities formally designated Heritage Properties and properties deemed to have cultural, historical, or architectural interest by Council as recommended by Heritage Chatham-Kent. There are currently thirty-nine (39) designated heritage properties in Chatham-Kent and no Heritage Conservation District. Formal designation by By-law provides the property with protection against demolition or alteration.

Properties that appear on the Registry which have not undergone formal designation are provided with interim protection. Heritage Chatham-Kent and Council have recognized these sites to be of historical interest. Owners of these properties are required to give Council sixty (60) days notice of their intention to demolish. This allows time for Council to decide whether to begin the designation process, which provides properties with permanent protection.