A heritage conservation district is an area of urban or rural properties (collectively) deemed to have local or community heritage values. All heritage conservation districts are developed ‘by the community for the community’ and must create their own plan and by-law which identify the heritage values of the district and how those values are to be preserved (as required by the Nova Scotia Heritage Property Act). All of the properties contained within the district's boundaries, registered and non-registered, become affected by new plan and by-law.

The heritage value of Barrington Street lies in the historical and architectural significance of its buildings and civic open spaces and its evolution as Halifax’s principal downtown commercial street over the 250 years from settlement to today.

The aim of the Barrington Street Heritage Conservation District is to encourage conservation, restoration and commercial revitalization of Barrington Streets historic buildings, streetscapes, and public spaces. The municipality strives to facilitate this through the creation of carefully created design guidelines, stronger demolition controls, municipal grants, permit fee waivers, and property tax credits.