Driveways and Curbs

Planning to install a new driveway, widen an existing driveway or modify your curb in Burlington? Find out when a driveway modification permit is required. Review the requirements before starting work to help ensure your project meets City of Burlington’s bylaws and approval processes.

When you need a driveway modification permit

The City's driveway modification bylaw regulates the modification of driveways, widening an existing driveway or associated walkway, or converting it to a circular or hammerhead configuration, or by adding a second new driveway. The modification may include a curb cut. Unless your work is subject to a site plan approval, a driveway modification permit is required prior to altering an existing driveway.

Driveway requirements

A driveway is a single passageway or series of interconnected passageways, for exclusive or shared private use, that provides access between a highway, condominium or common roadway and an area used for parking, loading or storing a vehicle.

  • Driveways must generally be perpendicular to the street
  • Driveways should be finished with a material such as asphalt, paving stones, impressed concrete or other durable hard surface
  • Driveways should not obstruct or interfere with City-approved on-street parking spaces
  • Allowable width of the driveway depends on the property width
  • Any modifications to the driveway which result in an increase of hard-scaping area must abide by the regulations in our driveways bylaw, zoning bylaw and apply for a Niagara Escarpment Commission developmentpermit (where applicable)
  • All proposed work must adhere to the public and private tree bylaws

Curbs

Modifications to curb and/or sidewalk must be arranged for by the City of Burlington.

Snow removal

View more information about snow removal and clearing from residential driveways.