You can apply to the City of Burlington for a new building permit or re-submit if you have an existing building permit. Building permits make sure your project is built to the minimum standards set out in the Ontario Building Code and ensure compliance with the City's Official Plan, Zoning Bylaw, Grading and Drainage Bylaw, urban design guidelines and other standards.
If you are not sure if you need a permit, view the information on this page to discover types of projects that do and do not need building permits.
Apply for a new building permit
| How to apply for a new building permit |
| See these steps to learn how to apply for a new building permit. |
| Review requirements for your site plan, property zoning, and grading and drainage |
| View the first three steps of our Building Permit Process to make sure you have the necessary approvals and clearances for your site plan, zoning, and grading and drainage. You must have these approvals and clearances before you can apply for a building permit. |
| Review our Electronic Application Submission Standards |
| We only accept building permit applications through electronic submission. Review our Electronic Building Permit Application Submission Standards. These standards outline how to prepare your digital drawings and documents for submission. We do not accept submissions that do not meet these standards. If you have sent insufficient documents, you will need to re-submit your documents before your application is accepted. |
| Review project-specific building permit application requirements |
| Review the project-specific application checklist that applies to your project. You can find the list of application submission requirements on this page below. You must include all required items from the checklist in your submission package. |
| Complete the Building Permit Application and gather your application requirements |
| Complete the Building Permit Application Form. Gather and complete any additional requirements applicable from Step 2. |
| Submit your building permit application package |
| Send your completed building permit application package to us by email at buildingpermits@burlington.ca. In the subject line, please state "Building Permit Application" followed by the project address, including suite/unit number if applicable. If your package is more than 20 MB, please email us to request a large file transfer.
Example subject line: Building Permit Application - 123 Main St., Unit 7 |
| Receive a response from the City |
| We will email you to let you of next steps for your application. This includes the associated permit fee and how to pay if your application is successful. We will let you know of any questions, if we need more information or if you need to re-submit if the documents are insufficient. |
| Pay the associated building permit fee |
| Follow the instructions set out in our email to pay your building permit fee. Please pay your fee within two days of our response. |
| Receive your building permit and arrange for project inspections |
| We will issue you your building permit once all requirements are completed and fees are paid. Learn how you can book any associated inspections with your permit. View our Building Permit Turnaround Times for information on when to expect your permit. |
Re-submissions to existing permit applications
If you need to re-submit a package for your existing permit application, please follow the same steps as you would for a new application . When you are ready to submit, in the subject line of your email, please state "Building Permit Re-submission" followed by the application number and project address, including suite/unit number if applicable. If your package is more than 20 MB, please email us to request a large file transfer.
- Example subject line: Building Permit Re-submission - 21-123456 - 123 Main St., Unit 7
Project-specific application requirements
View the project-specific building permit application requirements and supplementary documents and forms for:
Residential application requirements |
Industrial, commercial and institutional application requirements |
Project-specific application requirements |
Supplementary documents and forms |
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Fees
View our Building Permit Fee Schedule for more information on building permit fees.
Check the status of a permit
Learn how to check the status of your permit with the City.
Applying for a Building Permit FAQs
View our frequently asked questions (FAQs) to learn more about applying for a building permit.
| Do I need a building permit? |
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If you are not sure if you need a building permit for your project, contact us at 905-335-7731. Some examples of projects that require a permit include:
Some examples of projects that do not require a permit include:
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| What are the consequences of not getting a building permit? |
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| Can I do my own drawings? |
| Yes. As the owner of the property, the Ontario Building Code provides an exemption for you to create your own drawings. However, if the drawings are below standard or missing information, you will need to re-submit them or hire a designer who carries the proper qualifications. |
| I am moving to a new house and wish to do construction work on it. Can I apply for my building permit before I take ownership? |
| No. You must be the owner of a house prior to applying for a building permit in Burlington. If you have bought a house that is in mid-project from the previous owner, you must apply for a transfer of permit. |
| How long is my permit good for? |
| Your permit is good for six months. If work has not started after six months, your permit may be revoked. |
| Do I need a permit for my landscaping work? |
| Most types of landscaping do not need permits, such as hedges, patio stones, etc. Items such as retaining walls, decks and gazebos over 10 square metres (or 108 square feet) may require a permit. Contact us at 905-335-7731 if you are not sure. |
| Do I need a permit for my electrical work? |
| Contact the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) for an answer. They are responsible for electrical work permits and inspections across Ontario. |