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We understand your building project is important to you and we are here to help. If you are not sure if your project needs a building permit, please contact us at 905-335-7731 or buildingpermits@burlington.ca for more information.
Please remember that compliance with municipal bylaws is a must when planning to develop on your property. Contact us at 905-335-7642 or planning@burlington.ca to ask about pre-building permit approvals needed for your property.
Below is a list of some projects that DO NOT require building permits. If you don’t see your project on this list, you probably need a building permit. Keep in mind, even if your project does not need a permit, your design and construction still must meet the Ontario Building Code.
| List of projects that do not need a permit |
- A building and/or structure less than 10 m2 (108 ft2) with no plumbing (regardless of height).
- Fences.
Fences enclosing swimming pools, swim spas, hot tubs may require a pool enclosure permit.
- Painting, decorating, millwork and replacing plumbing fixtures of the same type and in the same location.
- Patios (on grade) that are not covered or have a roof.
- Landscaping.
Where landscaping projects affect private or public trees, you might need a tree permit. Contact Service Burlington at 905-335-7777 or city@burlington.ca to find out.
- Replacing doors or windows in an existing opening in a house, or in an accessory building serving the house.
- Replacing shingles with the same material as long as the roof has less than three layers of shingles.
- Replacing exterior wall cladding, such as siding, with the same material and if there is no increase in thickness.
- Attached or separate decks that are:
- less than 10 m2 (108 ft2),
- less than 60 cm (24 5/8inches) high from grade measured from the top of the adjacent walking surface,
- that are not covered or have a roof, and
- for a house.
- Accessory detached pergolas for a house.
- Replacement heating and cooling equipment for a house (replacement meaning like for like and the same), such as:
- Air conditioning unit(s)
- Furnace(s)
- Heat pump(s)
- Solid fuel-burning appliance(s), etc.
- Accessory detached buildings/structures for a house including sheds, gazebos, garages, carports, greenhouse/solariums, cabanas, shipping containers and other similar-type structures no higher than one storey high and less than 15 m2 (161 ft2) in gross area. It cannot have plumbing.
- A class 1 sewage system with a chemical, incinerating, recirculating or self-contained portable toilet, all forms of outhouse or composting toilet system.
- A tent, or group of tents
- 60 m2 and under in total ground area,
- not attached to a building, and
- located more than three m from other structures.
- Accessory detached outdoor fireplace.
Open-air burning regulations may still apply, for any questions contact the Burlington Fire Department at 905-637-8207 or firedepartment@burlington.ca.
- Electrical work.
The City does not issue electrical permits, but you must contact the Electrical Safety Authority at 1-877-372-7233 for related electrical permits.
- A retaining wall equal to or less than 1 m (3.3 ft) high.
- A pedestrian bridge that does not provide a means of exit or egress from a building on a property.
- An outside storage tank and its supporting structure regulated by the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000 (TSSA).
- Signs that are not supported by a building and/or do not require structural support. Sign permits are required to put any kind of sign on a public property.
- Solar collectors not mounted to buildings with a face area less than five m2 (54 ft2).
- A structure that supports a wind turbine generator having a rated output of less than 3kW.
- A dish antenna that is not mounted to a building with a face area less than five m2 (54 ft2).
- A permanent solid nutrient storage facility with supporting walls equal to or less than 1 m (3.3 ft) high.
Glossary
- House: As defined in the Ontario Building Code means a detached house, semi-detached house or row house containing not more than two dwelling units.
- Pergola: A structure that provides partial shelter and shade through a slatted or partial roof covering.
- Accessory: Accessory buildings are detached from other buildings/structures but on the same lot or property. They are auxiliary buildings used with the main house on the property.
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