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Building and Renovating

HomeBuilding and RenovatingBuilding PermitsBuilding Permit Process
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Building Permit Process

These steps make sure you will be in compliance with our Official Plan, Zoning Bylaw, Grading and Drainage Bylaw, Urban Design Guidelines and other standards. They also ensure standards of the best land use and servicing such as utilities

Building Permit Process

View these steps to learn about the City's building permit process. You must complete each step before moving on to the next one.

Site plan application and approval

Apply for and get your site plan application and approval. There are three types of site plan applications:
  • Full Application - major project
  • Minor Modification - minor or straightforward proposal to make changes to a previously approved site plan application
  • Minor Development - minor or straightforward proposal with no previous approval of a site plan application on file

Zoning clearance certificate

If applicable, apply for and get your zoning clearance certificate. To see if you need this certificate, contact us at 905-335-7642. All certificates expire one year from their date of issue.

Grading and drainage clearance certificate

If applicable, apply for and get your grading and drainage certificate. This certificate is needed for building lots that are for residential lots with ten or fewer dwelling units. To see if you need this certificate, contact us at 905-335-7642.

Permit Requirements

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.
  • Accessory detached 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: 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.

Apply for your building permit

 Follow the steps to apply for and receive your building permit.

Building inspections

Arrange for any building inspections for your permit.
Building and Renovating
    • Additional Residential Units
      • Garage Conversion Toolkit
      • Additional Residential Unit Incentive Program
        • Steps to Build an Additional Residential Unit (ARU)
    • Booking an Inspection
    • Building Permits
      • Applying for a Building Permit
      • Building Permit Process
      • Check the Status of a Building Permit
      • Demolition Permits
    • Building Records, Statistics and Reports
    • Call Before You Dig
    • Decks, Porches and Patios
    • Design Standards
      • Accessibility Design Standards
      • Building Technical Standards
      • Engineering Standard Drawings
      • Standard Specifications
    • Development Charges
    • Driveways and Curbs
    • Fences
    • Home Construction and Renovation
    • Home Flood Prevention
    • Pool Permits
    • Pre-Building Approval Application
    • Property Standards
    • Renovations and Additions
    • Sheds and Accessory Structures
    • Sign Permits
    • Zoning

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