The City of Burlington's building permits protect the interests of permit-holders and the community. They make sure building activity is safe, follows applicable legislation, laws and bylaws, and abides by zoning regulations. By reviewing and approving building plans before any work is done, we can make sure buildings comply with:
- The Ontario Building Code
- Our Zoning Bylaw
- Our Grading and Drainage Bylaw
- Other applicable laws, including conservation authority approvals and certain requirements under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act
We issue building permits for:
- The construction, renovation, demolition and certain changes of use of buildings
- The installation, alteration, extension or repair of on-site sewage systems
View our Building Permit Bylaw (By-law 066-2019), amended by By-law 006-2023 and By-law 003-2021
Apply for a building permit
Discover how to apply for a building permit and learn about:
- Projects that do and do not need building permits
- Re-submissions to an existing building permit application
- Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Building permit process
View each step of the building permit process, which ensures high standards of design, efficiency of land use and servicing efficiency. Each step must be completed before proceeding on to the next one.
Check the status of your building permit
Check the status of your building permit by contacting us or by viewing our interactive building permit map, which displays active and inactive permits dating back five years.
Building Permit FAQ
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Can I do my own drawings? |
| Yes. As the owner of the property, the Building Code under Div. C - 3.2.4 provides an exemption for you to create your own drawings. However, if the drawings are below standard or missing information, you will be asked to complete them or hire a designer who carries the qualifications as required by Bill 124. |
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I am moving to a new house and wish to do construction work to it. Can I apply for my building permit before taking ownership? |
| In the City of Burlington, you must be the owner of the house prior to applying for a building permit. 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 building permit good for? |
| If construction has not begun after six months, your permit may be revoked as per section 8 of the Building Code Act. |
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Do I need a building permit for my landscaping project? |
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Most types of landscaping, such as hedges and patio stones, do not need a building permit. More permanent items, such as retaining walls, decks, and gazebos over 10 m² (108 ft²) may require a building permit. You can talk to a permit technologist at 905-335-7731 to see if you need a building permit for your landscaping project. Where landscaping projects affect private or public trees, you might need a tree permit. For more information, please contact Service Burlington at 905-335-7777 or city@burlington.ca. |
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Do I need a permit for doing electrical work? |
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Electrical work is governed by the Ontario Electrical Safety Code through the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA); therefore, the City of Burlington does not issue permits nor inspect electrical work. It is the property owner’s responsibility to ensure an electrical notification (permit) and electrical inspection is obtained as required by the ESA. Additional information on ESA requirements can be found here. |