Building Permits

• 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.