Whether you're planning to renovate the interior, finish your basement, undertake exterior improvements, or construct an addition, we have the information you need.
If at any time you have a question or are unsure whether a building permit is required, please call the Building Department at 905-335-7731 or email buildingpermits@burlington.ca.
Interior Renovations
If you are planning to renovate the interior of your house, you may need to get a permit before starting any construction.
When submitting a building permit application for interior renovations, you will need:
- An approved zoning clearance certificate issued by the Community Planning Department
- A completed building permit application
- Designer schedules to show all designer qualifications, as per the OBC
- Construction drawings (existing & proposed including:
- Floor plans for each storey – fully dimensioned with room types and sizes, framing details, window & doors sizes, ductwork layout, new & existing plumbing, location of smoke alarms, etc.
- Cross-sectional details showing construction details of the walls, roof and floors
- HVAC design & layout including heat loss/ gain calculations
- A separate septic permit may be required for properties with existing septic systems.
- BMEC Authorizations or Minister’s Rulings with CCMC Evaluation Listings for innovative materials or systems.
- Permit fees – refer to the current Building Permit Bylaw for the permit fee schedule
Basement Renovations
If you are planning to finish your basement, you must get a permit prior to starting any construction.
When submitting a building permit application to finish a basement you will need the following:
- An approved zoning clearance certificate issued by the Community Planning Department
- A completed building permit application
- Designer schedules to show all designer qualifications, as per the OBC
- Construction drawings including:
- Floor plans - fully dimensioned including the room types/names, window & door sizes, location of smoke alarms, ductwork layout, plumbing (new & existing)
- If a new bathroom is added, a separate septic system permit may be needed for properties with an existing septic system
- BMEC Authorizations or Minister’s Rulings with CCMC Evaluation Listings for innovative materials or systems.
- Permit fees – View our Building Permit Fee Schedule for more information on building permit fees.
Exterior Renovations
Exterior renovations including window or cladding replacements, roofing projects, landscaping and/or esthetic improvements/upgrades may require building permits or other municipal approvals. For a list of projects that do not require building permits click here [link to list].
Additions
If you are planning to construct an addition onto your house, you must get a building permit before starting any construction.
When submitting a building permit application for an addition you will need the following:
- Pre-Building Approval issued by the Community Planning Department
- A completed building permit application
- Designer schedules to show all designer qualifications, as per the OBC
- Energy efficiency design summary – prescriptive or performance method
- Construction drawings including:
- A site plan - fully dimensioned showing lot lines, existing and proposed structures/additions, setback distances, location of water and sewer services (where proposed).
- Floor plan(s) for each storey – fully dimensioned including room names/types, framing elements and other structural elements
- Exterior elevation(s) for all building sides, including window and door openings & sizes, building height, level of finished grade, proposed exterior finishes and limiting distance calculations
- Cross-sectional details showing footing/foundation construction, wall/floor construction, roof construction
- HVAC design including duct layout, heat loss/gain calculations
- Roof truss details stamped by a professional engineer (if applicable).
- Engineered floor joist plans/details (if applicable)
- A separate septic system permit may be needed for properties with an existing septic system.
- BMEC Authorizations or Minister’s Rulings with CCMC Evaluation Listings for innovative materials or systems.
- Permit fees – View our Building Permit Fee Schedule for more information on building permit fees.
Renovations and Additions Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What other approvals are necessary before I can get a building permit? |
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Before you can get a building permit, you may need a pre-building approval application, which is the city’s written confirmation of the current zoning, forestry and site grading/drainage regulations for a property. For questions about the pre-building approval process, call the city’s Community Planning Department at 905-335-7642. Other regulatory approvals may be necessary if your property lies within Conservation Halton or Niagara Escarpment Commission boundaries. It is your responsibility as the property owner to contact those applicable agencies to determine their requirements when developing on your property.
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What do I need when submitting a building permit application? |
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Do I need a qualified designer for my drawings? |
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A homeowner can design a building/structure for their property without being qualified under the Ontario Building Code Act. The owner must prepare plans and specifications with enough detail to demonstrate the project complies with the code. If any person other than the owner prepares plans and takes responsibility for the design of a building, they must have the required technical qualifications under the Ontario Building Code. A declaration of designer form, "Schedule 1" available through the Building Department, must be completed by the designer of the drawings. |
How much will my permit cost? |
| There is a minimum fee payable when you apply for a building permit. The fee includes plan review and site inspection services. View our Building Permit Fee Schedule for more information on building permit fees. Please refer to 'Schedule A' of the city's Building Permit By-law for all fees. |
How long will it take to get a permit? |
| Once you submit your building permit application, a plan review will be conducted within 10 business days. At that time, your permit will either be issued or an application status report will be sent with items that need to be addressed before the city can issue a permit. |
How do I submit my application for a building permit? |
| The city only accepts permit applications through electronic submission. You can email your application, drawings and documents to buildingpermits@burlington.ca. All submissions must meet the city's electronic application submission standards. The submission standards can be accessed by visiting our Applying for a Building Permit webpage or by contacting the Building Department. |
Do I need to call for inspections? |
| Yes, once your permit is issued, you will receive a checklist indicating which inspections are needed. You must contact the building inspector directly to book all required inspections. Building inspector contact information will be provided on your issued permit card. |