Skip to Content

City of Burlington Logo City of Burlington Logo

Text Size

Regular Large X-Large

Colour Contrast

Regular High

Accessible formats and communication supports are available.

View our Accessibility page

  • Careers
  • Public Engagement
  • Service Burlington
City of Burlington Logo
  • Recreation
    • Accessible Recreation
      • Accessible Recreation Programs
    • Adult 19 and 55 Programs
      • Adult Programs
    • Children’s Programs
      • Explore Children's Programs (Youth 0-18)
    • Drop-in Programs
    • Family Programs
    • Music
      • Burlington Teen Tour Band
      • Music Programs
    • Outdoor Play
      • Outdoor Programs
    • Passes and Memberships
      • Active5 Pass
    • Pickleball
    • Registering for a Program
      • Code of Conduct
      • Explore all Programs
      • High Five Accreditation
      • Recreation Fee Assistance
    • Skating
      • Explore Skating
    • Student Theatre Programs
    • Summer Camps and School Break Programs
      • School Break Programs
      • Summer Camps
        • Summer Camp Information for Parents
        • Summer Camp Programs
    • Swimming and Aquatic Programs
      • Aquatic Fitness
      • Aquatic Leadership Courses
      • Lap Swim
      • Swimming Lessons
    • Volunteering Opportunities
  • Applications, Licences and Permits
    • Building Permits
    • Burn Permits
    • Business Licences
    • Claims
    • Development Applications
    • Dog Licences
    • Freedom of Information
    • Festival and Event Applications
    • Liquor Licences
    • Lottery Licences
    • Marriages
      • Marriage Certificates
      • Marriage Licences
    • Parking
    • Pool Permits
    • Rent a Facility or Park
    • Road and Transportation Permits
    • Sign Permits
    • Speak at a Meeting
    • Specialized Transit
    • Temporary Outdoor Patios
    • Tournament Applications
  • Arts, Culture and Events
    • Art
    • Arts and Culture Fund
    • Arts and Culture in Burlington
    • Calendar of Events
    • Cultural Map
    • Downtown Burlington
      • Downtown Waterfront
    • Festivals and Events
      • Canada Day
      • Concerts in the Park
      • Culture Days
      • Festival and Event Applications
      • Food for Feedback
      • Movies Under the Stars
      • Remembrance Day
      • Santa Claus Parade
      • Vendor Opportunities
    • History and Heritage
      • Doors Open Burlington
      • Heritage Conservation Planning
    • Libraries
    • Local Farms, Community Gardens and Markets
    • Music
    • Story Maps
    • Theatres
    • Twin Cities Apeldoorn and Itabashi
    • Visiting Burlington
  • Building and Renovating
    • Basement Flooding
    • Booking an Inspection
    • Building Permits
      • Applying for a Building Permit
      • Building Permit Process
      • Check the Status of a Permit
      • Demolitions
    • Building Records, Statistics and Reports
    • Call Before You Dig
    • Design Standards
      • Accessibility Design Standards
      • Engineering Standard Drawings
      • Standard Specifications
    • Development Charges
    • Driveways and Curbs
    • Fences
    • Home Construction and Renovation
    • Pool Permits
    • Property Standards
    • Sign Permits
    • Zoning
  • Business in Burlington
    • Advertising and Sponsorship
    • Bid Opportunities
    • Economic Development
    • Business Licences
      • Adult Entertainment Licences
      • Group Homes
      • Public Vehicle Licences
    • Filming in Burlington
    • Halton Region Small Business Centre
    • Red Tape Red Carpet Task Force
    • Sign Permits
    • Starting a Business
    • TechPlace
    • Temporary Outdoor Patios
    • Zoning
  • By-laws and Animal Services
    • By-laws
      • Animal Control By-law
      • By-law Enforcement
      • Frequently Requested By-laws
      • Search By-laws
    • Dog Licences
    • Donations
    • Educational Programs
    • Leash-Free Dog Parks
    • Lost Pets
    • Pet Adoption
    • Rabies
    • Report an Issue
    • Wildlife
      • Coyotes
  • Community Supports
    • Accessibility
      • Accessibility Design Standards
      • Accessibility Legislation in Ontario
      • Accessible Parking Permits
      • Accessible Recreation
      • Corporate Accessibility Policy
      • Service Animals
    • Community Funding and Grant Programs
    • Community Gardens
    • Community Hub
    • Community Partners
    • Lending Library
    • Love My Neighbourhood
    • Neighbourhood Community Matching Fund
    • Neighbourhood Connectors
    • Neighbourhood Rinks
    • New to the Community
    • Recreation Fee Assistance
    • Volunteering Opportunities
  • Council and City Administration
    • Accountability and Transparency
      • Audit Committee
      • Closed Meeting Investigations
      • Conflicts of Interest Registry
      • Council Remuneration and Expenses
      • Freedom of Information
      • Integrity Commissioner
      • Lobbyist Registry
      • Office of the Ombudsman
    • Agendas and Minutes
    • Bid Opportunities
    • Budget and Finances
      • Approved Budget Book
      • Financial Statements
      • Property Taxes
      • Proposed Budget
      • Public Sector Salary Disclosure
    • By-laws
    • Careers
    • City Administration
      • Accounts Payable
      • City Manager
      • Corporate Policies
      • Departments
      • Job Descriptions
    • Claims
    • Commissioner of Oaths and Declarations
    • Committees and Boards
      • Accessibility Advisory Committee
      • Agricultural and Rural Affairs Advisory Committee
      • Apply to a Board or Committee
      • Council and Committee Meetings
      • Council Remuneration Review Working Group
      • Cycling Advisory Committee
      • Downtown Parking Advisory Committee
      • Greater Bay Area Sub-Committee
      • Heritage Burlington Advisory Committee
      • Inclusivity Advisory Committee
      • Integrated Transportation Advisory Committee
      • Joint Compliance Audit Committee
      • Mayor's Millennial Advisory Committee
      • Mundialization Committee
      • Seniors' Advisory Committee
      • Speak at a Meeting
      • Standing Committees of Council
      • Sustainable Development Advisory Committee
    • Contact Us
    • Council
      • Communicating with City Council
      • Council and Committee Meetings
      • Council Information Packages
      • Council Members and Wards
        • Mayor Marianne Meed Ward
          • Make a Request
            • Ask the Mayor
            • Congratulatory Letters and Certificates
            • Flag Raisings
            • Invite the Mayor
            • Request a Meeting with the Mayor
            • Request a Proclamation
          • Mayor's News, Meetings and Events
          • Key to the City
        • Ward 1 - Councillor Kelvin Galbraith
          • Ward 1 News, Meetings and Events
        • Ward 2 - Councillor Lisa Kearns
          • Ward 2 News, Meetings and Events
        • Ward 3 - Councillor Rory Nisan
          • Ward 3 News, Meetings and Events
        • Ward 4 - Councillor Shawna Stolte
          • Ward 4 News, Meetings and Events
        • Ward 5 - Councillor Paul Sharman
          • Ward 5 News, Meetings and Events
        • Ward 6 - Councillor Angelo Bentivegna
          • Ward 6 News, Meetings and Events
      • Speak at a Meeting
      • Standing Committees of Council
        • Audit Committee
        • Community Planning, Regulation and Mobility Committee
        • Corporate Services, Strategy, Risk and Accountability Committee
        • Council Workshop Committee
        • Environment, Infrastructure and Community Services Committee
    • Elections
    • Initiative Projects
      • Burlington One Brand Project
      • Park Dedication Bylaw
      • Parks Provisioning Master Plan (PPMP)
      • Red Tape Red Carpet Task Force
        • Red Tape Red Carpet Progress Reporting
      • Rural Internet Installation
    • Open Data
    • Plans, Reports and Studies
      • 2018-2022 Burlington’s Plan: From Vision to Focus
      • Active Aging Plan
      • Asset Management Plan
      • Audit and Accountability Fund - Web Architecture Review Report
      • Climate Action Plan
      • Climate Resilient Burlington Plan
      • Framework for Recreation
      • Integrated Mobility Plan
      • Land Management Database Platform Review
      • Legal Cannabis and the City of Burlington
      • Lowville Park Master Plan
      • Multi-Year Accessibility Plan
      • Service Delivery Plans
      • Strategic Plan
      • Transit Business Plan
      • Waterfront Hotel Planning Study
      • Young Tree Pilot Study
    • Public Engagement
    • Volunteering Opportunities
    • Service Burlington
  • Halton Court Services
    • About Us
      • Common Legal Terms
      • FAQs
    • Court News and Notices
    • For Defendants
      • File an Appeal
    • For Enforcement Agencies
  • Home, Property and Environment
    • Building and Renovating
    • Construction in Your Neighbourhood
    • Environment
      • Climate Change and Air Quality
      • Electric Vehicles
      • Environmental Assessment Projects
      • Energy Initiatives
        • Energy and Buildings
        • Energy and City Operations
      • Environmental Programs
      • Idling
      • Local Food
      • Stormwater Management Projects
      • Water and Stormwater
      • Yellow Fish Road Program
    • Forestry
      • Burlington Honour Roll of Trees
      • City Trees and You
      • Forest Protection and Tree Permits
        • Tree Permit Application
      • Tree Pests and Diseases
      • Tree Planting and Care
      • Tree Stump Removal
    • Garbage, Recycling and Leaf Collection
      • Halton Waste Management Site
      • Household Hazardous Waste
      • Leaf Collection
      • Litter and Clean ups
      • Yard Waste
    • Maps
    • Open Air Burning - Campfires, Chimineas, Fire Pits
    • Property Information Request
    • Property Taxes
    • Utilities
      • Rural Internet Installation
  • Parks, Facilities and Rentals
    • Advertising and Sponsorship
      • Adopt-A-Flowerbed
      • Arena Advertising
      • Display Cases
      • Donations in Honour and Memory
      • Flyer Slots
      • Read-o-Graph Signs
      • Wall, Window and Floor Advertising
    • Amphitheatres
    • Arenas and Ice Centres
    • Banquet Centres
    • Cemeteries
    • Community Centres
    • Facility Construction Projects
    • Facility, Sports Field and Pool Closures
    • Gyms
    • Leash-Free Dog Parks
    • Libraries
    • Marina
    • Parks and Facilities Directory
    • Park Renewal Projects
    • Picnics
    • Pools, Splash Pads and Spray Parks
    • Rent a Facility or Park
      • Explore Facility and Park Rentals
    • Rooms and Auditoriums
    • Sports Fields
    • Trails and Bikeways
  • Planning and Development
    • City-wide Parking Standards
    • Community Benefits Charge
    • Current Development Projects
      • Ward 1
      • Ward 2
      • Ward 3
      • Ward 4
      • Ward 5
      • Ward 6
    • Development Applications
      • Burlington Planning Process
      • Committee of Adjustment
        • Applications for Consent
        • Minor Variances
      • Demolitions
      • Grading and Drainage Clearance Certificate
      • Official Plan Amendments
      • Part Lot Control
      • Required Background Studies
      • Site Alteration Permits
      • Site Plans
      • Subdivisions
      • Zoning
    • Development Charges
    • Heritage Conservation Planning
      • Municipal Cultural Heritage Register
      • Supporting Burlington's Heritage
    • Official Plan
    • Property Information Request
    • Urban Design
    • Zoning
      • Zoning By-Law Amendments
        • Search Zoning By-Law Amendments
      • Zoning Clearance Certificates
  • Property Taxes
    • Paying Property Taxes
      • How Your Taxes are Used
      • Pre-Authorized Tax Payment Plans
    • Property Assessments
      • Assessment Appeals
    • Rebates and Deferrals
      • Heritage Property Tax Rebate
      • Low-Income Seniors Property Tax Rebate
      • Older Adults Property Tax Deferral Program
      • Registered Charity Rebates
    • Tax Adjustments Applications
    • Tax Certificates
    • Update Your Address or Property Ownership
  • Fire and Emergency Services
    • Ambulance and Paramedic Services
    • Coronavirus (COVID-19)
    • Emergency Notifications
    • Emergency Plan and Preparedness
    • Fire Department
      • Fire and Public Safety Education
        • Apartment Fire Safety
        • Babysitting Safety
        • Barbecue Safety
        • Barn Fire Prevention
        • Carbon Monoxide
        • Cooking Fire Safety
        • Family Fire Escape Plan
        • Fire and Life Safety for People with a Disability
        • Fire Extinguishers
        • Fire Prevention Week
        • Fireworks
        • Open Air Burning - Campfires, Chimineas, Fire Pits
        • Smoke Alarms
      • Fire Department - About Us
      • Fire Station Locations
      • Fire Programs and Services
        • Alarm Assistance Program
        • Burn Permits
        • Fire Inspections and Enforcement
      • Working with the Fire Department
    • Health and Safety Notices
    • Police Service
    • Stormwater Safety
  • Roads, Parking and Traffic
    • Cycling
    • Driveways and Curbs
    • Electric Vehicles
    • Leaf Collection
    • Parking
      • Accessible Parking Permits
      • Paid Parking and Reservations
      • Parking Exemptions
      • Parking in Downtown Burlington
      • Parking Permits
      • Paying a Parking Ticket
      • Winter Parking
    • Report an Issue
    • Road and Sidewalk Maintenance
    • Road and Transportation Construction Projects
    • Road Closures and Restrictions
    • Road and Transportation Permits
    • Snow Removal
      • Snow Control Updates
      • Snow Removal Plan
      • Windrow Clearing for Persons with Disabilities
      • Winter Parking
    • Traffic Safety
      • Pedestrian Crossovers and Crossing Guards
      • Speeding and Aggressive Driving
    • Transit
  • Transit
    • About Us
      • Advertising
      • Contact Us
    • Fares and Passes
      • Adults 65 Ride for Free
      • Connections and Transfers
      • Fares
      • Low Income Pass
      • PRESTO Cards
        • PRESTO Contactless
      • Single-Ride Vouchers
      • Students Passes
    • Riding With Us
      • Accessibility
      • Bike Racks
      • Lost and Found
      • Specialized Transit
    • Schedules and Routes
      • Connections and Transfers
      • Plan a Trip
      • Real-Time Bus Arrival Times
      • Schedules and Maps
      • Transit Updates and Changes
    • MyRide
  • News and Notices
    • All News and Notices
    • Calendar of Events
    • City Meeting Calendar
    • City Talk
    • Extreme Weather Alerts
    • Facility, Sports Field and Pool Closures
    • Halton Court Services news
    • Health and Safety Notices
    • Media Releases
      • Media Contacts
    • Public Notices
    • Road Closures and Restrictions
    • Service Disruptions
    • Snow Control Updates
    • Transit Updates and Changes
    • Subscribe

By-laws and Animal Services

HomeBy-laws and Animal ServicesBy-lawsAnimal Control By-law
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Email

Animal Control By-law

The City of Burlington's Animal Control Bylaw regulates pet licencing and microchipping, animal safety and common pet issues.

Animal attacks

All bites or scratches from an animal that cause a break in skin must, by law, be reported immediately to Halton Region Public Health. If you have been bitten or scratched by an animal, especially if rabies is suspected, contact your doctor or your local health department immediately.

If your dog or cat is injured from a fight and you think it may have been bitten or scratched by a rabid animal:

  • Do not handle your pet. There may be fresh saliva from a rabid animal on its coat that may carry the rabies virus
  • Isolate your pet
  • Call your veterinarian and Animal Services at 905-335-3030 right away

Animals in facilities

You cannot bring animals into municipal buildings with signs prohibiting animals, with the exception of:

  • Aid dogs
  • Animals for which you have received an exemption permit

Animals in parked cars

To report an unattended pet in distress call Halton Region Police Service at 905-825-4777 or Burlington Animal Services at 905-335-3030.

During the warm weather months, temperatures in parked cars can turn deadly in a matter of minutes. Please do not leave pets alone in the car, even if you parked the car in the shade or cracked the windows.

If you leave your pet unattended in a hot vehicle, you may face charges under the PAWS Act or the Criminal Code of Canada.

Learn more about hot weather pet safety.

Backyard Chickens

The City of Burlington does not allow keeping any kind of birds (Galliformes) on your property unless you live in the rural part of Burlington. Your property must be zoned as rural or agricultural to keep land fowl such as pheasants, grouse, guinea fowls, turkeys, chickens and peafowls.

If you live south of Highway 407, you cannot keep land fowl in your yard. If you live north of this area, check your address using our zoning map.

Cat microchipping

Microchips are permanent forms of identification that help lost cats get home quickly. If you own a cat in Burlington, you must have your cat properly identified by microchip implantation. Contact your local veterinarian for more information on how to have this done.

Dog licensing

All dogs in Burlington must be licensed. Dog licensing also makes it much easier for us to help reunite you with your dog if they go missing. You can apply for or renew your dog licence.

Dogs on the beach

With the exception of aid dogs, you cannot bring dogs to any City-owned or operated beaches. This keeps our beaches clean and safe for both residents and visitors using them.

Leash laws

No animals, including cats, are allowed to run at large in Burlington. If your pet is off your property, it must be on a leash and led by a competent person. This helps keep your pet and other people safe.

Lost pets

We will shelter any stray or lost animals found in the city. We place suitable animals up for adoption if they are not claimed by their owners.

It is important to license your dog and microchip your cat so that we can more easily reunite you with them if they become lost.

Pit bulls and Dog Owners Liability Act

Ontario Legislation requires you to have a muzzle on your pit bull and a limited leash length of one point eight meters if they aren't in an enclosed area on private property. Review the Ontario pit bull legislation to learn more about the restrictions and regulations of pit bull ownership.

The Ontario Dog Owners Liability Act states that dog owners are responsible for any damages resulting from their dog biting or attacking someone. You can learn more about owner liability and potential consequences of dog attacks in the Liability Act.

Stoop and scoop

Please pick up after your dog. Dog feces contaminate beaches and other public spaces. They pose health hazards to children playing nearby and to other people and animals. Diseases and parasites can be transmitted by direct contact with dog feces. We can work together to keep our public spaces safe and clean by following these guidelines:

  • When you are out with your dog, carry a plastic bag
  • Pick up the droppings left by your dog using the bag
  • Place the bag in the nearest litter container and wash your hands as soon as possible
By-laws and Animal Services
    • By-laws
      • Animal Control By-law
      • By-law Enforcement
      • Frequently Requested By-laws
      • Search By-laws
    • Dog Licences
    • Donations
    • Educational Programs
    • Leash-Free Dog Parks
    • Lost Pets
    • Pet Adoption
    • Rabies
    • Report an Issue
    • Wildlife
      • Coyotes

Contact Us

Subscribe To Page Updates

City of Burlington footer logo

426 Brant Street, PO Box 5013,
Burlington, Ontario L7R 3Z6

Email: city@burlington.ca
Phone: 905-335-7777

Follow Us

  • View View our Facebook Page
  • View View our Twitter Page
  • View View our Instagram Page
  • View View our YouTube Page
  • View View our LinkedIn Page
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Sitemap
  • Website Feedback
  • Contact Us
  • Social Media Commenting Guidelines
  • Land Acknowledgement
Copyright © 2022 Burlington By GHD Digital

Connect with Burlington

Stay up to date on Burlington activities, events, programs and operations by subscribing to our many eNewsletters.

Sign Up Now