The Love My Neighbourhood (LMN) program is designed to help you form connections, strengthen relationships, and build support systems for your community.
The is a one-time per year grant of up to $500 per neighbour, resident or street section, condominium, or apartment group in Burlington. It can be used to host a neighbourhood gathering or weekly activity.
Join us in celebrating Burlington's 150th anniversary by bringing the community together. Let's make history by organizing 150 neighbourhood gatherings across the city, creating memories that will last a lifetime. Come out and connect with your neighbours, share stories and celebrate Burlington's rich heritage. Together, let's honour the past and embrace the future!
How to apply |
Learn how to apply for the Love My Neighbourhood grant |
Read the criteria and guidelines |
Read the Criteria and Guidelines to find out if your LMN is eligible. |
Read the Love My Neighbourhood frequently asked questions |
Review the Frequently Asked Questions to find out more information about the LMN process. |
Make note of the required timelines |
LMN applications need to be submitted a minimum of six weeks in advance to allow for processes and approvals. Please note that applications submitted for events on long weekends or public holidays such as Victoria Day or Canada Day are subject to availability. We ask that you apply a minimum of eight weeks in advance should you wish to host your event on those days. |
Gather all your necessary documents |
If you are requesting a road closure, download the Road Closure Neighbourhood Consent Document. Make sure to upload with your application. |
Develop a budget |
Create a budget using the Love My Neighbourhood Budget Template Document
to demonstrate how the funds will be spent. You will be required to submit this completed form with your application. |
Review and apply for the appropriate approvals |
Some activities may require additional approvals. Review the following Activities and Approvals Processes before submitting your application. |
Review and apply for the appropriate approvals |
Complete the online Love My Neighbourhood Application Form |
Who can apply? |
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What will the grant funding cover? |
Below is a list of approved use for funding:
Funding may not be approved for:
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Event Insurance |
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Understanding Road Closure Details |
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Environmental considerations |
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Other Things to Consider |
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Alcohol |
All event organizers must abide by the City of Burlington Municipal Alcohol Policy and Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario guidelines. |
Budget |
A budget must be submitted with your application. Use the Love My Neighbourhood Budget Template Document to accurately reflect how you anticipate you will spend the funds. Please have your completed budget template ready to submit with your application. |
Bylaw |
Department of City Building – Planning, Building & Culture regulations regarding tents, stages and structures must be followed, as per the regulations. All tents and canopies must be secured by being weighted down with weights or sand bags and cannot be staked into the ground if on public property. |
Damages |
The event organizer is responsible for the cost of any damages including but not limited to the barricades, turf, park, facility, fixtures, etc. Damages incurred on city’s property will be deducted from the grant money. |
Fires and open flames |
The Burlington Fire Department regulations regarding tent or canopy use and cooking must be followed, as per the Fire Prevention Office. Requirements for paid after-hours fire inspections at your event may apply and will be adhered to ensuring the safety of all event participants and residents. |
Fireworks |
Family fireworks are allowed on Canada Day and Victoria Day only between dusk and 11 p.m. Fireworks must follow the guidelines laid out by the City of Burlington Fire Department. |
Food trucks and ice cream trucks |
Food Trucks and Ice Cream Trucks are required to have City of Burlington business licences. All vehicles are required to follow parking and street bylaws. |
Greening your event - recycling and waste |
Greening your event plan to make your event a “green event” by using the 4R principles
Sorting waste
Utensils and cutlery
Recommended to use:
Do not use:
Decorations
Plastic water bottles
Food vendors and food services
Eco-conscious promotional materialsIf you are printing promotional materials use recycled paper and environmentally friendly ink. Also consider moving your event information to digital platforms and sources. Other resources |
Inflatables |
The funding from this grant no longer covers the cost of an inflatable. If you would like to have an inflatable at your event, we advise that you put it on private property. If you would like to put the inflatable on City property, you are required to get and submit proof of the inflatable company’s $5 million commercial general liability insurance as well as the inflatable company’s TSSA documents. You are also required to list the Corporation of the City of Burlington, 426 Brant St., Burlington, ON L7R 3Z6 as an additional insured. You will also be required to purchase insurance to ensure coverage for the other activities beyond the inflatable that are also taking place on City of Burlington property. You are able to purchase $2 million liability insurance through the City of Burlington |
Insurance |
A certificate of insurance for a minimum general liability of $2 million must be submitted minimum 15 days prior to the event. For higher risk activities such as bouncy castles or inflatables, external insurance of $5 million liability is required. This certificate must also list the Corporation of the City of Burlington, 426 Brant St., Burlington, Ontario L7R 3Z6 as an additional insured. Learn about activities that may require insurance and where to obtain them.
If you require $5 million insurance, you are welcome to contact the companies below or utilize your own insurance contacts. The Love My Neighbourhood grant will reimburse you for the cost of your external insurance when you submit your receipts.
Gallagher www.ajgcanada.com Phone: 905-538-2102
PAL Insurance www.palcanada.com Phone: 519-428-7716 Toll Free: 1-800-265-8098
Exhibitor Insurance www.exhibitorinsurance.com info@exhibitorinsurance.com Phone: 905-695-2971 Toll Free: 1-866-836-9066 |
Live animals |
Contact with the Halton Region Health Department will be made in advance of the event to ensure that approval from the Region is provided for any animal exhibits. Animal exhibit requirements and approvals will be processed through the Halton Regional Health Department. Applicant must request that proper documentation is completed and submitted to the Halton Region by Animal Handler/Company. |
Parking |
Ensure that all parking areas in regular parking lots and laneways are kept accessible to emergency vehicles. Regular rules will apply to signed, no parking and designated fire routes. No vehicles are to be parked in a city park on the grass. |
Road closures |
You will need to decide wish to host an event on the road. If so, a road closure is required. All road closure requests must be submitted with a completed Road Closure Neighbourhood Consent Document. Signed documentation of 70 per cent plus one of neighbour approval in the closed area is required. Please have the Neighbourhood Consent document completed and be ready to submit it with your application. |
Smoking bylaw and Smoke Free Ontario |
Smoking is prohibited in all parks including passive areas, walking trails, sport fields, playgrounds, wading pools, etc. The event organizer is responsible to ensure that the event and event attendees comply with the Smoke-Free Ontario Act. |
Transportation to your event |
Transportation emissions are Burlington’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions contributing to climate change. Do your part and encourage walking, cycling, transit and carpooling resources in all event promotions. Check out what bus routes are available near your event on the Burlington Transit website. |
How do I get started? |
Define your neighbourhood communityUse natural neighbourhood boundaries: a neighbourhood could be defined as a street, an apartment building, a few blocks or adjoining backyards. Be inclusive of all the people within the area you defined as your neighbourhood or community. A community can be defined as a group of people who identify with and support each other. Create an organizing committeeInclude everyone in the decisions about the event. Start with smaller events or activities for the first year. Things can always grow in future years. The more people who are involved, the more likely your event will set up a legacy and have a new leader each year to plan the event annually. Sign up as many neighbours or community members as you can to help outFor example, one person can create the flyer; a second person can be the contact for RSVPs and to answer questions; and a third person can put invitations in mailboxes. Pick an activity or project you think would suit your neighbourhood or community. Ideas for Events:
Think about InclusionWho is in your neighbourhood - Seniors? Youth? Who else? This section gives ideas based on the type of people in your neighbourhood. Find ways to include youth:
Find ways to include people with a disability:
Find ways to include Seniors:To find ways to include seniors and support seniors taking part in neighbourhood events, please contact: Supervisor of Recreation Programs Adults and Seniors, City of Burlington at 905-335-7888, ext. 6339. |
Can I have a bouncy castle or inflatables? |
Yes, but there are important things to consider.
The funding from this grant no longer covers the cost of an inflatable. If you would like to have an inflatable at your event, we advise that you put it on private property. If you would like to put the inflatable on City property, you are required to get and submit proof of the inflatable company’s $5 million commercial general liability insurance as well as the inflatable company’s TSSA documents. You are also required to list the Corporation of the City of Burlington, 426 Brant St., Burlington, ON L7R 3Z6 as an additional insured. You will also be required to purchase insurance to ensure coverage for the other activities beyond the inflatable that are also taking place on City of Burlington property. You are able to purchase $2 million liability insurance through the City of Burlington. |
Is alcohol or cannabis permitted? |
The City will not fund or permit the purchase of any alcohol beverages, tobacco or cannabis products. Alcohol or cannabis products are not permitted at Love My Neighbourhood events or on public property. |
Are fireworks permitted? |
Fireworks are never permitted on public property, or City of Burlington streets.
Fireworks are permitted to be set off on Victoria Day and Canada Day (July 1), and three days before each holiday. Visit burlington.ca/fireworks for more information. |
Does Love My Neighbourhood support neighbourhood cleanups? |
If you would like to organize a neighbour cleanup and require garbage/recycling bags, gloves and garbage pickup on city property, visit Environmental Programs for more information.
If you would like to organize a celebration after your clean up, then Love My Neighbourhood would support this. |