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Burlington, Ont.— May 8, 2023 — The City of Burlington has updated its pre-building approval process and launched a new online self-serve tool called MyFiles. These improvements will help speed up when applicants can apply for a building permit.
The new MyFiles tool lets applicants check on the status of their pre-building approval application in real time. It allows them to follow along as their application goes through each step in the review process.
While applicants are still welcome to contact staff with questions, they can now login to this new portal to access information they may need about their application, if they prefer.
MyFiles can be used by residents who have applied for Pre-Building Approval after April 24, 2023. Once an account has been created, applicants can check the status of their files for applications related to:
- decks,
- accessory building or structure like a shed or gazebo,
- renovations such as additions or
- build a new house.
Process Updates
The process has been updated by separating the review of the Zoning Bylaw, Grading and Drainage Bylaw, and Tree Bylaw so that:
- a Zoning Clearance Certificate is needed before applying for a Building Permit.
- a Grading and Drainage Clearance Certificate is needed before a Building Permit can be issued.
- a Tree Permit is needed before construction can begin.
Background
In 2021, the Provincial Government awarded the City one million dollars to help modernize, streamline and accelerate its processes for managing and approving housing applications.
This funding, received through the Streamlined Development Application Fund, will help to reduce the project cycle time of development review and approval processes. It will also make the process more efficient and streamlined to improve customer satisfaction. This will contribute to the strategic goal to increase housing construction across the city and offer responsive growth management.
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Quote
Jamie Tellier, Acting Director of Community Planning
“We are thrilled to be launching our MyFiles portal. This portal gives Pre-Building Approval Process applicants a self-serve option to monitor their applications as they move through the City’s review process.
Our customers told us if they could follow their application through our process so they knew what stage it was at, it would help with their project plans and schedules.
MyFiles is a major step to help save time for both City staff and our customers, will improve the overall customer experience and allow staff to focus on the work that provides the greatest value to the City and to our customers. Any new applications submitted on April 24 and beyond can be monitored using the new portal.”
Links and Resources
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Media contact:
Carla Marshall
Communications Advisor
carla.marshall@burlington.ca
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