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Planning and Development

HomePlanning and DevelopmentDevelopment Applications
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Development Applications

The City of Burlington accepts and reviews many types of development applications for those looking to start development projects within the city. Learn how to apply and what approvals may be required for your proposed development.

Begin your development application

How to submit a new development application
View the steps below to learn how to submit a new development application for a proposed development project with the City.
Discover which development application you require
View the information on this page and within the following pages to discover which type of development application you require for your project. Applications may have their own submission processes that you can follow to obtain approvals.
  • Minor variance or consent applications
  • Zoning Bylaw amendments
  • Zoning Clearance Certificates
  • Site plan applications
  • Site alteration permit applications
  • Official Plan amendments
  • Grading and Drainage Clearance Certificates
  • Part lot control applications
  • Demolition permit applications
  • Subdivision plan applications
Book a pre-consultation meeting with the City

If your development involves submitting any of the following application types, you will need to book a pre-consultation with the City before formally submitting your application:

  • Official Plan amendment
  • Zoning Bylaw amendment
  • Subdivision
  • Site plan control
  • Consent

Download and complete our Pre-consultation Meeting Request Form and follow the instructions on the form to include all necessary information and fees to go along with your form. You must include, at minimum:

  • Your completed form
  • The details of your proposed development (as described in the form)
  • A pre-consultation fee, which you can find in the development application fees.

Once you have all necessary information, forms and fees for your pre-consultation request, please submit your request in electronic format to planning@burlington.ca. Please follow the submission standards outlined in the request form.

Once we receive your submission, we will contact you directly with the date, time and location of your pre-consultation meeting with staff. It takes four to six weeks from the time we receive your submission until the meeting, as this allows staff to distribute the request to relevant departments and agencies for their input.

During the meeting:

  • Relevant City service departments and agencies will review their comments with you
  • We will provide preliminary feedback about the proposed development
  • We will discuss application requirements and next steps

We credit your pre-application fee to the corresponding development application, provided you submit it within one year of the pre-consultation meeting date. Development applications that are substantially different from the application presented during the pre-consultation meeting will not be credited and a new pre-consultation meeting may be required, including an additional fee. We will not credit additional pre-consultation fees to a future development application fee.

  1. Review our development application fees
    Review our development application fees for more information on costs associated with each type of application.
  2. Complete your submission with all requirements and fees
    Follow your specific development application submission instructions, as outlined on each application type's page, complete with all necessary forms, information requirements and fees.
  3. Await contact and next steps from the City
    Await correspondence from the City outlining next steps for application approval.

Burlington planning process

Discover more information about the City's planning process (for Official Plan amendments, Zoning By-law amendments and Plan of Subdivision applications), including:

  • Defining City planning
  • Why planning officials get involved and why plans change
  • Planning process in 10 steps
  • Different statuses of an application
  • Public notifications
  • Ontario Land Tribunal
  • Getting involved with a proposed development in your neighbourhood

Committee of Adjustment

The City's Committee of Adjustment reviews applications for Consents and Minor Variances to the Zoning Bylaw, including new dwellings and developments within character study areas. Learn how to submit an application and book a pre-consultation. You can also review application requirements for new lots and land division, and view committee meeting agendas and meetings.

Zoning

Learn more about the City's Zoning Bylaw, which governs land use and helps implement policies outlined in the Official Plan. Depending on the zoning designation of your property, you will need to follow specific land use and building and development regulations. If your development project does not comply with the bylaw, you will need to apply for a Zoning Bylaw amendment.

Official Plan

Check out the City of Burlington's Official Plan, which guides the City's land use strategy over the next 20 years. It ensures future planning and development will meet the specific needs of the community. Official Plan amendments propose changes to the plan due to new circumstances in the community or because of requests made by property owners.

Demolitions

Learn how to obtain a building permit for demolition before any demolition of a building can begin.

Grading and Drainage Clearance Certificates

Learn how to apply for a Grading and Drainage Clearance Certificate, which must be obtained prior to the issuance of any building permit for works on residential lots with ten (10) or fewer units.

Part lot control

Applying to remove part lot control enables landowners to sell a piece of a lot in a registered plan of subdivision. Normally, landowners may only sell a complete lot within the plan.

Site alteration permits

Depending on the type of development you are proposing, you may need a site alteration permit, which ensures that you, your neighbours, and the environment are not negatively impacted by construction when the land is altered.

Site plan control

Learn about site plan control, which permits the City, under the Official Plan, to control all new developments, building additions, certain building renovations, and various other site works, with the exception of detached and semi-detached homes in specific areas. You can apply for a site plan application for a major project, minor modification or minor development. You must have site plan approval before applying for a building permit.

Subdivisions

Discover how to apply for a registered plan of subdivision, which is applied with the creation of multiple smaller lots out of a larger piece of land, for the purpose of developing each smaller lot.

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
      • Demolition Permits
      • Grading and Drainage Clearance Certificate
      • Official Plan Amendments
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      • Site Alteration Permits
      • Site Plans
      • Subdivisions
      • Zoning
    • Development Charges
    • Heritage Conservation Planning
      • Municipal Cultural Heritage Register
      • Supporting Burlington's Heritage
    • Official Plan
      • Official Plan Amendments
    • Parks Design and Construction
    • Property Information Request
    • Storm Sewer Discharge Permits
    • Urban Design
    • Zoning
      • Zoning By-Law Amendments
        • Search Zoning By-Law Amendments
      • Zoning Clearance Certificates
        • Non-Residential Zoning Clearance Certificate
        • Pre-Building Approval Application

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