Service Burlington is responsible for the registration and renewal of group homes in the City of Burlington. A number of requirements must be met before a group home can be registered.
Bylaws governing the operation of group homes include:
This information is intended to assist group home providers with the group home registration and renewal process. We've learned a lot about how neighbours regard group homes and their expectations. As one group home provider said "the group home has to be the best kept home on the street". We thought it would be useful to share some of the information to assist you with your successful integration into the neighbourhood.
The City of Burlington has determined that group homes and correctional group homes are residential uses and the zoning by-laws are written accordingly. Note that all references to "Group Homes" include "Correctional Group Homes".
The original registration by-law and zoning provisions were adopted by City Council in 1990, reviewed in 2000-2001, and updated again in 2005. The current group home registration by-law is By-law 031-2001, and by-law 044-2005 as amended.
What is defined as a group home in Burlington? |
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What is defined as a correctional group home in Burlington? |
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Where are group homes are permitted? |
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Group home fees |
Registration Fees
Registration Fees
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Group home registration and renewal process |
1. Pick up a group home application from Service Burlington at City Hall or print the forms that are available on line.
2. Complete the application including:
3. Hold a public information meeting |
Group home public information meeting |
Your organization must host a public information meeting prior to occupancy of the group home. The Clerks Department will help facilitate the distribution of the notices, at a cost to the group home. We encourage you to host the meeting in the group home. This gives the neighbours an opportunity to see the home, which eases tension and gives neighbours a first-hand look at the home and how it will operate. Prior to the meeting you are required to give notice to residents within 120 metres of the group home property. The notices will be distributed by the City of Burlington using your organization's letterhead. This is to ensure that the public notification conditions of the Group Home Registration By-law are met. If you cannot hold the public information meeting in the group home then it may be helpful to hold an additional open house after the home is occupied. This allows the neighbours to meet your staff and residents in the group home in a home-like setting. |
Group home registration confirmation |
Once the necessary items are satisfied, the City of Burlington will register your group home. You will receive a letter confirming your registration and the home will be noted in the City's database. Each year after your registration, you will receive a renewal notice from the Registrar. If the nature of the group home has changed during the year since registration or your last renewal, advise the Registrar of the change and the nature of the change. |
Contact information |
City of Burlington City Hall, 426 Brant Street, P.O. Box 5013 Burlington, ON L7R 3Z6
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Developing and maintaining a good relationship in the neighbourhood |
Before opening:
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Ongoing safety for group homes |
Police dropping off residents in handcuffs or public outbursts of anger or coarse language within proximity to a group home are examples of incidents that can lead to a sense of uneasiness about the safety of a neighbourhood. Avoiding these will help your relationship with neighbours. If there is such an occurrence, consider speaking directly to neighbours to explain what happened and what steps have been taken to avoid a reoccurrence. Fire safety will continue to be your responsibility. Under the Ontario Fire Code, building owners are required to maintain safety in buildings. Group homes in Burlington are inspected prior to occupancy and on an annual basis. The following items are important to maintain a safe building and remain in compliance with the Ontario Fire Code:
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