Building Permits

To protect the public and City staff and to help minimize the spread of COVID-19, access to City Hall is limited to Service Burlington services only, including in-person payments for:

The above services are also available for online payments. Service Burlington continues to offer marriage licenses and commissioning services by appointment. Please call Service Burlington at 905-335-7777 or email city@burlington.ca to schedule. The Service Burlington counter is open between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.

City staff continue to work remotely and are ready to assist the community in the delivery of as many services as possible. For information and updates on City services, including what’s open and closed visit burlington.ca/coronavirus. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

We are currently processing building permit applications. If you are looking to apply for a building permit or follow up on an existing building permit application please email building@burlington.ca. Staff from the Building Division will respond to your request and be able to assist you with the building permit process.

Where construction can lawfully proceed under Ontario Regulation 82/20 as amended, it is the owner’s responsibility and/or each person responsible for the place of business that the business operates in accordance with all applicable laws, including the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the regulations made under it;

The owner and/or each person responsible for the place of business that which continues to operate shall operate in compliance with the advice, recommendations and instructions of public health officials, including any advice, recommendations or instructions on physical distancing, cleaning and/or disinfecting.

Public enquiries relating to what businesses are deemed essential, and which are not, please refer to the Province’s ‘Stop the Spread Business Information Line’ at:

1-888-444-3659
8:30 am to 9:00 pm / Monday to Friday
8:30 am to 5:00 pm / Saturday and Sunday

https://www.ontario.ca/page/stopping-spread-covid-19

Thank you for you understanding and patience during these current circumstances.

- Building and By-law Department

The city's building division issues permits for the construction, renovation, demolition and certain changes of use of buildings. It also issues permits for the installation, alteration, extension or repair of on-site sewage systems.

Building permits protect the interests of individuals and the community. By reviewing and approving building plans before any work is done, they city can ensure buildings comply with:

The Ontario Building Code, which sets standards for the design and construction of buildings to meet objectives such as health, safety, fire protection, accessibility and resource conservation
The local zoning by-law and other planning controls on buildings
The local grading and drainage by-law for low density residential lands
Other applicable law, including conservation authority approvals and certain requirements under the Environmental Protection Act.

Resources provided in this section will help you determine if you need a building permit and, if so, which building permit application requirements are needed for your specific construction project or building demolition. Our building permit process flow chart summarizes the steps involved, including when you need to arrange for a building inspection. You can also visit our frequently asked questions.

Building statistics and reports are available as well as a map of the status of permit inquiries throughout the city.