Building Permits

Building Permit Public Notices
Electronic Building Permit Applications and Re-submissions
New Building Permit Application
Re-submission to an Existing Building Permit Application
Popular Building Permit Requests

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, we can make sure 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 bylaw and other planning controls on buildings
The local grading and drainage bylaw 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.

Building Permit Public Notices

Please note that some areas within City Hall, including the Building & By-law Deparment are currently closed to the public to help minimize the spread of the COVID-19 virus. During this time we will have access to email and will be able to reply to your email in a timely manner. For up-to-date information on city services, please visit the News and Notices web page.

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 buildingpermits@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

Or visit the Province's COVID-19 web page for the latest updates.

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

- Building and Bylaw Team

Electronic Building Permit Applications and Re-submissions

Effective July 5, 2021, the City of Burlington’s Building & By-law Department will only accept electronic building permit applications and re-submissions. Applications which were processed before July 5, 2021 will continue to be processed in a hard copy format unless otherwise directed by Building & By-law Department staff.

Before submitting, please refer to the Electronic Building Permit Application Submission and Re-submission Standards [PDF] which explains how to prepare your digital drawings and documentation files for application or re-submission. In addition, please refer to the checklists found on the Building Permit Application Requirements page for required items to include in your submission package.

Be advised that all submitted drawings and documentation must adhere to the Electronic Building Permit Application Submissions and Re-submission Standards (PDF]. To ensure an efficient permit process, submissions that do not meet this criteria will be refused and require re-submission before the permit application or re-submission package is accepted by the City of Burlington Building & By-law Department.

To submit a complete electronic package, please follow the instructions below depending on the submission type:

New Building Permit Application

For electronic building permit application packages (20 MB or less), please send all files by email to buildingpermits@burlington.ca with the wording “Building Permit Application” followed by the project address in the subject line and include suite/unit information, if applicable.

Example Subject Line: Building Permit Application – 123 Main Street, Unit 7

For large electronic building permit application submission packages (over 20 MB), please contact the Building & By-law Department to arrange a large file transfer.

The applicant will receive an email notification including the associated permit fee owing and payment options within two business days of the submission.

Re-submission to an Existing Building Permit Application

Electronic re-submission packages for existing building permit applications (20 MB or less) shall be emailed to buildingpermits@burlington.ca with the wording “Building Permit Re-submission” followed by the application number and the project address in the subject line including suite/unit information, if applicable.

Example Subject Line: Building Permit Re-submission – 21-123456 – 123 Main Street, Unit 7

For large electronic re-submission packages (over 20 MB), please contact the Building & By-law Department to arrange a large file transfer.

For questions regarding the above process, please contact the Building & By-law Department at 905-335-7731 x7470 or by email at buildingpermits@burlington.ca