Please make sure your Zoning Clearance Certificates are approved before applying for a building permit or a pool permit.
- All zoning clearance certificates expire one year from the date they are issued.
- To find zoning information for a specific property, use our interactive zoning map.
For information on the Temporary Use ByLaw to permit temporary outdoor patios for the COVID-19 pandemic recovery please our patios page.
You must apply for a Property Information Request if you require a Zoning Verification Letter. Note: Please attach a detailed letter of use.
NEW – Email zoning certificate applications
The City of Burlington’s Community Planning Department is now accepting email submissions for:
- Zoning Clearance Certificates and
- the new Consolidated Pre-Building Permit application process for Low Density Residential Development: combined Zoning Clearance Certificate; Grading and Drainage Clearance Certificate and Forestry Review.
Application forms are available on the City website at: burlington.ca/en/services-for-you/Zoning-Clearance-Certificate
While City Hall is closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, complete applications should be submitted to zoning@burlington.ca. All other inquiries should be submitted to planning@burlington.ca.
The zoning mailbox is only to submit new applications. New applications require:
- Subject line to state: “New ZC application_applicant name_property address”
- Completed application form
- Applicable completed submission checklist
- Ensure application conforms to the Submission Standards. Note: Applications that do not conform to submission standards will not be accepted.
- Consolidated Pre Building Permit Application Form Submission Standards [PDF]
- Zoning Clearance Application Form Submission Standards [PDF]
Staff will contact you to:
-
confirm the application fees and
-
provide payment options
-
E-Transfers are the preferred method and must be sent from a bank that recognizes auto-deposit. Due to remote working situations, alternate forms of payment will take longer to process and can cause delays in the review process.
Application Process
- Complete the Consolidated Pre-Building Permit application form (PDF) for Low-Density Residential applications. Review Submission Standards [PDF]
- Complete the Zoning Clearance Application Form for all other applications [PDF]. Review Submission Standards [PDF]
- Provide all required fees (2021) [PDF]
- Ensure the application complies with the city's zoning by-law (Zoning By-Law 2020) and any other applicable laws.
- If you need approval from external agencies, obtain your approval from these agencies first and submit this with your Zoning Clearance application.
- Ensure your plans are to scale and include all required information listed on the Zoning Clearance checklists.
Have an active application?
Zoning certificate applications are reviewed in the order they are submitted.
There has been a high volume of applications received through the new electronic submission format.
We appreciate your patience as we work through processing applications.
Application Requirements
Along with your application, you must submit all applicable additional information:
Checklists
Residential
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Single Family Dwelling and Semi-Detached Dwellings
- Residential Additions
- Accessory Buildings
- Decks and Patios
- Basement Finish
- Accessory Dwelling Unit
Low Density Residential Handouts
- Floor Area Ratio
- Half Storey
- Lot Coverage
- Building Setbacks
- Accessory buildings and structures
- Flat roof
- Peaked roof
- Decks
- Encroachments
- Fences
Pools
- Zoning Certificate Checklist
- Zoning Clearance Application Form for Swimming Pools
- Site Alteration Form - Please copy mike.korobkin@burlington.ca with a pdf of this form in addition to zoning@burlington.ca
- Sample Pool Drawing [PDF]
Roads, Parks and Forestry Information
Council passed a private tree by-law within the Urban Boundary of the City of Burlington, effective January 27, 2020. Please contact the Forestry Section to confirm if a tree permit is required prior to issuance of a zoning certificate for all residential applications. This can also be completed online at burlington.ca/privatetree.
Are you applying for a pool permit? Please apply for Forestry approval prior to submitting a zoning clearance certificate application.
Industrial/Commercial/Institutional
These forms are posted as inaccessible PDF documents.
If you require them in an alternative format or with communication supports, please submit an Accessible Document and Communication request.