Municipal Consent

If you are planning any construction activity within the City of Burlington’s right-of-way or other City property, you must apply for a Municipal Consent Permit before starting any work.

Construction and occupation of the right-of-way or other City property is permitted and enforced in accordance with the City’s Municipal Consent By-Law 052-2026 and the Municipal Consent Manual.

A separate Road Occupancy Permit from Transportation Services is not required when a Municipal Consent Permit has been issued.

Apply for a Municipal Consent Permit

What are rights-of-way and other City property?

A right-of-way is the entirety of a road owned by the City and includes the travelled portion of the road, the sidewalk, the boulevard and the median.

Other City property is any other land owned or managed by the City and includes parks, parking lots and other City facilities.

When do you need a permit?

You need a Municipal Consent Permit for any construction or occupation of the right-of-way or other City property, including:

Excavation
Boreholes and monitoring wells
Utility service connections
Scaffolding or overhead protection
Temporary lane closures or obstructions
Any work that impacts public access or City infrastructure
When the swing of a crane or its boom swings over the right-of-way or other City property

Why are permits required?

Permits ensure that:

Work meets City standards and by-laws
Public spaces remain safe and accessible
Impacts to traffic, pedestrians, and nearby properties are minimized
City infrastructure is protected
Work areas are properly restored after completion of the work

Fees and deposits

Fees are set out in the City’s Rates and Fees By-law. A security deposit is required based on restoration costs for the work area.

By-laws and other requirements

All work must comply with:

What to expect

Submit your application online
City staff reviews your submission
You may be asked to provide additional information
Once your permit is issued, you can begin work
The work area must be restored to City standards after completion of the work

Need help?

If you are unsure whether your work requires a permit, contact us before applying.