Building Permits

• A building and/or structure less than 10 m2 (108 ft2) with no plumbing (regardless of height).
• Accessory detached buildings/structures for a house including sheds, gazebos, garages, carports, greenhouse/solariums, cabanas, shipping containers and other similar-type structures no higher than one storey high and less than 15 m2 (161 ft2) in gross area. It cannot have plumbing.
• Accessory detached pergolas for a house.
• Accessory detached outdoor fireplace. Open-air burning regulations may still apply, for any questions contact the Burlington Fire Department at 905-637-8207 or by email.
• Fences. Fences enclosing swimming pools, swim spas, hot tubs may require a pool enclosure permit.
• Painting, decorating, millwork and replacing plumbing fixtures of the same type and in the same location.

• Patios (on grade) that are not covered or have a roof.

• Landscaping. Where landscaping projects affect private or public trees, you might need a tree permit. Contact Service Burlington at 905-335-7777 or by email to find out.

• Replacing doors or windows in an existing opening in a house, or in an accessory building serving the house.
• Replacing shingles with the same material as long as the roof has less than three layers of shingles.
• Replacing drywall with the same material that does not impact fire separation or other components of a wall, such as studs or insulation.
• Replacing exterior wall cladding, such as siding, with the same material and if there is no increase in thickness.
• Accessory detached decks that are:
  • less than 10 m2 (108 ft2),
  • less than 60 cm (24 5/8inches) high from grade measured from the top of the adjacent walking surface,
  • that are not covered or have a roof, and
  • for a house.

• Replacement heating and cooling equipment for a house (replacement meaning like for like and the same), such as:
  • Air conditioning unit(s)
  • Furnace(s)
  • Heat pump(s)
  • Solid fuel-burning appliance(s), etc.
• A class 1 sewage system with a chemical, incinerating, recirculating or self-contained portable toilet, all forms of outhouse or composting toilet system.
• A tent, or group of tents
  • 60 m2 and under in total ground area,
  • not attached to a building, and
  • located more than three m from other structures.
• Electrical work. The City does not issue electrical permits, but you must contact the Electrical Safety Authority at 1-877-372-7233 for related electrical permits.
• A retaining wall equal to or less than 1 m (3.3 ft) high.
• A pedestrian bridge that does not provide a means of exit or egress from a building on a property.
• An outside storage tank and its supporting structure regulated by the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000 (TSSA).
• Signs that are not supported by a building and/or do not require structural support. Sign permits are required to put any kind of sign on a public property.
• Solar collectors not mounted to buildings with a face area less than five m2 (54 ft2).
• A structure that supports a wind turbine generator having a rated output of less than 3kW.
• A dish antenna that is not mounted to a building with a face area less than five m2 (54 ft2).
• A permanent solid nutrient storage facility with supporting walls equal to or less than 1 m (3.3 ft) high.

Glossary

• House: A detached house, semi-detached house or row house containing not more than two dwelling units.
• Pergola: A structure that provides partial shelter and shade through a slatted or partial roof covering.
• Accessory: Accessory buildings are detached from other buildings/structures but on the same lot or property. They are auxiliary buildings used with the main house on the property.

It depends on the type of project. Most types of landscaping, such as hedges and patio stones, do not need a building permit. More permanent items, such as retaining walls, decks, and gazebos may need a building permit.

Contact us at 905-335-7731 to check if a Building Permit is required.

Where landscaping projects affect private or public trees, you might need a tree permit. For more information, please contact Service Burlington at 905-335-7777 or by email.

Yes, you can view the comprehensive list for project-specific building permit application requirements.

Your building permit will not expire as long as you start construction within six months after the permit is issued.

If construction has not begun after six months, your permit may be revoked as per section 8 of the building code act.

• Administrative penalty fees under the building permit bylaw.  See “work prior to permit issuance at any stage of construction” in schedule “A” of the bylaw for applicable administrative penalty fees.
• Receive order to comply to obtain a building/demolition permit.  The order may be registered on title which may affect your ability to refinance or sell the property.
• Receive order to stop work.  The order may be registered on title which may affect your ability to refinance or sell the property.
• Costly repairs or removal of construction that is not in compliance with the Ontario building code or other applicable law (i.e., Niagara Escarpment Commission, Conservation Authorities, zoning by-law, etc.).
• Costly inspections/reports by professional engineers.
• Possible fines and legal action against all parties involved.  Penalties under section 36 of the building code act indicate maximum fines for a first offence of $50,000 for an individual, or $500,000 for a corporation.

No. Please wait until you take ownership. In the City of Burlington, you must be the owner of the house before you can apply for a building permit.

If you bought a house that is in under construction by the previous owner, please apply for a transfer of permit. Contact the building department at 905-335-7731 or by email to apply for a permit transfer.

Yes, as the owner of the property, the building code under Div. C - 3.2.4 gives you an exemption so you can design your own drawings for buildings/structures on your property.

It’s important to understand the standard of drawings that are needed. Please prepare your plans and specifications with enough detail to show that your project will meet all the technical requirements of the Ontario building code. The standard and quality of expectation for the drawings remains the same, and all relevant information will need to be shown on the drawings. It is always recommended to hire a qualified designer to assist with your project. If you need help, please contact us at 905-335-7731 or by email.

Technical standards and builder’s tips provide important guidance and technical interpretations of the Ontario building code and building code act requirements to help with your building permit application and the construction process. View the list of building technical standards.

The City of Burlington does not specifically endorse any individual designer or organization and thus cannot recommend any specific designer.

The Building Code Act requires that a range of individuals and firms responsible for design activities regulated under the Act be qualified in their appropriate area of design and, when required, registered with the Province. Individuals and, in some instances, their firms must file with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing to obtain a Building Code Identification Number (BCIN).

The Ministry's Qualification and Registration Tracking System (QuARTS) public registry allows the public to access a registry of building practitioners and organizations (firms and municipalities) in order to verify their qualification information under the Building Code.

For certain projects, such as most industrial/commercial/institutional construction, a qualified or registered designer is not sufficient and the drawings must be stamped by an architect, professional engineer or both. Refer to Division C, Section 1.2 of the Building Code for specific requirements.