Our Business Licensing Bylaw regulates the operation of:
- Refreshment vehicles
- Restaurants, takeout restaurants and lunch counters
- Sales of tobacco, adult magazines or fireworks
Learn how to apply for a business licence.
By-law Enforcement
Learn about by-law enforcement in Burlington, including property standards, parking and animal control, and how to report a by-law concern.
Bylaws help keep Burlington safe, clean and welcoming for everyone. City bylaw enforcement officers support residents and businesses through education, guidance and enforcement.
Report a bylaw concern
If you see someone violating a City bylaw, there are a number of options for reporting:
- For parking violations, contact the City of Burlington by phone at 905-335-7777 or by email.
- For an animal-related concerns or violations, contact Animal Control by phone at 905-335-7777 or by email.
- To report a concern about site alteration or if you are experiencing flooding due to your neighbour's site alteration, contact the City of Burlington by phone at 905-335-7777 or by email.
For all other bylaws, you can report to By-Law Enforcement by phone at 905-335-7731 or by email.
Please include your name, address and telephone number in your email or voice message.
Any information provided is confidential and will not be shared.
Bylaw enforcement for private property
Bylaw enforcement officers from the Bylaw Compliance Department respond to service requests, inquiries and complaints on private property. This can include these types of service requests and inquiries.
Our Lot Maintenance Bylaw regulates:
- Graffiti
- Long grass and noxious weeds
- Improper loose-leaf placement - leaves placed in a way that blocks sidewalks or bike lanes, or creates flooding hazards.
- Storage of derelict vehicles
- Water standing more than seven days
Our Noise and Nuisance Control Bylaw regulates noise and nuisances including:
- Construction equipment related to construction noise
- Amplified sound (e.g., music, loudspeakers, pest control devices)
- Stationary sources and mechanical noise (e.g., generators, pumps, HVAC equipment)
Noise Exemption Permit
The Chief Noise Control Officer may approve noise exemptions for construction or similar activities that involve sound or vibration. These approvals can include requests to extend permitted work hours.
All other exemption applications require Council approval through a report prepared by the City's Chief Noise Control Officer.
It is recommended that a Noise Exemption Application be submitted at least 30 days prior to the event date. If information and documents submitted are insufficient and require additional information, it may impact our ability to process the application in a timely manner.
The application process requires the applicant to send a Noise Exemption Notice to all residences within a 150-metre radius of the event or project location.
A Notification Map Tool is available to assist in identifying affected addresses.
Applicants for a noise exemption must consult with By-law Compliance staff before sending out this notification.
Apply for a Noise Exemption Permit
Public Notice and Map View
Members of the public can track active and concluded noise exemption permits using our interactive online mapping tool.
Our Property Standards Bylaw sets rules around property ownership and operation, including:
- Heating requirements in residential rental units between September 15 and May 31
- Minimum standards for accessory buildings, fences and parking garages
Learn more about how property standards ensure that residential buildings are properly maintained and safe.
Our Sign Bylaw regulates sign usage and placement, including:
- Nuisance signs
- Portable and directional signs
- Sign Permits
- Sign placement and size
Our Pool Bylaw addresses pool issues, including:
- Pool enclosures
- Pool fencing and gates
- Pool permits
Our Zoning Bylaw regulates building zoning, including:
- Accessory buildings and structures
- Fencing and privacy screens height
Parking enforcement on city property
Our bylaw officers address parking violations throughout the city. To report a parking violation or inquire about the parking bylaw, please contact the City of Burlington by phone at 905-335-7777 or by email.
Learn more about parking in Burlington, including parking enforcement and exemptions.
Election Signage
Municipal election signs may be displayed starting August 22, 2026. This timing aligns with surrounding municipalities as well as provincial and federal election protocols, which allow election signage once the writ of election is issued and the formal election period begins.
The City of Burlington’s Sign By-law and Election Sign By-law set out rules for where and how election signs may be placed. Election signs are permitted as a form of expression under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, but they must still follow City by-laws.
When enforcement may occur
The City may remove a sign and/or issue a charge if an election sign is:
- placed on private property without the property owner’s consent
- placed on City property (for example, in a park)
- placed on road allowance outside of the boulevard (for example, on sidewalks, medians, or the travelled roadway)
- installed earlier than August 22, 2026
- not removed within four days after election day
- unsafe or in poor condition
- attached to trees, utility poles, traffic control devices, or similar structures
- designed with flashing lights or moving/rotating parts
- using City logos or the municipal election logo
- blocking pedestrian movement or visibility
- interfering with traffic safety, traffic control devices, or City operations
- blocking parking, access, or fire safety features (such as fire routes, hydrants, or exits)
Election signs are also not permitted on any property while it is being used as a voting location during voting hours.
Grading, drainage and site alteration
If you are experiencing flooding due to your neighbour's site alteration, or would like to report a site alteration concern, contact the City of Burlington by phone at 905-335-7777 or by email.
Our Site Alteration Bylaw prevent property owners from making changes to their property that could negatively affect their property or their neighbour's. Any change to your lot's grading could affect the draining of your property and your neighbour's property. Carefully considering how a change may affect drainage is important for avoiding flooding problems.
Animal control
For an animal-related concern, please contact Animal Control by phone at 905-335-7777.
Our enforcement officers from the Burlington Animal Shelter handle all bylaw concerns regarding animals. They often address issues related to barking dogs, off leash dogs, missing dogs and dog licensing.