Development Applications

The City of Burlington accepts and reviews many types of development applications for those looking to start development projects within the City.

Learn how to apply and what approvals may be required for your proposed development.

Designing industrial or single detached dwellings? Learn more about eCheck, an AI tool designed to simplify the development review process for applicants.

How to submit a new development application

View the steps below to learn how to submit a new development application for a proposed development project with the City.

1. Discover which development application you require

View the information on this page and within the following pages to discover which type of development application you require for your project. Applications may have their own submission processes that you can follow to obtain approvals.

2. Book a pre-consultation meeting with the City

The City of Burlington requires that you have pre-consultations discussions with City and Agency Staff before you submit your consent application.

The City of Burlington recommends that you have pre-consultations discussions with City and Agency Staff before you submit your application for:

Official Plan Amendment
Zoning By-law Amendment
Plan of Subdivision
Site Plan Control

Complete our Online Pre-consultation Meeting Request Form and follow the instructions on the form to include all necessary information and fees to go along with your form. You must include, at minimum:

Your completed form
The details of your proposed development (as described in the form)
A pre-consultation fee, which you can find in the development application fees.

Once we receive your submission, we will contact you directly with the date, time and location of your pre-consultation meeting with staff. It takes four to six weeks from the time we receive your submission until the meeting, as this allows staff to distribute the request to relevant departments and agencies for their input.

During the meeting:

Relevant City service departments and agencies will review their comments with you
We will provide preliminary feedback about the proposed development
We will discuss application requirements and next steps

Development Application Fees

We credit your pre-application fee to the corresponding development application, provided you submit it within one year of the pre-consultation meeting date. Development applications that are substantially different from the application presented during the pre-consultation meeting will not be credited and a new pre-consultation meeting may be required, including an additional fee. We will not credit additional pre-consultation fees to a future development application fee.

Review our development application fees
Review our development application fees for more information on costs associated with each type of application.
Complete your submission with all requirements and fees
Follow your specific development application submission instructions, as outlined on each application type's page, complete with all necessary forms, information requirements and fees.
Await contact and next steps from the City
Await correspondence from the City outlining next steps for application approval.

Burlington Planning Process

Discover more information about the City's planning process (for Official Plan amendments, Zoning By-law amendments and Plan of Subdivision applications), including:

Defining City planning
Why planning officials get involved and why plans change
Planning process in 10 steps
Different statuses of an application
Public notifications
Ontario Land Tribunal
Getting involved with a proposed development in your neighbourhood

Committee of Adjustment

The Committee of Adjustment reviews Consent applications against the City’s Official Plan policies and the Planning Act consent criteria. Note: if an applicant is aware that a Minor Variance application is required to facilitate the consent proposal, please ensure these details are included in your submission. Minor Variance applications are reviewed against the Zoning Bylaw.

Pre-consultation reports will be provided to applicants following the completion of the pre-consultation technical review. A meeting may be requested by the applicant if further clarity regarding the technical comments is required. Otherwise, the applicant may proceed to making their formal consent application once they have received and reviewed their pre-consultation report and are satisfied with the comments. Visit the Committee of Adjustment webpage for more information.

Zoning

Learn more about the City's Zoning Bylaw, which governs land use and helps implement policies outlined in the Official Plan. Depending on the zoning designation of your property, you will need to follow specific land use and building and development regulations. If your development project does not comply with the bylaw, you will need to apply for a Zoning Bylaw amendment.

Official Plan

Check out the City of Burlington's Official Plan, which guides the City's land use strategy over the next 20 years. It ensures future planning and development will meet the specific needs of the community. Official Plan amendments propose changes to the plan due to new circumstances in the community or because of requests made by property owners.

Demolitions

Learn how to obtain a building permit for demolition before any demolition of a building can begin.

Grading and Drainage Clearance Certificates

Learn how to apply for a Grading and Drainage Clearance Certificate, which must be obtained prior to the issuance of any building permit for works on residential lots with ten (10) or fewer units.

Part lot control

Applying to remove part lot control enables landowners to sell a piece of a lot in a registered plan of subdivision. Normally, landowners may only sell a complete lot within the plan.

Site alteration permits

Depending on the type of development you are proposing, you may need a site alteration permit, which ensures that you, your neighbours, and the environment are not negatively impacted by construction when the land is altered.

Site plan control

Learn about site plan control, which permits the City, under the Official Plan, to control all new developments, building additions, certain building renovations, and various other site works, with the exception of detached and semi-detached homes in specific areas. You can apply for a site plan application for a major project, minor modification or minor development. You must have site plan approval before applying for a building permit.

Subdivisions

Discover how to apply for a registered plan of subdivision, which is applied with the creation of multiple smaller lots out of a larger piece of land, for the purpose of developing each smaller lot.