City of Burlington Home Renovation Permits: Your Complete Guide to the Process 

As part of our Hamilton, Halton and Brant permitting series, we bring you a guide to home construction in Burlington. Renovating in Burlington means working with the City’s Building & By-law Department and its digital-first permit system. This guide covers exactly which projects need permits, how to submit plans, what it costs, and how long approvals really take. 

Do You Need a Building Permit for Your Project? 

Burlington requires a permit for any project that affects structure, life-safety systems, or adds new floor area: 

• Additions, garages, carports, covered decks or porches 

• Finishing a basement or creating a secondary suite 

• Decks attached to the home or detached decks that are 

• larger than 10 m² (108 ft²) or 

• higher than 60 cm (24 5⁄8 in) above grade  

• Sheds/accessory buildings over 108 ft² or with plumbing 

• Window or door enlargements that alter structural openings 

• Plumbing, HVAC, or electrical relocations that require inspection 

Purely cosmetic work like painting, flooring, or cabinet replacement doesn’t need a permit, provided no plumbing or structural elements move. 

Projects That Usually Don’t Need a Permit 

• Detached decks under 108 ft² and under 24 in high 

• On-grade patios (concrete or paver) 

• Re-roofing, siding, eavestrough replacement (no structural change) 

• Interior décor updates that don’t modify exits, insulation, or load-bearing parts 

When in doubt, call the Building Department at 905-335-7731 before you build. 

Burlington’s Digital Application Process 

Burlington no longer accepts paper packages; everything is electronic: 

1. Pre-Building Approval (Zoning Clearance) – Required for most residential projects. Submit the online form and receive clearance before your permit application. 

2. Gather Drawings & Forms – Site plan, floor plans, elevations, cross-sections, BCIN designer schedules (if not owner-designed), and the provincial “Application for a Permit to Construct or Demolish.” 

3. Email Submission – Send the complete PDF set to [email protected]. All files must follow the City’s electronic submission standards. 

4. Plan Review – Staff examine drawings for Building Code and zoning compliance. 

5. Fee Invoice & Payment – Minimum fee is $377; larger jobs are calculated by service index × area or ~1 % of construction value for interior renovations. 

6. Permit Issued or Deficiency Letter – You’ll receive the permit card or a report listing items to fix. 

7. Book Inspections – Inspection milestones are printed on your permit card; call the assigned inspector as work progresses. 

Fees at a Glance 

*Ranges are examples; always use the City’s current Schedule “A” for exact numbers. 

Timelines: Official vs. Real-World 

The Ontario Building Code obliges Burlington to complete the first plan review for a detached or semi-detached dwelling within 10 business days. Straightforward home renovations often meet that target. 

• Simple, complete applications: 1–3 weeks 

• Projects needing resubmission: 4–6 weeks 

• Backlogged periods (spring): Up to 8 weeks 

Delays almost always stem from missing documents (e.g., grading certificate) or unresolved zoning questions. Submit a complete permit and plan package and respond quickly to deficiency letters to keep timelines short. 

Burlington Deck Rules (Most-Asked Question) 

Plan review for decks follows the 10-day service standard and requires a zoning clearance certificate first. 

Inspections & Close-Out 

After permit issuance, typical inspection stages are: 

1. Footing (for decks/additions) 

2. Framing / Structural 

3. Insulation / Vapour barrier 

4. Plumbing & Mechanical rough-ins 

5. Final – proves code compliance and closes the permit 

You must call or email to book each stage; uninspected work risks stop-work orders and re-opening of finishes. 

Pro Tips from Team Shane  

• Use Burlington’s checklists (deck, accessory building, interior reno) to ensure drawings meet current standards. 

• Budget permit time into your project schedule—no trades should start before the card is issued. 

• Plan for Conservation Halton reviews if your lot backs onto creeks, ravines, or the Niagara Escarpment. 

• Keep digital originals handy; revisions are resubmitted by email and are processed faster when file names follow the City’s naming convention. 

• Hire qualified designers: owner-drawn plans are allowed, but slow down reviews if code references are missing. 

Ready to Renovate in Burlington? 

Team Shane handles the entire permit journey, from zoning clearance to final inspection, so you can focus on design and budgeting. Get in touch today for a renovation plan that’s compliant and beautifully built.