Decks
Check size / scopeBurlington requires a permit when a deck is attached, exceeds 10 m², exceeds 0.60 m in height, or is covered/roofed.
Burlington, ON
Building permits in Burlington
Burlington says interior or exterior renovations and additions may require a building permit; additions require a permit before construction begins.
Official sources checked Sep. 24, 2026
Permit rules by project
Pick the project that matches your work. These are starting rules for Burlington; property-specific zoning, heritage and trade approvals can still apply.
Sheds & accessory buildings
Check size / scopeBurlington requires a permit for an accessory building bigger than 15 m², taller than one storey, attached to another building/structure, or containing plumbing.
Basement renovations
Confirm with cityBurlington routes residential renovations through pre-building/permit review. does not treat every basement project as the same because scope and applicable-law approvals can differ.
Secondary suites & ADUs
Permit requiredBurlington states that an additional residential unit requires a building permit for the renovation/addition or accessory building used to create it.
Home additions
Permit requiredBurlington’s residential construction process routes house additions through building-permit and pre-building approval requirements.
Interior alterations
Depends on scopeBurlington’s general rule is that construction related to a building/structure requires a permit unless an exemption applies; cosmetic work and specified like-for-like replacements are exempt.
Walls / structural work
Permit requiredBurlington states that building/structure construction requires a permit except for specified exemptions; structural alteration is not one of the listed cosmetic/like-for-like exemptions.
Pools / hot tubs
Permit requiredBurlington identifies a Pool Permit as one of the permit types that may be required for home construction/renovation projects.
Garages / carports
Depends on scopeBurlington exempts qualifying one-storey detached garages/carports under 15 m² with no plumbing; larger, attached, taller or plumbed structures require a building permit.
Plumbing / HVAC
Depends on scopeBurlington exempts same-type same-location plumbing fixture replacement and like-for-like heating/cooling replacements for a house; new or altered systems can require permits.
Fences
Depends on scopeBurlington lists ordinary fences as not requiring a building permit, but a fence enclosing a pool, swim spa or hot tub may require a pool-enclosure permit.
Retaining walls
Check size / scopeBurlington explicitly exempts retaining walls that are 1 m high or less; taller walls require building-permit review.
Demolition
Permit requiredBurlington states that a building cannot be demolished unless a demolition permit has been issued by the Chief Building Official.
Apply or ask Burlington
Use the municipality’s permit office for current forms, fees, drawings and questions about your property.
Your application route
Open the official permit page ↗Use the official permit page to confirm project requirements, forms, fees and the current application process.
Good to know in Burlington
- For many residential projects, Burlington uses a pre-building approval process that checks matters such as zoning, grading and drainage before the building-permit stage.
- Residential projects in that process include decks, accessory structures, house renovations, new houses and additional residential units.
- Interior renovation and addition applications use project-specific checklists; additions require a building permit before construction.
- Burlington accepts the Pre-Building Approval submission online and does not accept hard-copy submissions for that review.
Official sources
Use these official links to confirm the current rule for your Burlington property.
View 7 official sources
Sources checked Sep. 24, 2026. Requirements can change; the municipality makes the final permit decision.
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