# Burlington Building Permit Application | 14-18 Weeks

> Full Burlington building permit submissions for new custom homes: drawings, Committee of Adjustment variances and Halton coordination. $8.5K-$24K, 14-18 weeks.

URL: https://customhomebuilderburlington.ca/building-permit-application/

![Permit drawing set with site plan and grading plan on a desk in our Burlington office](/images/misc/permit-drawing-set-with-site-plan-grading-plan-and.webp)

14-18 Weeks Est. 2003

# Burlington Building Permit Application, ON | Full Submission + Variance

Last updated: October 13, 2026

We keep a dedicated Burlington Building Division expeditor in-house, so architectural, structural, mechanical, SB-12 energy and grading reviews are pre-coordinated before submission. That matters because Burlington sees roughly a 40 percent first-submission revision rate, and each revision cycle can add weeks.

Most of our projects reach permit-in-hand in 14 to 18 weeks, against a 24-week-plus industry norm. Full submissions with a variance typically cost $8.5K to $24K, and the same desk handles Committee of Adjustment, Halton Region, Conservation Halton and NEC coordination.

Typical range

$8.5K-$24K

per full submission + variance

Timeline

14-18 weeks to permit-in-hand

Request a Free Lot Evaluation

[#lot-evaluation-form →](#lot-evaluation-form)

 

Direct Desk: (647) 277-2001

[tel:+16472772001 →](tel:+16472772001)

14-18W

Permit Speed

7-Year

Tarion Warranty

$5M

Liability + WSIB

Request received

Thanks, we have your lot details.

We will call you back within 24 hours during business hours (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 9am-3pm). Need us sooner? Call 

(647) 277-2001

[tel:+16472772001 →](tel:+16472772001)

.

Free Lot Review

## Discreet Assessment and Lot Review

Find out if your lot works before you spend on drawings. 24-hour callback during business hours.

-   14-18 Week Permits
-   Tarion 7-Year Warranty
-   $5M Liability + WSIB
-   OHBA Member
-   BCIN Part 9
-   Since 2003

What We Do

## What Is Included in Burlington Building Permit Application?

We keep a dedicated Burlington Building Division expeditor in-house, so structural, mechanical, energy and site plan reviews are pre-coordinated before submission. That matters because Burlington sees roughly a 40 percent first-submission revision rate, and each revision cycle can add weeks. Most of our projects reach permit-in-hand in 14 to 18 weeks, against 24+ industry norm.

-   Complete permit package: architectural, structural, HVAC, SB-12 energy, grading
-   Committee of Adjustment minor variance applications
-   Halton Region, Conservation Halton and NEC coordination
-   Revision responses handled in-house
-   Demolition permit and utility disconnect coordination
-   Inspection booking through final occupancy

![Building permit card posted on a custom home under construction in Burlington](/images/misc/building-permit-card-posted-in-window-of-framed-cu.webp)

Building Permits

$8.5K-$24K

per full submission + variance

Includes

Submission packageVariance applicationAgency coordinationRevision responses

Timeline

14-18 weeks to permit-in-hand

Get a written number for your lot

[#lot-evaluation-form →](#lot-evaluation-form)

Custom Home Builder Burlington

[/ →](/)

 provides building permit applications, minor variance applications, agency coordination and permit expediting for new custom homes throughout Burlington and Halton Region, backed by 22+ years combined Halton design-build experience. This page explains how a Burlington permit works, why so many applications come back, what a complete package includes and how our in-house expeditor keeps most projects to 14 to 18 weeks.

## What Is a Burlington Building Permit Application?

Before you build a new home in Burlington, the City’s **Burlington Building Division** must review and approve your drawings under the **Ontario Building Code**. For a custom house, that means **OBC Part 9**, which covers houses and small buildings. The permit confirms that the design meets the Code and that the project complies with applicable law, including **Zoning By-law 2020**.

In practice, a permit application is not one document. It is a coordinated set of drawings, engineering and compliance reports, plus any approvals that must come first from other agencies. That is where most delays happen.

## Why Burlington Permits Get Delayed

Burlington has issued hundreds of custom home permits a year since 2020, with roughly a **40 percent first-submission revision rate**. Each revision means comments, redrawn sheets, resubmission and a new review cycle. Projects submitted without pre-coordinated structural, mechanical, energy and site plan reviews add 10 to 16 weeks to the schedule.

The most common causes we see:

1.  **Zoning calculation errors.** Setbacks, coverage, height or the number of storeys measured incorrectly under By-law 2020.
2.  **Drawing mismatches.** The structural sheets do not match the architectural sheets, or the HVAC design does not match the floor plan.
3.  **SB-12 energy gaps.** The energy compliance path does not match the specified windows, insulation or mechanical equipment.
4.  **Grading and drainage.** The lot grading plan does not clearly show how water leaves the lot without affecting neighbours.
5.  **Missing prior approvals.** A Conservation Halton or Niagara Escarpment Commission permit, or a minor variance, is needed before the building permit can be issued.

## Applicable Law: The Approvals That Come Before the Permit

A building permit cannot be issued until other required approvals are in place. For Burlington custom homes, those usually include:

-   **Committee of Adjustment minor variance** under the **Planning Act**, if the design departs from By-law 2020.
-   **Conservation Halton permit** for lots in regulated areas near Grindstone Creek, Rambo Creek, Shoreacres Creek or the Lake Ontario shoreline. See our 
    
    Conservation Halton permit service
    
    [/halton-conservation-authority-permit/ →](/halton-conservation-authority-permit/)
    
    .
-   **Niagara Escarpment Commission development permit** for lots inside the **Niagara Escarpment Plan** Area of Development Control.
-   **Halton Region** servicing approvals under the **Halton Region Official Plan**, for water and wastewater connections.

Our expeditor sequences these so they run in parallel wherever possible.

> **The one-desk advantage**
> 
> When the same person manages the variance, the conservation permit, the escarpment permit and the building permit, nothing waits for a handoff. That is the single biggest reason our projects reach permit-in-hand in 14 to 18 weeks.

## What a Complete Permit Package Includes

| Document | Prepared by | Why it matters |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Site plan with zoning calculations | BCIN designer | Confirms By-law 2020 compliance |
| Architectural plans, elevations, sections | BCIN designer | Core of the OBC Part 9 review |
| Structural drawings and engineering | Structural engineer | Footings, beams, steel, snow and wind loads |
| HVAC design | Mechanical designer | Heat loss and gain, duct design, ventilation |
| SB-12 energy compliance | Energy advisor or designer | Confirms energy efficiency path |
| Lot grading and drainage plan | Engineer or designer | Required for infill and new lots |
| Demolition permit and tree information | Expeditor | Teardowns and mature lots |

Every home we build also meets **TGS Tier 1** performance as standard spec, which exceeds SB-12, and is enrolled with **Tarion** before occupancy.

## Minor Variances: When and How

A minor variance is the most common planning approval on a Burlington custom home. Typical requests involve height on flat-roof designs, side-yard setbacks on narrow lots or lot coverage on larger homes. The Committee of Adjustment considers four tests under the Planning Act, including whether the variance is minor and maintains the general intent of the zoning by-law and Official Plan.

Our expeditor prepares the application and drawings, manages notice and the sign on the property, meets neighbours with you where helpful and presents at the hearing. James O. in Waterdown received approval for a flat-roof height variance in under three months.

## Permit Costs and What You Pay For

Our full submission service, including a variance where needed, typically costs **$8.5K to $24K**, depending on the complexity of the lot and the number of agencies involved. This covers preparation, coordination, submission, tracking and revision responses. City permit fees, development charges and agency fees are separate and are identified in the lot evaluation.

For clients building with us under a 

design-build contract

[/design-build-custom-home/ →](/design-build-custom-home/)

, permit work is part of the single contract.

## Start With the Lot Evaluation

Most permit problems are visible on day one if someone looks for them. Our 

written lot evaluation

[/custom-home-lot-evaluation/ →](/custom-home-lot-evaluation/)

 confirms zoning, measures the setback envelope, screens for Conservation Halton and NEC triggers and pre-qualifies the permit path before you spend on drawings.

Transparent Pricing

## How Much Does Burlington Building Permit Application Cost in Burlington?

Typical range: $8.5K-$24K per full submission + variance. You receive a line-item price on letterhead before you sign, and no change order happens without your written approval.

Deposit

Only the lot evaluation fee before contract, then 10 percent at signing.

Five milestone draws

Permit, excavation, framing, mechanical rough-in and final occupancy.

Change orders

None without your written approval. Finish allowances are written into the contract.

| Feature | Typical Provider | Custom Home Builder Burlington |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Time to permit-in-hand | 24+ weeks | 14-18 weeks |
| Drawing coordination | Separate consultants, coordinated after comments | Cross-checked before submission |
| Agencies | Owner chases each one | One in-house expeditor |
| Variance | Separate planner hired | Prepared and presented in-house |

Estimate your own budget with the 

custom home cost estimator

[/tools/ →](/tools/)

.

Why Us

## Why Choose Custom Home Builder Burlington for Building Permits?

A calm, exacting process backed by numbers, by-laws and named projects.

### Fewer revision cycles

Drawings are coordinated across disciplines before submission, which is where most of Burlington's 40 percent revision rate comes from.

### One desk, every agency

City, Halton Region, Conservation Halton, NEC and Committee of Adjustment are handled by the same expeditor.

### Realistic timeline

Most projects reach permit-in-hand in 14 to 18 weeks. We tell you when a lot will take longer, and why.

### Variances with neighbours in mind

We prepare the application, explain it to neighbours and present at the hearing with you.

### BCIN-qualified drawings

Permit drawings for Part 9 houses are prepared by BCIN-qualified designers with engineering coordinated in-house.

### Your drawings or ours

We can submit drawings we design or review and resubmit drawings you already have.

How It Works

## How Does Building Permits Work?

Every step has an owner, a document and a date.

1.  1
    
    ### Pre-application review
    
    Zoning By-law 2020 compliance, overlays and agency triggers confirmed against the lot evaluation.
    
    1-2 weeks
    
2.  2
    
    ### Coordinated drawings
    
    Architectural, structural, HVAC, SB-12 energy and grading sheets cross-checked before submission.
    
    3-6 weeks
    
3.  3
    
    ### Variance (if needed)
    
    Committee of Adjustment application, notice, neighbour meetings and hearing.
    
    8-12 weeks, in parallel
    
4.  4
    
    ### Submission and review
    
    Building permit submitted, comments tracked daily, revisions answered by the same desk.
    
    Within 14-18 weeks total
    
5.  5
    
    ### Permit-in-hand and inspections
    
    Permit issued, inspections booked from footing to final occupancy.
    
    Through construction
    

## Find out if your lot works before you spend on drawings.

Written lot evaluation in about two weeks. No deposit, no construction contract.

Request a Free Lot Evaluation

[/contact/ →](/contact/)

 

(647) 277-2001

[tel:+16472772001 →](tel:+16472772001)

Our Work

## Building Permits: Recent Work Across Halton

Site and finished-home photos from our Burlington and Halton projects. Select any image to enlarge.

 

See all projects

[/projects/ →](/projects/)

Client Experience

## What Clients Say About Our Building Permits Work

Every quote below is from a client who signed a fixed-price contract with us. We do not display a star rating because we have not imported third-party reviews.

> "Our flat-roof design needed a minor variance for height. The expeditor prepared the Committee of Adjustment application, met the neighbours with us and we had approval in under three months. The fixed price did not move once."

**James O.**, Waterdown$1,250K modern

> "Our lot backs onto Grindstone Creek and two other builders told us the house we wanted would not fit. The lot evaluation measured the real top-of-bank setback, the design was shifted 4 metres, and Conservation Halton approved it on the first submission."

**Chloe S.**, Aldershot$1,570K modern

> "I have built twice before with an architect and a separate contractor, and both times I was the referee. One contract changed everything. The draw schedule matched what we could see on site, and there were no change orders I had not signed."

**Michael R.**, Headon Forest$1,040K transitional

FAQ

## Building Permits Questions

Straight answers about burlington building permit application in Burlington and Halton.

Have a question about your own lot?

Request a Free Lot Evaluation

[/contact/ →](/contact/)

 

(647) 277-2001

[tel:+16472772001 →](tel:+16472772001)

How long does a building permit take in Burlington?

For a new custom home, most of our projects reach permit-in-hand in 14 to 18 weeks, compared with 24 weeks or more as the industry norm. The City's own review timelines apply once a complete application is submitted, but what usually adds time is revisions. Burlington sees roughly a 40 percent first-submission revision rate, and each cycle can add weeks. Coordinating all drawings before submission is how we avoid most of them.

Why do permit applications get sent back?

The most common reasons are coordination gaps and missing information: a structural detail that does not match the architectural drawings, an SB-12 energy compliance package that does not match the specified windows, a grading plan that does not show drainage clearly, or a zoning calculation that misses a setback or coverage rule. Each comment triggers a revision and a new review cycle.

When do I need a minor variance from the Committee of Adjustment?

You need a minor variance when your design does not meet a Zoning By-law 2020 standard, such as height, setback or lot coverage, and the departure is minor. The Committee considers whether the variance is minor, desirable for the property, and maintains the intent of the zoning by-law and Official Plan under the Planning Act. Our expeditor prepares the application, handles notice and presents at the hearing with you.

What permit fees and development charges apply to a new home?

A new home involves building permit fees based on floor area, and may involve development charges from the City of Burlington, Halton Region and school boards depending on whether the lot is new or a replacement of an existing dwelling. Replacement dwellings often receive credits. We identify the applicable fees and charges in the lot evaluation so they are in your budget from the start.

Can you handle the permit if I already have drawings?

Yes. We review your drawings against Zoning By-law 2020, the lot evaluation and OBC Part 9, coordinate any missing engineering or SB-12 documentation, and submit and track the application. If you plan to build with us, the permit work rolls into the design-build contract.

What drawings go into a permit package?

A typical new home package includes a site plan with zoning calculations, architectural floor plans, elevations and sections, structural drawings and engineering, HVAC design, SB-12 energy compliance documentation, a lot grading and drainage plan and, where needed, a demolition permit application and tree information.

Do you also coordinate the demolition permit?

Yes. For teardowns, we coordinate the demolition permit and confirmed utility disconnects with the building permit so demolition can happen as soon as the schedule allows.

Who books inspections once the permit is issued?

We do. Your project manager books Burlington Building Division inspections at footing, foundation, framing, rough-ins, insulation and final occupancy, and the Electrical Safety Authority for electrical work.

Keep Exploring

## Related Services

 

![Measuring setbacks with survey stakes on an empty Burlington lot](/images/misc/builder-measuring-setbacks-with-tape-and-survey-st.webp) Permits + Lot

[/custom-home-lot-evaluation/ →](/custom-home-lot-evaluation/)

### 

Custom Home Lot Evaluation

[/custom-home-lot-evaluation/ →](/custom-home-lot-evaluation/)

$4K-$12K

A written feasibility report on your lot before any contract: what you can build, what it will cost and what could stop it.

Fixed price . Tarion 

Details

[/custom-home-lot-evaluation/ →](/custom-home-lot-evaluation/)

 

![Grindstone Creek ravine edge behind an Aldershot lot with survey stakes marking top of bank](/images/misc/wooded-grindstone-creek-ravine-edge-behind-aldersh.webp) Permits + Lot

[/halton-conservation-authority-permit/ →](/halton-conservation-authority-permit/)

### 

Halton Conservation Authority Permit

[/halton-conservation-authority-permit/ →](/halton-conservation-authority-permit/)

$5K-$18K

Permits for lots near Grindstone, Rambo or Shoreacres Creek or the Lake Ontario shoreline, managed alongside your building permit.

Fixed price . Tarion 

Details

[/halton-conservation-authority-permit/ →](/halton-conservation-authority-permit/)

 

![Design-build team reviewing drawings inside a framed custom home in Burlington](/images/misc/design-build-team-reviewing-printed-custom-home-dr.webp) Core Builds

[/design-build-custom-home/ →](/design-build-custom-home/)

### 

Design-Build Custom Home

[/design-build-custom-home/ →](/design-build-custom-home/)

$1M-$3M

One contract, one team and one fixed price from lot evaluation to occupancy. No handoffs between architect, engineer and builder.

Fixed price . Tarion 

Details

[/design-build-custom-home/ →](/design-build-custom-home/)

 

![Architectural elevations and 3D rendering of a custom home in our design studio](/images/misc/architectural-drawings-elevations-and-3d-rendering.webp) Design + Specialty

[/custom-home-architectural-design/ →](/custom-home-architectural-design/)

### 

Custom Home Architectural Design

[/custom-home-architectural-design/ →](/custom-home-architectural-design/)

$85K-$180K

Concept through permit-ready drawings and 3D renderings, designed around your lot's real envelope and budget.

Fixed price . Tarion 

Details

[/custom-home-architectural-design/ →](/custom-home-architectural-design/)

![](/images/misc/custom-home-framing-at-golden-hour-on-established-.webp)

Start With the Lot

## Ready to price your building permits project?

Book a written lot evaluation. You get zoning, setback envelope, Conservation Halton and Niagara Escarpment flags and a realistic budget, typically within two weeks, before any construction contract.

Request a Free Lot Evaluation

[/contact/ →](/contact/)

 

Call (647) 277-2001

[tel:+16472772001 →](tel:+16472772001)

-   No obligation
-   24-hour callback
-   Fixed price before you sign
-   Tarion registered