Ontario Municipal Property Guide
Burlington Property Guide
Property taxes, zoning, building permits, renovations, additional residential units, short-term accommodations and local property rules for homeowners and buyers in Burlington, Ontario.
Last reviewed: September 6, 2026. Burlington introduced a new Residential Zoning By-law in 2026, and municipal rules, fees and permit requirements can change. Confirm property-specific information with the City of Burlington and other applicable authorities before relying on it for a purchase, renovation, rental or development decision.
Owning Property in Burlington
Burlington has a broad mix of detached homes, semi-detached homes, townhouses, condominiums, established neighbourhoods, redevelopment areas and rural or environmentally constrained properties near the Niagara Escarpment.
Property rules can vary considerably depending on zoning, lot dimensions, building type, Conservation Halton regulation, Niagara Escarpment policies and any property-specific approvals or exceptions.
Property Taxes
Review MPAC assessment values and City, Halton Region and education tax components.
New 2026 Zoning
Burlington’s Residential Zoning By-law 09-2026 came into force on March 2, 2026.
Additional Units
Qualifying properties can support up to three ARUs in addition to the main home.
Property Taxes in Burlington
Burlington property taxes are calculated using the property’s MPAC-assessed value and the applicable tax rates. The City collects property taxes on behalf of the City of Burlington, Halton Region and Ontario’s education system.
2026 Assessment Base
Ontario’s province-wide reassessment remains postponed. For 2026, property assessments generally continue to use January 1, 2016 current values as the valuation base, subject to property-specific changes made by MPAC.
2026 Tax Billing
Burlington sends an interim tax bill at the beginning of the year and a final bill after the annual tax rates are established.
- Interim bill: two instalments, typically due in February and April.
- Final bill: two instalments, typically due in June and September.
2026 final regular instalments:
- June 23, 2026
- September 23, 2026
Pre-authorized payment plans can use different withdrawal schedules. Always rely on the actual tax bill or payment-plan documentation for the property.
Where the Tax Dollar Goes
For 2026 residential taxes, the City reports that approximately 52.0% of each residential tax dollar collected remains with Burlington, 32.9% goes to Halton Region and 15.1% goes to the school boards.
Zoning in Burlington
Zoning regulates how land and buildings may be used and developed. It can control permitted uses, lot dimensions, building height, setbacks, parking, accessory structures and the number and form of residential units.
Residential Zoning By-law 09-2026
Burlington City Council approved Residential Zoning By-law 09-2026, and it came into force and effect on March 2, 2026.
The new residential zoning framework expands permissions for low-rise and missing-middle housing, including additional residential units and townhouse forms.
Before Buying or Renovating, Check:
- Current zoning designation
- Permitted residential uses
- Maximum number of dwelling units
- Building setbacks
- Lot coverage
- Building height
- Parking requirements
- Accessory buildings
- Additional residential unit permissions
- Site-specific zoning exceptions
- Conservation Halton regulation
- Niagara Escarpment Commission requirements where applicable
The zoning material available on the City’s website is intended for general research. For transaction-critical or development questions, confirm the current official zoning directly with the City.
Building Permits & Renovations
Burlington issues building permits for construction, renovations and demolition. Permit applications must comply with the Ontario Building Code, zoning and other applicable municipal approvals.
The City’s current Building Permit By-law is By-law 30-2026, as amended.
Pre-Building Approval
Many residential projects require a Pre-Building Approval review addressing zoning, grading and drainage or tree-related requirements before or alongside the building-permit process.
Since January 1, 2025, Burlington has allowed certain residential applicants to submit the building-permit application before the Zoning Clearance Certificate is issued for projects such as decks, accessory structures and an ARU in an accessory building.
Common Projects That May Require a Permit
- Home additions
- Structural renovations
- Additional residential units
- Accessory buildings and garages
- Decks and porches
- Large sheds
- Plumbing work
- Changes in building use
- Demolition
Additional Residential Units in Burlington
Additional residential units, or ARUs, are self-contained dwelling units located within a principal residence or in an accessory building on the same property.
Up to Three ARUs Plus the Main Home
Burlington’s current zoning allows qualifying properties to contain up to three additional residential units in addition to the principal dwelling.
The exact placement and configuration permitted on an individual lot depends on zoning, servicing, building-code and site-specific requirements.
ARU Incentive Program
Burlington also operates an Additional Residential Unit Incentive Program for qualifying projects. The program can provide incentives for eligible ARUs, subject to affordability, occupancy and program-agreement conditions.
The City states that incentives can apply to each eligible ARU, up to three ARUs. Program rules and available funding can change, so applicants should confirm current eligibility before relying on an incentive.
Decks, Porches & Patios
Burlington has specific permit thresholds for decks and porches.
A Deck Requires a Permit If:
- It is attached to a house or other structure;
- A detached deck is more than 10 m²;
- It is more than 600 mm above grade; or
- It is covered or has a roof.
An uncovered patio built directly on grade is generally treated as landscaping and does not require a building permit.
Sheds & Accessory Structures
A shed or accessory building requires a building permit in Burlington if it exceeds 15 m², is more than one storey, is attached to another building or structure, or contains plumbing regardless of size.
A small accessory structure can still be subject to zoning even where no building permit is required.
Properties within Conservation Halton or Niagara Escarpment Commission jurisdiction can also require separate agency review.
Short-Term Accommodations in Burlington
Burlington regulates short-term accommodations through a licensing by-law that took effect May 1, 2025.
Current Core Rules
- A City licence is required.
- The property must generally be the applicant’s primary residence, or operate with approval from the primary applicant under the City’s framework.
- A stay can be no longer than 28 consecutive days.
- The property can be rented for a maximum of 183 days in a calendar year.
Short-term accommodation licensing is different from the rules attached to Burlington’s ARU incentive program. If an ARU is receiving municipal incentive funding, short-term rental use can breach that funding agreement even where other municipal short-term accommodation rules would otherwise be relevant.
Niagara Escarpment & Conservation Considerations
Some Burlington properties are subject to additional environmental and development controls because of Conservation Halton regulation or Niagara Escarpment Commission jurisdiction.
This can be particularly relevant for rural or larger properties in north Burlington. A proposed structure that complies with municipal zoning may still require separate approval from another authority.
- Conservation-regulated lands
- Watercourses and flood hazards
- Niagara Escarpment Plan areas
- Natural heritage features
- Grading and drainage
- Tree protection
Confirm these constraints before purchasing a property specifically for an addition, detached ARU, major accessory building or redevelopment project.
Buying a Property in Burlington?
If renovations, rental income or future intensification are part of the purchase decision, property-specific due diligence is important.
- Review the current property tax bill.
- Confirm the MPAC assessment.
- Check the property’s zoning under the new residential by-law.
- Review site-specific exceptions.
- Investigate permits for significant renovations.
- Confirm the legal status of any existing basement apartment or ARU.
- Check short-term accommodation rules if applicable.
- Review Conservation Halton or Niagara Escarpment constraints where applicable.
- Estimate land transfer tax and closing costs before finalizing your budget.
Official Burlington Property Resources
- City of Burlington — Property Taxes
- City of Burlington — Zoning
- City of Burlington — Building Permits
- City of Burlington — Pre-Building Approval
- City of Burlington — ARU Incentive Program
- City of Burlington — Decks & Porches
- City of Burlington — Sheds & Accessory Structures
- City of Burlington — Short-Term Accommodations
- MPAC — Property Assessment
Frequently Asked Questions
How are property taxes calculated in Burlington?
Property taxes are generally calculated by applying the applicable City, Halton Region and education tax rates to the property’s MPAC-assessed value.
What zoning by-law applies to residential property in Burlington?
Burlington Residential Zoning By-law 09-2026 came into force on March 2, 2026 and is the City’s new residential zoning framework.
How many additional residential units can I have?
Burlington’s current zoning allows up to three ARUs in addition to the main home on qualifying properties, subject to zoning, servicing, building-code and other requirements.
Do I need a permit for a shed?
A shed or accessory building generally requires a permit if it is larger than 15 square metres, more than one storey, attached to another building or contains plumbing. Zoning rules apply even to smaller structures.
Do I need a permit for a deck?
A permit is required where the deck is attached to another structure, a detached deck exceeds 10 square metres, the deck is more than 600 mm above grade, or it is covered by a roof.
Can I operate an Airbnb in Burlington?
Short-term accommodations are permitted subject to the City’s licensing rules. The accommodation must generally involve the operator’s primary residence, stays are limited to no more than 28 consecutive days and the property can be rented for no more than 183 days per year.
Can Conservation Halton affect a renovation or new structure?
Yes. Properties within regulated areas can require separate Conservation Halton approval in addition to municipal zoning and building permits.
Continue Your Ontario Property Research
Questions About Buying or Selling in Burlington?
If you are considering a Burlington real estate purchase or sale and want to discuss the property, market or transaction process, you can contact a REALTOR®.
Disclaimer: Ontario Home Intel provides general educational information only. Information on this page is not intended as real estate, legal, financial, tax, lending, appraisal, inspection, engineering, planning or other professional advice. Municipal requirements, zoning, permit rules, taxes, fees and policies can change and can differ according to the individual property. Verify information with the City of Burlington, Halton Region, MPAC, Conservation Halton, the Niagara Escarpment Commission and other applicable authorities before making a decision. Using this website or making an inquiry does not create a real estate representation relationship.