An accessory dwelling permit in Burlington, Ontario is a building-permit application for an Additional Residential Unit (ARU). Start by checking the property’s zoning and the City’s pre-building approval requirements. Elmid Design Inc. provides professional engineering and design support for Burlington ARU projects.
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Key Takeaways
Eligible urban residential properties may accommodate a main home plus up to three ARUs, subject to the applicable zoning and site conditions. Building permits, safe access, servicing and Building Code compliance remain essential. Check the specific property before selecting a layout or committing to construction.
Burlington, Ontario: Start With the Correct Zoning
The City’s zoning page states that Residential Zoning By-law 09-2026 came into force on March 2, 2026. The City also identifies Zoning By-law 2020 as being in effect. Confirm which provisions, maps and site-specific exceptions apply to your address with Burlington zoning staff.
Zoning review should establish the permitted use, building location, height, setbacks, lot coverage and parking. A favourable result in an online lookup is an initial screening tool. The City still needs to review the actual proposal and supporting information.
How Many Additional Residential Units Are Allowed?
Under section 5.14 of the applicable 2026 Residential Zoning By-law, eligible urban residential parcels can have up to three ARUs in addition to the main home. Up to two of those ARUs may be detached units, within a maximum of one accessory building. This permission applies to the specified detached, semi-detached and townhouse forms, subject to all other requirements.
An ARU can be inside a home, attached to it, or in a separate building. Basement conversions, garage conversions and detached coach-house arrangements need different drawings. The number of units that fits a particular property depends on usable space, safe access, servicing and the applicable zoning envelope.
Parking and Pedestrian Access
Burlington’s ARU guidance gives a general parking requirement of two spaces for the primary home, no additional space for the first ARU, and one space for each second or third ARU. Check the applicable bylaw, location-specific rules and any exception before finalizing the parking plan.
Section 5.14 requires an unobstructed pedestrian route at least 1.2 m wide from the street to an attached or detached ARU entrance in a rear or interior side yard. Show the actual entrance and access route on the drawings, including stairs, gates and other projections. The Building Code’s exit and fire-safety requirements also need separate review.
Detached ARU Size, Height and Separation
For an accessory building containing detached ARUs, section 5.14 and Table 2 set an 80 m² maximum gross floor area, except in LN5 and LN6 zones where the maximum is 15% of lot area. Maximum heights are 7 m for a peaked roof and 6 m for a flat roof. A minimum 4 m separation from the principal building applies.
The same table generally requires 1.2 m from rear and interior side lot lines, increasing to 3 m for portions above 4.6 m with a peaked roof or 3.5 m with a flat roof. Exterior-side-yard, overhang and other restrictions also apply. Review the complete section 5.14 and Table 2 with the property’s zoning. These are detached-ARU provisions, not a universal size rule for every interior suite.
Pre-Building Approval and Permit Drawings
Follow Burlington’s step-by-step ARU process. The pre-building stage coordinates zoning and, where applicable, engineering and forestry review. The project may need a Zoning Clearance Certificate, grading and drainage clearance or tree approval before the building-permit stage can proceed.
Prepare an accurate site plan showing the lot, existing buildings, proposed work, setbacks, parking and access. Floor plans, elevations and sections should describe the unit and proposed construction. Depending on scope, the application may also need structural, HVAC, plumbing, energy-efficiency and servicing information.
For a conversion, begin with reliable measurements of the existing building. Identify ceiling heights, stairs, windows, structural supports and service locations. These details help the design team assess what changes may be needed before a permit package is assembled.
Building Code Review and Construction Inspections
An ARU needs safe living accommodation, including the required structural design, fire protection, exits, ventilation and plumbing. The applicable Building Code requirements depend on the building and the work proposed. Avoid selecting isolated dimensions from a generic checklist before that assessment.
After permit issuance, arrange inspections at the stages specified by the City. Keep the approved plans available and obtain approval for material design changes. Complete the required final and occupancy steps before using the new unit.
Incentives: Confirm Current Availability Before Budgeting
As checked on October 11, 2026, Burlington’s ARU incentive page still states that its application window closed on October 1, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. It also gives December 31, 2025 as the fee-waiver end date, while other City guidance refers to incentives more generally. Those mixed dates do not establish an open funding window.
Ask the City’s ARU program staff to confirm any current intake, remaining funding and applicable fee waiver in writing. Treat a loan, grant or waiver as unconfirmed until the City establishes eligibility and provides the relevant approval. A building permit and an incentive approval are separate decisions.
Planning Your Budget and Schedule
Budget for the complete project: design, surveys, approvals, construction, servicing, inspections and any required third-party work. Request project-specific engineering and construction proposals. Published incentive caps or an older permit fee should not be used as a guaranteed reduction in the project cost.
Review time depends on application completeness, the design and any required external approvals. Leave time to respond to comments and revise coordinated drawings. Elmid Design Inc. can support the engineering portions of that review within the agreed scope.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can every Burlington property have four units?
No. The main-home-plus-three-ARU permission is subject to lot eligibility, the applicable zoning and all technical requirements. Check the address, available building envelope and servicing before deciding how many units to propose.
Is the first ARU required to have an extra parking space?
The City’s current general ARU guidance requires no additional parking space for the first ARU. It lists one space for each second or third ARU, alongside the primary-home requirement. Confirm location-specific provisions with zoning staff.
Does a detached ARU follow the same dimensions as a basement suite?
No. Detached ARU buildings have their own zoning provisions. An interior conversion must be assessed against the rules for the existing principal building and the applicable Building Code requirements.
Can I still apply to the 2025 incentive window?
That published window has closed. Ask Burlington whether a new intake or another program currently applies before relying on financial assistance.
Who reviews the permit application?
The City of Burlington reviews the municipal application. The design team supplies drawings and calculations, answers comments and helps coordinate other approvals where required. Approval remains the City’s decision.
Engineering Support From Elmid Design Inc.
Elmid Design Inc. provides professional engineering and design consulting for Burlington projects. Elmid Design Inc. holds a Certificate of Authorization from Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO). Our project scope can include structural and civil design, coordinated drawings and permit-review support. Contact Elmid Design Inc. with your property address, existing plans and proposed ARU concept to request an engineering proposal.
Geographic Locations That We Service:
Elmid Design Inc. provides professional engineering and design consulting for permit applications across Ontario, including the municipalities below. Services and submission requirements are confirmed for each project and jurisdiction.
Toronto and Surrounding Areas
In the vibrant heart of Ontario, we service Toronto (City of Toronto) and surrounding areas. Additionally, we cover Oshawa (City of Oshawa), Pickering (City of Pickering), and Clarington (Municipality of Clarington). Furthermore, our expertise extends to Ajax (Town of Ajax), Whitby (Town of Whitby), Brock (Township of Brock), Scugog (Township of Scugog), and Uxbridge (Township of Uxbridge).
Halton Region
Moving to the Halton Region, our services encompass Burlington (City of Burlington) and Halton Hills (Town of Halton Hills). Also included are Milton (Town of Milton) and Oakville (Town of Oakville).
Peel Region
In the Peel Region, we provide services in Brampton (City of Brampton), Mississauga (City of Mississauga), and Caledon (Town of Caledon).
York Region
Our services in the York Region cover Vaughan (City of Vaughan), Aurora (Town of Aurora), and East Gwillimbury (Town of East Gwillimbury). We also cater to Georgina (Town of Georgina), Markham (City of Markham), Newmarket (Town of Newmarket), Richmond Hill (City of Richmond Hill), Whitchurch-Stouffville (Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville), King (Township of King), and Bradford-West Gwillimbury (Town of Bradford-West Gwillimbury). Each municipality here offers a distinct setting, requiring our specialized approach.
Other Southern Ontario Cities and Towns
We also serve many other cities and towns in Southern Ontario. These include Hamilton (City of Hamilton), St. Catharines (City of St. Catharines), Niagara on the Lake (Town of Niagara on the Lake), Brant (County of Brant), Cambridge (City of Cambridge), Kitchener (City of Kitchener), Waterloo (City of Waterloo), and Woodstock (City of Woodstock). Furthermore, we operate in Guelph (City of Guelph), Centre Wellington (Township of Centre Wellington), Shelburne (Town of Shelburne), Orangeville (Town of Orangeville), New Tecumseth (Town of New Tecumseth), Essa (Town of Essa), Collingwood (Town of Collingwood), Wasaga Beach (Town of Wasaga Beach), Barrie (City of Barrie), Midland (Town of Midland), Orillia (City of Orillia), Ramara (Town of Ramara), Minden Hills (Town of Minden Hills), North Kawartha (Town of North Kawartha), Kawartha Lakes (City of Kawartha Lakes), Peterborough (City of Peterborough), Selwyn (Town of Selwyn), and Brighton (Municipality of Brighton).
