Ontario
Menu
BuildRules/Burlington/Shed / accessory structure

Burlington shed permits

Do you need a permit for a shed in Burlington?

Check Burlington shed and accessory-building permit rules, including size, height, attachment, plumbing and the pre-building approval process.

2 min readReviewed Oct 1, 2026
The short answerConditional

A permit is required when the accessory building is bigger than 15 m², taller than one storey, attached to another structure or contains plumbing.

Burlington’s listed house-accessory exemption applies only when the structure stays below the stated thresholds. Zoning still applies even when a building permit is not required.

Make this useful for my project

Know what matters

What changes the answer.

Start with these conditions. The official reference is attached to each one.

SizePermit required above 15 m²Conditional

Burlington states that a shed or accessory building bigger than 15 square metres requires a permit.

Official sourceCity of BurlingtonSheds and Accessory Structures · Permit triggers, zoning and submission requirements
Verified2026-10-01Open proof
Height / attachment / plumbingPermit required when any listed trigger appliesConditional

A structure taller than one storey, attached to another building or containing plumbing requires a permit regardless of size.

Official sourceCity of BurlingtonSheds and Accessory Structures · Permit triggers, zoning and submission requirements
Verified2026-10-01Open proof
ZoningStill applies without a permitInfo

The City states that accessory structures need to comply with the applicable zoning by-law even when a building permit is not required.

Official sourceCity of BurlingtonSheds and Accessory Structures · Permit triggers, zoning and submission requirements
Verified2026-10-01Open proof
Pre-building approvalApplies to residential accessory structuresInfo

Burlington’s pre-building process reviews zoning and related City requirements for residential accessory-structure projects.

Official sourceCity of BurlingtonPre-Building Approval Application · Residential pre-building approval process
Verified2026-10-01Open proof

Your preparation checklist

Your preparation progress

0 of 4 ready

Your progress is saved in this browser. Come back whenever you’re ready.

Preparation checklist · Reviewed 2026-10-01

Open the focused permit checklist

Fees and timing

TimelineConfirm the current municipal review stage after the application is accepted as complete.
FeesConfirm the current Burlington building permit fee schedule before filing.

Next steps

  1. Measure gross floor area and number of storeys
  2. Confirm attachment and plumbing
  3. Start the Pre-Building Approval Application
  4. Submit the building permit package when a trigger applies

Same project, different city

See how this rule changes across Ontario.

Compare the source-reviewed answer for this project across every municipality BuildRules currently covers.

Compare shed / accessory structure rules by city

Better decisions, together

Get everyone on the same page.

Send this to your designer or contractor before agreeing on the scope.

Keep exploring

Your next useful question.

A connected project guide or a practical next step, picked for this topic.

All project guides
Related project

Do you need a permit for a deck in Burlington?

Burlington uses a Pre-Building Approval Application for residential deck projects to review zoning and related City requirements alongside the permit path.

1 min read
Related project

Do you need a permit for a detached garage or carport in Burlington?

When a building permit is needed, Burlington’s accessory-structure route includes Pre-Building Approval, permit forms and construction drawings.

1 min read