New residential zoning rules in Burlington are now officially in effect following the close of an appeal period on March 25, 2026. With no appeals filed, the city is moving forward with updated regulations that allow for up to four residential units on a single lot as-of-right, a move intended to help increase the local housing supply.
The changes were adopted by Burlington City Council on March 2, 2026, through two new bylaws: Bylaw 09-2026 for general residential areas and Bylaw 10-2026 for properties located near railways. These updates replace the previous Zoning By-law 2020. The new framework is part of a larger $21 million agreement with the federal government through the Housing Accelerator Fund, which sets a goal for the city to permit 2,724 new residential units by the end of 2026.
During the 20-day appeal window that followed the council vote, the city had paused the issuance of zoning clearance certificates and advised property owners to hold off on new applications. With that period now concluded, the city’s planning department has resumed normal processing. Residents and developers with pending minor variance or consent applications will now have their projects reviewed under these updated rules.
The Committee of Adjustment is set to hold its next meeting on April 8, 2026, at 5:30 p.m., where it will begin reviewing files under the new regulations. The updated zoning rules were developed following extensive public consultation, including two statutory public meetings held in October 2025 and February 2026, which saw input from dozens of residents and stakeholders.
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward has championed the move to allow four units as-of-right, noting that the city chose to exceed the provincial requirement of three units. According to the Mayor, the decision was made both to secure federal funding and because the change represents sound planning to address the need for more affordable housing options in the community.
For more information on the updated rules, residents can visit the New Zoning Bylaw Project page on the city website.
