From Pipeline to Permit: Burlington's Plan to Enable 29K Units in Complete Communities by 2031
Welcome to the Pipeline to Permit webpage that will be updated periodically when new details and information emerge related to the City of Burlington's plan to enable 29,000 housing units in complete communities by 2031.Burlington and Council have accepted the Province’s 29,000 home pledge for our city. We have approximately 40,700 units in our development planning pipeline and have a plan to accommodate our future growth within our urban boundary and existing official plan. We will continue to see that through, working in partnership with upper levels of government, builders and our community.Burlington is designing and delivering complete communities in our city that:
- are safe, inclusive, diverse and connected;
- environmentally-sustainable;
- have housing choice and affordability;
- offer services, shops, community amenities, jobs and parks within walking distance; and
- are easy to get around with multiple transportation options.
Burlington City Council also unanimously endorsed a new Pipeline to Permit Housing Standing Committee and Terms of Reference to help the City streamline process, by identifying and addressing gaps and opportunities, and do our part in seeing more shovels in the ground for housing, including affordable and attainable housing. This committee will also help with monthly tracking and identifying funding opportunities with upper levels of government.Updates tracking our city's progress to reaching our goals will be provided further down this post.
FROM PIPELINE TO PERMIT PROGRESS:As of July 11, 2024 -- Pipeline to Permit & Dwelling Units -- July 11, 2024 UpdateThe City of Burlington has launched a new Pipeline to Permit data tool available to the public where you can track developments via the digital dashboard by location, type, and where in the process it is -- just to name a few ways! Learn more at burlington.ca/pipelinetopermit and look for the "Pipeline to Permit Self-Serve Dashboard." There are desktop and mobile versions of the dashboard.
An action plan for how we're going to meet our target of 29,000 units by 2031 was also presented at the July 11 Pipeline to Permit Committee meeting. To learn more about the housing target action plan, click/tap the link. [gallery columns="2" ids="36255,36254"]
| APPLICATION STATUS | # OF UNITS | PERCENTAGE | SINCE JUNE | YEAR TO DATE |
| Pre-Application | 23,006 units | 50.24% | +0.8% | +14.9% |
| Under Review | 7,116 units | 15.54% | -21% | -11.8% |
| Appealed to Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) | 2,811 units | 6.14% | -7.5% | -42.8% |
| Waiting for Site Plan Application | 6,664 units | 14.55% | +26.2% | +53% |
| Planning Approval | 6,192 units | 13.52% | +14% | +48.5% |
| Total Number of Housing Units in Pipeline | 45,789 units |
Legend:
- Pre-Application -- are developer consultations with the City prior to making a planning application
- Under Review -- are planning applications received by the City for consideration
- Appealed to OLT -- are developments that are pending a land use planning decision from the Ontario Land Tribunal
- Waiting for Site Plan Application -- are developments that have receiving zoning approval but have not yet applied for site plan approval
- Planning Approval -- are development applications that have received all planning approvals from the City and are ready for a building permit
Dwelling Units Approved: Pipeline to Permit & Dwelling Units -- July 11, 2024 Update
| Number of Units | Year |
| 543 units | 2021 |
| 197 units | 2022 |
| 649 units | 2023 |
| 1,122 units (*to date - includes accessory structures & others, apartments, and single detached dwellings) | 2024 |
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As of June 13, 2024 -- Pipeline to Permit -- June 13, 2024 Update / Pipeline to Permit Graphs -- Dwelling Units -- June 13, 2024 Update[gallery columns="2" ids="36064,36065"]
| APPLICATION STATUS | # OF UNITS | PERCENTAGE |
| Pre-Application | 22,808 units | 50.2% |
| Under Review | 9,046 units | 19.84% |
| Appealed to Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) | 3,039 units | 6.66% |
| Waiting for Site Plan Application | 5,279 units | 11.58% |
| Planning Approval | 5,427 units | 11.90% |
| Total Number of Housing Units in Pipeline | 45,599 units |
Legend:
- Pre-Application -- are developer consultations with the City prior to making a planning application
- Under Review -- are planning applications received by the City for consideration
- Appealed to OLT -- are developments that are pending a land use planning decision from the Ontario Land Tribunal
- Waiting for Site Plan Application -- are developments that have receiving zoning approval but have not yet applied for site plan approval
- Planning Approval -- are development applications that have received all planning approvals from the City and are ready for a building permit
Dwelling Units Approved: Pipeline to Permit Graphs -- Dwelling Units -- June 13, 2024 Update
| Number of Units | Year |
| 543 units | 2021 |
| 197 units | 2022 |
| 649 units | 2023 |
| 1,116 units (*to date - includes accessory structures & others, apartments, and single detached dwellings) | 2024 |
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As of May 16 2024 -- Pipeline to Permit Chart -- May 7, 2024 Update / Pipeline to Permit Graphs -- Dwelling Units -- May 6, 2024 Update[gallery columns="2" ids="35777,35778"]
| APPLICATION STATUS | # OF UNITS | PERCENTAGE |
| Pre-Application | 22,848 units | 50.7% |
| Under Review | 8,614 units | 19.11% |
| Appealed to Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) | 3,039 units | 6.74% |
| Waiting for Site Plan Application | 5,138 units | 11.4% |
| Planning Approval | 5,427 units | 12.04% |
| Total Number of Housing Units in Pipeline | 45,066 units |
Legend:
- Pre-Application -- are developer consultations with the City prior to making a planning application
- Under Review -- are planning applications received by the City for consideration
- Appealed to OLT -- are developments that are pending a land use planning decision from the Ontario Land Tribunal
- Waiting for Site Plan Application -- are developments that have receiving zoning approval but have not yet applied for site plan approval
- Planning Approval -- are development applications that have received all planning approvals from the City and are ready for a building permit
Dwelling Units Approved: Pipeline to Permit Graphs -- Dwelling Units -- May 6, 2024 Update
| Number of Units | Year |
| 543 units | 2021 |
| 197 units | 2022 |
| 649 units | 2023 |
| 1,105 units (*to date - includes accessory structures & others, apartments, and single detached dwellings) | 2024 |
• • •
As of April 4 2024 -- Pipeline to Permit Chart -- April 4, 2024 Update / Pipeline to Permit Graphs -- Dwelling Units -- April 4, 2024 Update / Pipeline to Permit -- Permits Issued -- April 4, 2024 Update[gallery ids="35429,35428,35430"]
| APPLICATION STATUS | # OF UNITS | PERCENTAGE |
| Pre-Application | 23,308 units | 52.01% |
| Under Review | 8,164 units | 18.22% |
| Appealed to Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) | 3,395 units | 7.58% |
| Waiting for Site Plan Application | 4,844 units | 10.81% |
| Planning Approval | 5,101 units | 11.38% |
| Total Number of Housing Units in Pipeline | 44,812 units |
Legend:
- Pre-Application -- are developer consultations with the City prior to making a planning application
- Under Review -- are planning applications received by the City for consideration
- Appealed to OLT -- are developments that are pending a land use planning decision from the Ontario Land Tribunal
- Waiting for Site Plan Application -- are developments that have receiving zoning approval but have not yet applied for site plan approval
- Planning Approval -- are development applications that have received all planning approvals from the City and are ready for a building permit
Dwelling Units Approved: Pipeline to Permit Graphs -- Dwelling Units -- April 4, 2024 Update
| Number of Units | Year |
| 543 units | 2021 |
| 197 units | 2022 |
| 649 units | 2023 |
| 333 units (*to date - includes accessory structures & others, apartments, and single detached dwellings) | 2024 |
Permits Issued Residential: Pipeline to Permit -- Permits Issued -- April 4, 2024 Update
| Number of Permits | Year |
| 812 permits | 2021 |
| 859 permits | 2022 |
| 1021 permits | 2023 |
| 211 permits (*to date - includes townhouses, single detached dwellings, apartments, and accessory structures & others) | 2024 |
• • •
As of March 7 2024 -- Pipeline to Permit Chart -- Feb. 27, 2024 Update / Pipeline to Permit Graphs -- Permits Issued -- Feb. 27, 2024 Update[gallery columns="2" ids="35108,35109"]
| APPLICATION STATUS | # OF UNITS | PERCENTAGE |
| Pre-Application | 23,273 units | 51.57% |
| Under Review | 8,063 units | 17.87% |
| Appealed to Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) | 3,395 units | 7.52% |
| Waiting for Site Plan Application | 4,971 units | 11.02% |
| Planning Approval | 5,424 units | 12.02% |
| Total Number of Housing Units in Pipeline | 45,126 units |
Legend:
- Pre-Application -- are developer consultations with the City prior to making a planning application
- Under Review -- are planning applications received by the City for consideration
- Appealed to OLT -- are developments that are pending a land use planning decision from the Ontario Land Tribunal
- Waiting for Site Plan Application -- are developments that have receiving zoning approval but have not yet applied for site plan approval
- Planning Approval -- are development applications that have received all planning approvals from the City and are ready for a building permit
Dwelling Units Created:
| Number of Units | Year |
| 543 units | 2021 |
| 197 units | 2022 |
| 649 units | 2023 |
| 165 units (*to date) | 2024 |
Permits Issued Residential:
| Number of Permits | Year |
| 812 permits | 2021 |
| 859 permits | 2022 |
| 1021 permits | 2023 |
| 102 permits (*to date) | 2024 |
• • •
As of February 2024
- Feb. 8, 2024 -- Burlington launches Pipeline to Permit (P2P) housing standing committee with inaugural meeting
- Pipeline to Permit Chart_February 2024 Update
| APPLICATION STATUS | # OF UNITS | PERCENTAGE |
| Pre-Application | 20,015 units | 48.1% |
| Under Review | 8,068 units | 19.39% |
| Appealed to Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) | 4,918 units | 11.82% |
| Waiting for Site Plan Application | 4,355 units | 10.47% |
| Approved | 4,256 units | 10.23% |
| Total Number of Housing Units in Pipeline | 41,612 units |
Legend:
- Pre-Application -- are developer consultations with the City prior to making a planning application
- Under Review -- are planning applications received by the City for consideration
- Appealed to OLT -- are developments that are pending a land use planning decision from the Ontario Land Tribunal
- Waiting for Site Plan Application -- are developments that have receiving zoning approval but have not yet applied for site plan approval
- Approved -- are development applications that have received all planning approvals from the City and are ready for a building permit
• • •
As of November 2023
- Nov. 2, 2023 -- Burlington City Council unanimously approves Pipeline to Permit Housing Standing Committee Terms of Reference
- City Manager's Report: CM-15-23 Pipeline to Permit Committee Terms of Reference.pdf
- Appendix - Terms of Reference: CM-15-23 - Appendix A - Pipeline to Permit Committee TOR.pdf
- The following members of Council have been appointed to the committee for a two-year term, ending Nov. 30, 2025:
- Councillor Shawna Stolte (Deputy Mayor for Housing);
- Councillor Kelvin Galbraith (Deputy Mayor for Business and Red Tape Reduction); and
- Councillor Paul Sharman (Deputy Mayor for Strategy, Budgets, Policy & Procedure).
- Councillor Stolte has also been appointed the second Co-Chair (along Mayor Meed Ward) to committee.
• • •
As of October 2023 -- Pipeline to Permit Chart_October 2023 Update[gallery columns="2" ids="33994,33995"]
| APPLICATION STATUS | # OF UNITS | PERCENTAGE |
| Appealed to Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) | 7,570 units | 18.56% |
| Waiting for Site Plan Application | 2,770 units | 6.79% |
| Approved | 3,940 units | 9.66% |
| Under Review | 7,972 units | 19.54% |
| Pre-Application | 18,541 units | 45.45% |
| Total Number of Housing Units in Pipeline | 40,793 units |
Legend:
- Appealed to OLT -- are developments that are pending a land use planning decision from the Ontario Land Tribunal
- Waiting for Site Plan Application -- are developments that have receiving zoning approval but have not yet applied for site plan approval
- Approved -- are development applications that have received all planning approvals from the City and are ready for a building permit
- Under Review -- are planning applications received by the City for consideration
- Pre-Application -- are developer consultations with the City prior to making a planning application
Dwelling Units Created:
| Number of Units | Year |
| 543 units | 2021 |
| 197 units | 2022 |
| 587 units | 2023 |
Permits Issued Residential:
| Number of Permits | Year |
| 812 permits | 2021 |
| 859 permits | 2022 |
| 825 permits | 2023 |
• • •
BACKGROUND:On Aug. 21, 2023, the Province announced the Building Faster Fund, a new three-year, $1.2 billion program that will provide up to $400 million per year to municipalities that meet or exceed their annual housing targets.In 2023, the Province aims to see 110,000 new housing starts, increasing to 125,000 in 2024, and 150,000 in 2025 -- and 175,000 per year in each subsequent year after that.Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Hon. Paul Calandra, has informed all heads of council in Ontario where their housing targets need to be to qualify for this funding.For the City of Burlington, this means 2,127 units housing starts for 2023, 2,417 units for 2024, and 2,900 units for 2025.Ontario's Big City Mayors have written to Minister Calandra asking him to allow municipalities to qualify for a piece of the fund based on how many building permits they issue, rather than on housing starts. There are tens of thousands of units that have been approved by municipalities but developers haven't started construction because of high interest rates, supply chain issues or labour shortages. As a result, municipalities will potentially be penalized for something that is completely out of their control.Municipalities should be judged on what they actually do -- and that is approve housing permits. OBCM has asked the Ministry to look at why developers aren't pulling permits, because there may be a role for the Province and even the Federal government in addressing that.Minister Calandra's office has said it would review OBCM's request, and in late 2023 announced it would not be changing the criteria. However, Premier Doug Ford announced on Jan. 23 at the 2024 Rural Ontario Municipalities Association Conference that any funding unspent through the Building Faster Fund would go to a different fund that all municipalities would be able to access.
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