Burlington Approves Revisions to Official Plan for Built Form and Additional Residential Units

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE, DENSITY, HALTON, URBAN,

Shifting focus to Low-Rise Infill Development and Context-Sensitive Intensification; Encouraging Development of Accessory Dwelling Units in the City of Burlington.

 

What is a Local Official Plan Amendment?

A Local Official Plan Amendment (OPA) is a formal change to a municipality’s Official Plan, which is a long-term policy framework for land use, growth, and development. It is typically made when there’s a need to adjust land use designations, policies, or development criteria due to changing goals, changes in Provincial and Regional planning policies, or specific development applications. The amendment process involves public consultation and reviewed by Municipal and Regional staff, and once approved by the municipal council, the changes become part of the Official Plan, guiding future development in alignment with updated policies or permitting particular developments.

Context

The current OPA was created following the results of the Official Plan Amendment to Increase Housing Options Study which began in April 2024 as part of the Burlington Official Plan’s realignment efforts and the New Zoning By-law Project. The study aims to identify tools for promoting gentle, ground-oriented intensification in Burlington’s neighborhoods, focusing on providing diverse housing options to meet the needs of residents at all income levels and life stages. It emphasizes using planning tools such as the Official Plan and Zoning By-law to support a variety of housing types within the city’s urban area. Following a City Council motion in October 2023, which approved the intent to allow four units per lot as-of-right, the project is part of the Housing Accelerator Fund initiative. A draft OPA and Zoning By-law Amendment were presented in December 2024, with public comments incorporated into the current version of the OPA.

Changes to the Burlington Official Plan (2020)

• Allows the addition of up to 3 new residential units per urban residential lot, permitting a total of 4 residential uses as-of-right.
• Replaces the current “Residential – Low Density” and “Residential – Medium Density” designations with “Low-Rise Neighborhoods I” and “Low-Rise Neighbourhoods II,” respectively, to better align with the city’s housing needs.
• Replaces the “Residential – High Density” designation with the “High-Rise Neighbourhoods” designation to better reflect the intended scale and character of development.
• Encourages ground-oriented intensification that respects and enhances the context and character of Burlington’s established neighborhoods.
• Incorporates built form as a key metric for guiding development, ensuring compatibility with existing areas.
• Facilitates the development of more low-rise, ground-oriented housing options, such as duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes, within Residential Neighbourhood Area designations.

 

Implications

• Development in Burlington will focus on low-rise infill to promote efficient land use while maintaining neighborhood character.
• Homeowners may explore the option of adding additional dwelling units to generate rental income, supporting housing diversity and affordability.
• New developments in all residential neighborhoods must carefully consider the surrounding context, including building heights, landscaping, and pedestrian-friendly streetscapes, to ensure compatibility with existing areas.

 

Outcome

The proposed Official Plan Amendment was approved by Council on January 28, 2025, as City of Burlington By-Law 03-2025. The corresponding Zoning By-Law amendment is still under review by City staff and will be addressed in a future by-law to implement the Official Plan Amendment.