Permitting and Inspections
As of Monday, May 3, 2021 the City of Burlington transitioned to a new permit system: OpenGov
This new permit system is part of the city's permit reform efforts and enables online applications for all permits administered by the Department of Permitting & Inspections. Paper applications and payments are no longer necessary. Short form applications for simple projects including decks, windows, roofing, siding, fences, and repairs are available. For other projects, a more comprehensive construction and zoning application form is available. First time users need to create an account to log in and use the system.
The Dept. of Permitting & Inspections is open to the public Monday - Friday from 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM.
As of March 3, 2022, face masks are no longer required . Please do not enter the buiding if you are sick. Staff contact info is noted on the Personnel Page
Rental Housing
Billing and collecting rental unit registration fees, inspecting rental housing units, enforcing minimum housing standards, issuing certificates of compliance to landlords, and funding tenant and landlord advocacy services
Construction Permits
Trades administration, including issuance of construction permits (building, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical) and related certificates of occupancy.
Zoning Administration
Zoning permits, certificates of occupancy, and zoning enforcement.
Vacant Buildings
Enforcing vacant building standards, and collecting vacant building permit fees
Board of Health
Initiating public health actions as designated deputy health officers and ensuring compliance with the pesticide ordinance
About the Department of Permitting and Inspections
The office's main responsibility is to administer and enforce the Minimum Housing Ordinance (Burlington Code of Ordinances (BCO), Chapter 18), the Zoning Ordinance (BCO, App. A), the Building Code (BCO, Chapters 8, 12, 13, 18, 21, 25, & 27), the Vacant Building Ordinance (BCO, Chapter 8, Art. 3), Health ordinances and to issue Public Health Orders (BCO Chapter 17)
The department is designated as the enforcement agency for several ordinances, including BCO sec 17-9 (Pesticide applications), BCO sec 21-5 (Signs in the greenbelt), and BCO ch. 26 (Stormwater control).
In addition, Permitting & Inspections works with: the Burlington Electric Department on residential rental housing time-of-sale inspections - see http://www.burlingtonelectric.com/time-of-sale-energy-efficiency-ordinance - (BCO 18-500); the Department of Public Works on illegal dumping of solid waste (BCO ch.s 14 & 27); the Department of Parks & Recreation on maintenance of greenbelts (City Charter, sec 211, 212); the Police Department on illegal yard parking and nuisance abatement (BCO sec 1-9, 20-55, 21-19).
Visit https://www.codepublishing.com/vt/burlington for links to the ordinances administered and enforced by the Department of Permitting & Inspections.
