Burlington turf jobs split two ways. Lakeshore and Aldershot lots on sandy soil want turf because grass burns out by July. North Burlington subdivisions on clay want it because the backyard is a swamp until June. Both work, with different bases. And because Burlington rewrote its residential zoning in 2026, front yards now come with a clear rule on turf.
2026 artificial turf prices in Burlington
| Turf grade | Installed per sq ft (2026) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $10 - $14 | Side yards, rentals, low traffic |
| Mid-grade, looks like grass | $14 - $20 | Most front and back lawns |
| Pet-rated | $15 - $22 | Dog runs and full pet yards |
| Premium or putting green | $20 - $28 | Showpiece yards, putting greens |
Those figures are installed, with the old lawn hauled away, geotextile, compacted limestone screenings, edging, turf, infill and seams. Burlington's newer subdivisions have tight side yards, so a job where every load has to go through a 4 foot gate costs more than one with open driveway access. Price per foot also drops as the area grows. Aluminum edging runs $6 to $12 a linear foot, and cork infill for a sunny yard adds $1.50 to $3.00 per sq ft.
Front yard turf and Burlington zoning
Burlington's Residential Zoning By-law 09-2026 defines hard landscaped open space as areas surfaced with pavers, patio stones, concrete, gravel, stonework or artificial turf. Soft landscaped open space is the planted part: trees, shrubs, flower beds and grass. The Part 7 zone tables then set a minimum front yard soft landscaped open space for detached houses:
- 30% in the LN1 to LN4 zones
- 40% in LN5
- 50% in LN6
Turf does not count toward that minimum. On a typical lot with a double driveway, turfing the rest of the front lawn can leave too little soft landscaping. We check your zone before quoting front yard turf, and usually suggest turf in the back and real planting beds out front. The by-law is new, so confirm your zone with the City if anything is unclear.
Base and drainage on Burlington soils
Lakeshore, Aldershot and Shoreacres soils drain fast, so a standard 4 inch dig with 3 to 4 inches of compacted screenings is enough. Below the escarpment in Headon Forest, Millcroft, Orchard and Alton, the clay holds water, so we go deeper and grade 1 to 2% toward the lot's swale. Burlington's site alteration screening form asks whether grades change within 0.5 m of a property line, so we keep turf jobs at the existing grade along fences and do not raise the yard against a neighbour. If the lot already floods, sort the drainage first with our Burlington yard drainage page.
Summer heat
Burlington has no long-term Environment Canada station; Environment Canada's climate normals for Hamilton airport average a July high of 26.5 C with about 11 days a year above 30 C, and Pearson averages 27.1 C with about 16. Turf in full sun runs much hotter than grass on those days. A lighter blade, cooling infill and some shade from a tree or pergola help, and low-E windows that reflect sun onto the turf should be dealt with before install.
We request a free utility locate through Ontario Dig Authority at least 5 business days before digging.
Where we install turf in Burlington
Aldershot, the lakeshore, Roseland, Shoreacres, Tyandaga, Brant Hills, Headon Forest, Millcroft, Orchard, Alton, Kilbride and Mt Nemo.
Frequently asked questions
How much does artificial turf cost in Burlington?
About $10 to $14 per sq ft installed for budget turf, $14 to $20 for mid-grade and $20 to $28 for premium in 2026.
How much is 500 sq ft of turf in Burlington?
About $7,000 to $10,000 for mid-grade turf installed with a full base, less with budget turf and good access.
Can I put artificial turf in my front yard in Burlington?
Some of it. Zoning By-law 09-2026 counts turf as hard landscaping, and detached homes need 30% to 50% of the front yard as soft landscaping depending on the zone.
Is artificial turf hard or soft landscaping in Burlington?
Hard. The by-law lists artificial turf with pavers, concrete and gravel as hard landscaped open space.
Will artificial turf flood my Burlington yard?
Not if the base is built right. Turf drains through its backing into the screenings base, which must be graded toward the lot's swale.
How long does artificial turf last?
15 to 25 years on a properly compacted screenings base, with an infill top-up every 3 to 5 years.