---
title: Burnaby building permit fees
question: "How much does a building permit cost?"
place: Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/burnaby
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Burnaby
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/building-permit-fees/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/building-permit-fees.json"
---

# Burnaby building permit fees

**Question:** How much does a building permit cost?

**Short answer:** A City of Burnaby building permit fee depends on the value of construction: $78 up to $1,000, then $23 per $1,000 up to $20,000, $15.60 per $1,000 up to $200,000 and $13.70 per $1,000 above that. An application fee of 20% of the permit fee is paid first and credited toward it.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Burnaby, https://www.burnaby.ca)  
**Cost:** Fees effective January 1, 2026. Application fee 20% of the estimated permit fee (minimum $78, maximum $8,619). Permit fee $78 up to $1,000; $78 plus $23 per $1,000 (or part) over $1,000 to $20,000; $515 plus $15.60 per $1,000 over $20,000 to $200,000; $3,323 plus $13.70 per $1,000 over $200,000.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Building Department, 604-294-7130
- Email: Building permits, permits@burnaby.ca

## Key facts

- **Lowest fee:** $78 for construction valued at $0 to $1,000. The application fee (20% of the permit fee, at least $78) is paid first and credited toward the permit fee.
  - Source: [Burnaby Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw 14485, Schedule E2 Building Bylaw, Schedule E2 - Building Bylaw, s. 14(1)](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/14485CC.pdf)
  - Official wording: "o $0 to $1000 $78.00" … "o Minimum $78.00"
  - Source: [Building Bylaw 2016, No. 13658 (consolidated PDF), s. 14(4)](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/13658CC.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The application fee shall be credited against the permit fee when the permit is issued."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How the fee is worked out:** Based on value of construction: up to $1,000, $78. $1,001 to $20,000: $78 plus $23 per $1,000 (or part) over $1,000. $20,001 to $200,000: $515 plus $15.60 per $1,000 over $20,000. Over $200,000: $3,323 plus $13.70 per $1,000 over $200,000.
  - Source: [Burnaby Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw 14485, Schedule E2 Building Bylaw, Schedule E2 - Building Bylaw, s. 14(1)](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/14485CC.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Building permit Section 14(1) Based on value of construction" … "o $1001 to $20,000 (plus $ per $1,000 or part thereof over $1,000) $23.00" … "o $20,001 to $200,000 (base fee) $515.00" … "o $20,001 to $200,000 (plus $ per $1,000 or part thereof over $20,000) $15.60" … "o $200,001 and over (base fee) $3,323.00" … "o $200,001 and over (plus $ per $1,000 or part thereof over $200,000) $13.70"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Application or plan review fee:** 20% of the estimated building permit fee, minimum $78 and maximum $8,619, paid with the application and credited against the permit fee when issued. No refund of any part once plan checking has started.
  - Source: [Burnaby Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw 14485, Schedule E2 Building Bylaw, Schedule E2 - Building Bylaw, s. 9(2)(b)](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/14485CC.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Application for a Building Permit Section 9(2)(b) - 20% of estimated Building Permit Fee for all building permit applications" … "o Maximum $8,619.00" … "There will be no refund of any portion of the application fee once plan checking has started."
  - Source: [Building Bylaw 2016, No. 13658 (consolidated PDF), s. 9(2)(b) and 14(4)](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/13658CC.pdf)
  - Official wording: "be accompanied by the fee for a permit application specified in the Burnaby" … "The application fee shall be credited against the permit fee when the permit is issued."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Other fees:** Demolition of a single or two-family home $383. Re-inspection $72 (1st), $314, $620, $1,240, then $1,553. Plumbing $121 first fixture, $67 each additional. Damage deposit $8,177 for house construction, addition or demolition ($5,634 garage or carport). Permit fee doubled if work starts before the permit.
  - Source: [Burnaby Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw 14485, Schedule E2 Building Bylaw, Schedule E2, E8 and s. 14](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/14485CC.pdf)
  - Official wording: "o Single-family or two-family home (fee includes accessory" … "$383.00" … "o 1st re-inspection $72.00" … "o 2nd re-inspection $314.00" … "o 3rd re-inspection $620.00" … "o 4th re-inspection $1,240.00" … "o 5th re-inspection and each re-inspection thereafter $1,553.00" … "o for first fixture $121.00" … "o for each additional fixture $67.00" … "o Single or two family dwelling construction $8,177.00" … "o Construction of carport or garage $5,634.00"
  - Source: [Building Bylaw 2016, No. 13658 (consolidated PDF), s. 14(2)](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/13658CC.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The permit fee shall be doubled for every permit application where construction has started before the permit is issued."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to pay:** The application fee is paid with the application. The permit fee is paid in full before the permit is issued; permits are issued digitally only once all fees are paid.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw 2016, No. 13658 (consolidated PDF), s. 14(1) and 9(2)(b)](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/13658CC.pdf)
  - Official wording: "shall be paid in full upon issuance of any permit under this Bylaw."
  - Source: [General Building Information, General Building Information page, "Digital Permit Issuance"](https://www.burnaby.ca/services-and-payments/development-permits-construction/general-building-information)
  - Official wording: "Building Permits are issued digitally once:" … "all applicable fees have been paid in full."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Building Bylaw 2016 (No. 13658), s. 14; fees are set in the Burnaby Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw (No. 14485), Schedule E2 - Building Bylaw
  - Source: [Building Bylaw 2016, No. 13658 (consolidated PDF), s. 14(1)](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/13658CC.pdf)
  - Official wording: "a permit fee, calculated in accordance with the Burnaby Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw"
  - Source: [Burnaby Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw 14485, Schedule E2 Building Bylaw](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/14485CC.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Burnaby Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw Bylaw No. 14485" … "SCHEDULE E2 - BUILDING BYLAW"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under the [Building Bylaw](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/13658CC.pdf), fees are set in Schedule E2 of the [Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw (No. 14485)](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/14485CC.pdf). The permit fee is based on the value of construction. You also pay an application fee with your application: 20% of the estimated permit fee, at least $78 and at most $8,619. It is credited against the permit fee when the permit is issued.

## Steps

1. Estimate the value of construction.
2. Find the permit fee from the scale above ($1,000 or part of $1,000 counts as a full $1,000).
3. Pay the application fee with your application.
4. Pay the rest of the permit fee in full before the permit is issued. Permits are issued digitally only once all fees are paid.

## Good to know

- Application fee refund: none of it is refunded once plan checking has started. Before then, 70% is refundable, with at least $197 kept.
- Demolition of a single or two-family home is $383. Demolition of an accessory building is $90 and of other principal buildings $958.
- Damage deposit: $8,177 for house construction, addition or demolition, and $5,634 for a garage or carport. The inspection fee on permits with a damage deposit is $229.
- Re-inspections cost $72 for the first, then $314, $620, $1,240 and $1,553.
- Permit extensions cost $251 to $626. A permit transfer is $146. A temporary building is $673 a year.
- Plumbing is $121 for the first fixture and $67 for each additional one.
- The permit fee is doubled if work starts before the permit is issued.
- A demolition waste diversion deposit of $2.25 per net sq. ft. applies, to a maximum of $50,000.
- Some fees may have taxes added. The City's fee PDF shows a different inspection fee ($220) than the bylaw; confirm with the Building Department.

## Official forms and pages

- [2026 Schedule of Building Permit and Inspection Fees (PDF)](https://www.burnaby.ca/sites/default/files/acquiadam/2021-12/Building-Permit-and-Inspection-Fees.pdf)
- [Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw 14485 (PDF)](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/14485CC.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Burnaby building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/building-permit.md)
- [Burnaby tree removal rules and permits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/tree-removal.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Building permit fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/building-permit-fees.md)
- [New Westminster](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Richmond](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/richmond/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Port Moody](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Belcarra](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vancouver/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/building-permit-fees.md)

## Sources

- [Burnaby Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw 14485 (PDF), Schedule E2 Building Bylaw](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/14485CC.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Building Bylaw 2016, No. 13658 (consolidated PDF), City of Burnaby](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/13658CC.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [2026 Schedule of Building Permit and Inspection Fees (PDF), City of Burnaby](https://www.burnaby.ca/sites/default/files/acquiadam/2021-12/Building-Permit-and-Inspection-Fees.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [General Building Information, City of Burnaby](https://www.burnaby.ca/services-and-payments/development-permits-construction/general-building-information) (read 2026-11-05)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of Burnaby. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/building-permit-fees/_