# Gov Handbook: Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada

> 24 answers about local government in Burnaby. Hub page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/ · All answers as JSON: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/index.json · Full text: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/llms-full.txt

## Building, renovating and your property

- [Burnaby building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/building-permit.md): In Burnaby you need a City building permit to build, enlarge, alter, remove or demolish a building or structure, including accessory buildings. Minor work such as painting or replacing flooring, fences, and accessory buildings under 10 m² that create no hazard do not need one. Apply online through My Permits Portal.
- [Burnaby fence rules: permits and height limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/fence-rules.md): In Burnaby a fence does not need a building permit but must meet the Zoning Bylaw 2026. The limit is 1.07 m in a required front yard and, behind it, 1.8 m in residential, commercial and park districts. Retaining walls over 1.2 m need a building permit.
- [Burnaby permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/deck-shed-garage-permit.md): In Burnaby, a shed or other accessory building under 10 m² that creates no hazard does not need a building permit. Larger accessory buildings, garages, carports and decks generally do, and zoning rules still apply. Call the Building Department if unsure.
- [Burnaby building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/building-permit-fees.md): 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.
- [Burnaby zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/zoning-lookup.md): Search your address on the City of Burnaby's online Official Zoning Map or on BurnabyMap to see your zoning, then read that district in Burnaby Zoning Bylaw 2026 for permitted uses, height and setbacks. Planning can help at 604-294-7944 or planning@burnaby.ca.
- [Burnaby secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/secondary-suite.md): Yes. Burnaby's Zoning Bylaw 2026 allows a secondary suite inside a primary dwelling in small-scale multi-unit housing (R1), rowhouses and townhouses, listed in the R1, R2 and A1 districts. Not in apartments or up-and-down duplexes. You need a building permit and inspections.
- [Burnaby tree removal rules and permits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/tree-removal.md): In Burnaby, usually yes for a large tree. A City tree cutting permit is required to cut a protected tree: with no development application, a conifer 30.5 cm (12 in.) or wider or a broadleaf tree 45.7 cm (18 in.) or wider. The fee is $97 per tree, and replacement trees are normally required.

## Garbage, recycling and waste

- [Burnaby garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/garbage-collection.md): The City of Burnaby collects garbage from houses and duplexes every other week; recycling and green bin (food scraps and yard waste) are weekly. Find your day in the City's collection calendar or app. Carts go out by 7 a.m. on collection day and come back in by 8 p.m.
- [Burnaby yard waste collection and drop-off](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/yard-waste.md): In Burnaby, put grass, weeds, plants, flowers and branches up to 4 inches thick in your green bin for weekly City collection. Extra can go to the Burnaby Eco-Centre, 4855 Still Creek Drive: free for residents up to 100 kg per load, one load a day.

## Water, sewer, roads and snow

- [Burnaby watering restrictions](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/water-restrictions.md): Yes. In Burnaby, Stage 1 watering restrictions apply every year from May 1 to October 15 unless the Greater Vancouver Water District Commissioner declares a higher stage. In Stage 1, residential lawns may be watered one morning a week: Saturday for even-numbered addresses, Sunday for odd.

## Pets, animals and wildlife

- [Burnaby dog licences: fees and how to get one](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/dog-licence.md): Every dog over four months old in Burnaby needs a City of Burnaby licence each year. For a spayed or neutered dog the fee is $36 if paid by March 1 and $49 after; for a dog that is not, $70 by March 1 and $84 after. Apply or renew online on My Property Portal, or by mail.
- [Burnaby dog leash rules and off-leash areas](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/dog-leash-rules.md): In Burnaby, a dog must be on a leash no longer than 2 m on streets and in public places, except in the City's designated off-leash areas in 11 parks. Dogs in those areas need a valid licence and vaccinations, and the limit is 2 dogs per person.
- [Burnaby rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/dangerous-dogs.md): Burnaby's Animal Control Bylaw has one category, "vicious dog": a dog that has bitten or injured a person or domestic animal without provocation, or a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier or pit bull type dog. Vicious dogs must be muzzled in public and securely confined at home.
- [How many dogs or cats you can keep in Burnaby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/how-many-pets.md): In Burnaby, a dwelling unit (including its lot) may have no more than 3 dogs and no more than 4 cats over four months old, under the City of Burnaby's Animal Control Bylaw. Three or more dogs can also count as a kennel under a separate bylaw, so confirm with Licensing.
- [Burnaby backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/backyard-chickens.md): Burnaby's Zoning Bylaw 2026 allows 2 to 4 hens, or up to two beehives, as a home use only on an R1 District lot at least 15 m wide and 560 m², with one house and no secondary suite. Roosters are banned. The sources read do not state a permit or fee.

## Parking, tickets and driving

- [Burnaby RV, boat and trailer parking rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/rv-boat-trailer-parking.md): On Burnaby streets, a trailer, mobile home, detached camper or vehicle over 8,000 pounds may not park more than two hours between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m., and no vehicle may stay in one place over 24 hours. On your own lot, Zoning Bylaw 2026 limits where boats, RVs and trailers go.

## Bylaws, noise and complaints

- [Burnaby noise bylaw: quiet hours, construction hours and fines](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/noise-rules.md): Burnaby's Noise or Sound Abatement Bylaw sets no single set of quiet hours, but its limits change at 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. Continuous residential noise may not exceed 55 dBA from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. or 45 dBA from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Report noise to Licensing at 604-294-7320.
- [Burnaby unsightly property rules and how to report](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/unsightly-property.md): Report an unsightly or overgrown property in Burnaby to the City's Licensing office at 604-294-7320 or licence@burnaby.ca. Under the Unsightly Premises Bylaw 2024, grass or weeds over 15 cm, rubbish and derelict vehicles are banned. A bylaw notice is $500 ($400 if paid within 15 days).
- [Burnaby backyard fire and burning rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/backyard-fire.md): Not without a permit. Under the City of Burnaby's Fire Services Bylaw, no one may light a fire in the open air, or in a portable incinerator or outdoor fireplace, without a permit from the Fire Chief. The City's permit page lists a $114 one-time special event fire permit.
- [Burnaby fireworks rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/fireworks.md): In the City of Burnaby, fireworks may not be set off except on October 31, unless the Fire Chief issues a permit. A person 18 or older may set off low-hazard fireworks on private property with the owner's consent. Firecrackers are banned, and selling fireworks is not allowed.
- [Burnaby bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/bylaw-fines.md): Burnaby issues bylaw notices, not municipal tickets. Schedule A of the Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw lists each offence with a penalty and a lower amount if paid within 15 days, for example $100 for an unlicensed dog, $200 for noise disturbing others and $500 for unsightly property.

## Starting and running a business

- [Burnaby business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/business-licence.md): Yes. Every business carried on in Burnaby needs a City of Burnaby business licence (or an inter-municipal licence), including home-based businesses, non-profits, rented houses and short-term rentals. Email the application to licence@burnaby.ca or apply online through a My Property account.
- [Burnaby home-based business rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/home-based-business.md): Yes. In Burnaby a home occupation is allowed in the R1 to R8 districts (and P2 and A1) if it meets the zoning rules, and every home-based business needs a business licence. The initial fee is $422, plus a $55 application fee. Renewal is $145, or $89 for craft.

## Housing and renting

- [Burnaby short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/short-term-rental.md): Yes, but only in the registered owner's principal residence. Burnaby requires a short-term rental business licence ($278 a year plus a $55 application fee) and limits rentals to 90 nights a year, no more than 28 of them with the owner away. The Province also requires registration.

## Zoning

- [All 15 zones in Burnaby, as JSON](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/zoning/index.json)
- Zone of an address: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/zoning/lookup?address=123+Main+St