Burnaby building permits
Burnaby distinguishes online residential applications from restoration and commercial tenant improvement submissions. Choose the application route before preparing your package.
By PermitWave · Sources checked . This guide helps you prepare questions; the City decides permit requirements and approval.
Application pathway
- Use Burnaby's home-improvement guidance to identify an addition, alteration or restoration application.
- Residential alterations and additions use My Permits. Burnaby's current general building guidance excludes restoration and commercial tenant improvement applications from that online route and directs them to City Hall.
- Download the relevant application checklist and coordinate any planning approval and professional schedules before submission.
- Arrange applicable trade permits and inspections. Keep the approved permit package on site in the format required by Burnaby.
Local project considerations
- Burnaby flags development and building process changes effective July 1, 2026. Check the current instructions even if you have submitted a similar project before.
- A residential restoration project should not be treated as a routine online alteration application.
- For commercial premises, confirm planning requirements and tenant-improvement submission instructions before committing to a construction start date.
Official applications, checklists and fees
Use these municipal pages for the current application route and fee information. A PermitWave review fee is separate from municipal and professional fees.
Before paying for drawings or construction
- Describe the proposed use and all work, including existing unpermitted work.
- Confirm property zoning and separate development, trade and building approvals.
- Ask which drawings, professional schedules and inspection stages apply.
- Request the applicable fee schedule and current processing guidance for your category.