The purpose of this brochure is to explain to owners and builders the minimum building permit application requirements for new single and two family dwellings.

This brochure is a guide only. It should be used in conjunction with, and not a substitute for Burnaby Building Bylaw 1973 No. 6333 - [BURNABY VIEWS], Burnaby Zoning Bylaw No. 4742 - [BURNABY VIEWS], Burnaby Tree Bylaw 1996 - [BURNABY VIEWS] ,current editions of the B.C. Building Code, Canadian Electrical Code (with B.C. amendments), and B.C. Plumbing Code. The drawings in this brochure shall not be reproduced for Building Permit Application.

With your cooperation in submitting complete applications we will be able to provide better and faster service. If the requirements set out in this brochure are not met, the application may be rejected.

Other Brochures Related to This Topic

• In-law suites
• Legal survey requirements for new single and two family dwellings
• Rock pits
• Roof truss layout
• Burnaby Tree Bylaw 1996

Appointments

Board of Variance referrals require an appointment. For appointments please call the Plan Checking section of the Building Department at 604.294.7140 or 604.294.7143. 24 hour notice of cancellation for appointments is requested so that others have the opportunity to make appointments.

On the following page is a telephone directory of City Departments to contact if you have questions relating to specific topics.

Telephone Numbers

General Information

Applicants who may require a referral letter from the Building Department to file an appeal with the Board of Variance must submit their application 2 days before the Board of Variance deadline for submission. Board of Variance appeal applications must include 2 complete sets of drawings reduced to 8 ½" x 11" (including reduced surveys) and must be submitted to the Building Department along with one set of full size drawing to scale. Further information regarding Board of Variance applications, including deadlines for submissions and meeting dates, can be obtained in the Clerk's Department.

General Requirements

Assuming the structure contains elements required to be designed under part 4 of the B.C. Building Code, the following are required:

• three sets of design drawings and two sets of structural drawings to scale, signed and sealed (for structural content only) by a B.C. Registered Professional Engineer.
• a third site plan no larger than 8 ½" x 14" is also required. Reduction in size is acceptable.
• Letters of Assurance: New single and two family dwellings constructed in Burnaby which involve more than one professional may require the services of a Coordinating Registered Professional (CRP) to coordinate the Geotechnical and Structural design and field review, including trusses. On these types of projects, the CRP is responsible for coordinating the design and field review of all the professionals involved with the project.
  For specific requirements concerning Letters of Assurance please refer to the "Letters of Assurance" brochure in the Burnaby Building Department.
• non-refundable application fee (please refer to the current fee schedule for the exact amount).
• non-refundable application fee (please refer to the current fee schedule for the exact amount)
• all plans and information submitted must be legible and of suitable quality for microfilming. Full size 2' x 3' (approximate) sheets are preferred. Single line drawings are acceptable for site plans only. All corrections and notations must be on original drawings and resubmitted. Notations should not be in red ink and drawings should not be laminated (contain taped or pasted on changes). Reversed plans and blueprints are not acceptable.
• submit drawings to the following minimum scales:

  drawing type

  site plan 1/8" = 1' - 0" (or 1/16" = 1' - 0" for larger sites)
  floor, foundation and roof plan 1/4" = 1' - 0"
  cross sections 1/4" = 1' - 0"
  construction details 1/2" = 1' - 0"
  elevations 1/4" = 1' - 0"

• drawings and surveys will be accepted in imperial measures until such time as local industry standards for residential construction are converted to metric standard.
• engineered truss layout (if applicable). For specific information regarding roof trusses, refer to the "Roof Truss Layout" Brochure which can be obtained from the Building Department.
• three posting, topographical and front yard averaging surveys, not more than six months old. For specific information regarding legal surveys, refer to the "Legal Survey Requirements for Single and Two Family Dwellings" Brochure which can be obtained from the Building Department.
• Owner’s acknowledgement of responsibility and undertaking in the form set out in "Schedule F" of the Burnaby Building Bylaw, signed by the owner(s) or a signing officer if the owner is a corporation.
• Homeowner Protection Office registration form for licenced builder prior to issuance of building permit, or Owner Builder Declaration and Disclosure Notice at time of application (for specific requirements contact Homeowner Protection Office at 604.646.7055
• two copies of a Tree Plan, refer to the Burnaby Tree Bylaw 1996 - [BURNABY VIEWS] information which can be obtained from the Building Department.
• the location of all services may be obtained from the Engineering Department (294-7460). This information should be verified on site.
• if a demolition permit is required, proof of ownership and/or owner's written authorization (form available at Building Department counter) is required.
• if the lot was created through subdivision, a copy of proof of registration of subdivision from the Land Titles Office must be provided when making application.
• provide a copy of restrictive covenants if applicable.

Specific Requirements

1. Site Plan
(see sample drawing no. 1)
scale: 1/8" = 1' - 0" or 1/16" = 1' - 0"

Requirements for site plans are as follows

• north arrow
• overall building dimensions of both principal building and accessory buildings (length and width from posts/building face/floor joist projection to opposite posts/building face/floor joist projection)
• distance of all building setbacks measured perpendicular to the property lines (front, rear, and side yards setbacks)
• distance between principal building and any accessory buildings
• existing and finished grades at all corners of principle and accessory buildings, and property corners. Also, location of all retaining walls on property, with top and bottom of wall elevations indicated
• cellar/basement floor slab elevation
• overall building height elevation
• site dimensions as per Posting Survey.

Location of the following must also be shown on the site plan

• street names and lane(s)
• driveway(s) and crossing(s) including width and distance from property line(s). For more information, a "Residential parking areas and driveways" Building Information Brochure can be obtained from this department.
• easements, right-of-ways, water courses, and areas restricted by covenant. Length and height of aerial trespass if applicable shall be indicated on site plan and elevations.
• all services at property line including invert elevation (ie. sanitary and storm. For more information, contact the Engineering Department at 604.294.7460.

Location of the following (if applicable) must be shown on the site plan

• storm sewer sump
• vision clearance at street and/or lane intersections
• rock-pit
• septic tank and field layout

The following information must be included on the same sheet as the site plan

• civic address and legal description including type of residence (single family or two family dwelling)
• zoning and zoning summary indicating the summation of all calculations (see attached example)
• designers name, address and telephone number
• Building Code reference (current edition) and Design Criteria (ground and roof snow load)

2. Foundation, floor and roof plans
(see sample drawing no. 2)
scale: 1/4" = 1' - 0"

Requirements for foundation, floor and/or roof plans are as follows

• overall building dimensions of both principle building and accessory buildings (length and width from posts/building face/floor joist projection to opposite posts/building face/floor joist projection)
• complete dimensions to all construction
• room use and size.
• floor, decks, porches, flat roof, and open to below area calculations for each floor

Location of the following must be indicated on all floor plans

• windows and doors including door swings and sizes
• stairs showing direction of travel and dimensions
• plumbing fixtures, appliances, fireplaces, heating/ventilation systems and smoke alarms
• direction and sizes of all floor/ceiling/roof structural components, including beams and hangers (sealed and signed by a Registered Professional Structural Engineer)

3. Cross sections and construction details
(see sample drawing no. 3)
scale cross sections 1/4" = 1' - 0"
construction details 1/2" = 1' - 0"

The following cross section items are required

• floor to ceiling height of all habitable rooms, including crawl/roof spaces
• height between finished (underside) uppermost ceiling and roof peak
• cross section through stairs to floor above showing headroom clearance
• cross section through crawlspace showing a "stepped" footing
• floor, ceiling, roof and wall assembly

The following construction detail items are required

• footing and foundation wall
• bedroom windows indicating height from finished floor to window sill.
• typical bay window/window seat (see handout - Building Department counter).
• sloped/vaulted ceilings/roof decks indicating ventilation and insulation requirements
• stair, indicating inner and outer radius (tapered threads), width(s),rise, runs, guards, and handrails
• for two family dwellings, party wall from foundation to underside of roof sheathing indicating proposed fire separation and sound transmission rating
• all construction materials
• any other as necessary

4. Elevations
(see sample drawing no. 4)
scale: 1/4" = 1' - 0"

The following elevation items are required

• exterior finish
• window size and direction of opening
• existing and finished grades at building corners
• elevations (indicating building height) at each finished floor, uppermost ceiling, and roof peak
• roof slope(s)
• spatial separation calculations located near applicable elevation
• size and height of aerial trespass if applicable

5. Portable Toilets
As a result of regular complaints regarding construction workers urinating in the open in residential neighbourhoods, City Council has approved a staff recommendation making portable washrooms a requirement on all single and two-family dwelling sites.

Anyone applying for a Building Permit for a single or two-family dwelling must produce a receipt for a portable toilet rental before a permit will be issued. Any builder who fails to maintain a portable toilet on site may have their inspection privileges suspended.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact the Burnaby Building Department at 604.294.7140 or 604.294.7143.

Other Related Topics

Sample Drawing No. 1

Sample Drawing No. 2

Sample Drawing No. 3

Sample Drawing No. 4

[Last Updated May 3, 2005]