Zoning Bylaw

Burnaby’s new Zoning Bylaw is now in effect

As of July 1, 2026 our new zoning bylaw is in effect, replacing the former Burnaby Zoning Bylaw 1965.

  • The new bylaw modernizes and simplifies the City’s development regulations, responds to recent provincial housing legislation, and helps implement other City plans and policies, including the Burnaby 2050 Official Community Plan.
  • It’s the conclusion of Burnaby’s Zoning Bylaw Rewrite project, which introduced major bylaw amendments over four phases between 2024 and 2026. The new bylaw brings together these earlier updates with revised supplementary regulations and a clearer, more user-friendly format.

The Burnaby Zoning Bylaw regulates the development and use of land, buildings, and structures within the City of Burnaby through the establishment of zones, referred to as “Zoning Districts.” The bylaw regulates matters such as building height, setbacks from property lines, and where different types of housing, businesses, and other land uses are permitted.

The Burnaby Zoning Bylaw provided for the public’s convenience is an unofficial consolidation of Bylaw No. 14815. 

How to Read the Zoning Bylaw

The Zoning Bylaw is divided into the following parts:

  • Part 1 - Administration: Part 1 establishes the administrative framework for the Zoning Bylaw, including provisions for the Official Zoning Map, interpretation, enforcement, and transitional matters.
  • Part 2 - Definitions: Part 2 defines key terms used throughout the Zoning Bylaw to support clarity, consistency, and interpretation in the application of the regulations.
  • Part 3 - Zoning Districts: Part 3 establishes Zoning Districts that regulate the use of land, buildings, and structures, and the height and siting of development within residential, commercial, employment, industrial, public/institutional, and agricultural areas of the City.
  • Part 4 - General Regulations: Part 4 establishes requirements applicable to multiple zoning districts in relation to the siting, form, and bulk of buildings as well as to environmental and landscaping features. 
  • Part 5 - Rental Housing and Bonus Incentives: Part 5 establishes requirements in relation to inclusionary rental units, replacement rental units, and community benefit bonus incentives.
  • Part 6 - Use-Specific Regulations: Part 6 establishes general use regulations and conditions for specific uses that apply to multiple zoning districts.
  • Part 7 - Parking, Loading, and Mobility: Part 7 regulates the provision of off-street parking, loading, bicycle parking, and end-of-trip facilities, including requirements related to their number, location, and design, to support development and manage access, servicing, and mobility within the city.
  • Schedules: The City’s Development Permit Area Guidelines are attached to the Zoning Bylaw as schedules. These are for Form and Character, Streamside Protection and Enhancement, and Tenant Protection.

The links below provide access to the online version of the Burnaby Zoning Bylaw. To find out what zoning district applies to a property, you can search the online version of the Official Zoning Map. For more information on the Burnaby Zoning Bylaw and zoning in the City, please contact the Planning Department at 604-294-7400.

Burnaby Zoning Bylaw
Part 3–Zoning Districts: Residential (R) Districts
Commercial (C) Districts
Employment (E) and Industrial (I) Districts
Public and Institutional (P) Districts
Agricultural (A) Districts
Comprehensive Development (CD) Districts
Schedules

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