Do you rent out any part of your property?
If you're a resident who owns a single or two-family home in Burnaby, you must complete a Supplementary Utility Fees Declaration to state whether or not you're renting out your home or any suite on your property. If you haven't completed your form, are a new owner, or there's been a change in the rental status of your property, you must complete a declaration within 30 days of the change.
Failing to submit a declaration may result in a $1,000 penalty. Learn more about residential utility fees.
Find out about secondary suites, their benefits and how to build and maintain one.
A secondary suite is a self-contained unit within a single-family dwelling with a separate entrance, kitchen, living area and bathroom.
If you own a single or two-family home in Burnaby, you must complete the declaration form stating whether or not you're renting out your home or a suite on the property. Send your form to [email protected].
Apply for a secondary suite
If you want to install a secondary suite or legalize an existing secondary suite, you must:
- Meet the zoning conditions: you can only have a secondary suite within single-family dwellings in the following zones: R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R9, R10, R11, R12, A1, A2, A3, and RM6. Find out if your property qualifies.
- Meet the BC Building Code requirements.
- Have the necessary building and sub-trade permits.
- Get all the inspections done.
- Pay the supplementary utility fees: water and sewer charges will be billed with utility notices.
- Obtain a business license if renting but not living on the property.
Review the Secondary Suite Informational Guide to learn more.
How do secondary suites help?
Secondary suites provide several benefits, including acting as a mortgage helper, increasing the value of your home, facilitating aging in place, offering affordable housing and more.
Fines for non-registered properties
If you're renting an unregistered secondary suite, you may have to pay a $1,000 fine under the Burnaby Waterworks Regulation Bylaw and the Burnaby Sewer Charge Bylaw.
The penalty may be issued for any of the following:
- failing to submit a declaration
- failing to submit an additional declaration within 30 days following a change in the rental status of a suite
- submitting a false or inaccurate declaration
Supplementary utility fees
As a property owner, you must also submit the supplementary utility fees declaration form if one (or more) of the following conditions apply:
- no previous declaration form was submitted
- there's a change in property ownership
- the rental status of the property has changed
Review our Residential Utility Fees page to learn more.
Have questions? Contact us:
Supplementary utility fees and declarations - tax office
Phone: 604-294-7350
Email: [email protected]