Beginning September 2, all residential building permit applications will only be available online. Find more information.
Everything you need to know to add, alter or renovate an existing home in Burnaby
You will require approvals to ensure that the project meets current bylaws and regulations, and to ensure building safety. Applications for alteration or addition permits are made online via My Permits Portal, while restoration permit applications must be submitted in person.
Find step-by-step guides for My Permit Portal such as account registration, applying for permits, making payments, and more in our My Permits Portal Help Centre.
Repairs to damaged existing buildings resulting from fire, flood, or other natural or man-made disasters
Restoration permit applications must be submitted in person at City Hall.
- Damaged building: repairs to building caused by fire or other natural or man-made disasters may require a building permit.
- Repairs: including roofs, foundation and structural restoration (not replacement of existing) require a building permit.
Forms and fees
Bulletins and information
Proposed changes that do not create additional floor area
Changes to existing buildings that do not create additional floor area are classified as Alterations in Burnaby. These may include modifications to the interior or exterior of your home, or adding secondary suites. These projects require a permit, which you can apply for online.
Forms and fees
Bulletins and information
These guides cover interior and exterior alterations, including adding bathrooms, building or taking down walls and installing solar panels:
Secondary suites:
- For more information and rates please visit our Development Funding Program page.
Proposed changes that change the building footprint or create additional floor area
In Burnaby, any change to a building’s footprint or an increase in floor area is considered an addition. This includes expansions to existing accessory building/structures such as garages, awnings, patio covers, fences, retaining walls, decks, and hot tubs. Attached garages are also considered additions, whereas new accessory buildings or detached garages are classified as new buildings. To proceed, applicants must submit a permit application online through the City’s My Permits portal.
Forms and fees
Bulletins and information
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- For more information and rates please visit our Development Funding Program page.
- Burnaby Swimming Pool Enclosure Bylaw
Unauthorized construction
All construction undertaken without required permits is unauthorized. Unpermitted work, including renovations, carries significant risk to homeowners and residents, as permitting ensures that any work done on a building meets current City bylaws and regulations, the BC Building Code and health and safety standards to ensure livability and building safety.
When the City becomes aware of unauthorized or unpermitted construction, we will take action to enforce all applicable bylaws and can assess fines and penalties, issue stop work orders or seek court orders to ensure remediation to bring a project into compliance.
As a homeowner you are responsible for any unpermitted work on your property, even if that work happened prior to you owning it. Unpermitted work is generally not covered by home insurance and may compromise the coverage of the remainder of the property.
View more information of the impact of unpermitted work
Should you become aware of any unpermitted construction:
- Contact the Building Department to confirm the unpermitted work.
- Apply for the appropriate permits to address existing issues.
- Review the Secondary Suite Informational Guide below.
- Apply for the appropriate permits and pay the required fees.
- Any construction project that includes the excavation, erection, enlargement, alteration, removal, fire repair or demolition of any building or structure including accessory and temporary buildings requires a permit.
- Minor works such a replacing fixtures, cabinet and flooring, painting the inside of your home or doing minor non-structural repairs to the outside of your home do not need a permit.
- If you are unsure if your project requires a permit, please contact the Building Department.