Commercial building permit applications are moving online-only: As of November 3, 2025, applications for new commercial buildings and additions to existing commercial buildings must be submitted through My Permits Portal. To support this transition, paper applications will continue to be accepted until January 2, 2026, after which they will no longer be accepted. Any permit applied for prior to January 2, 2026 will follow the preexisting building permit approval and issuance process. Tenant improvement or alteration applications for existing buildings must be submitted as paper applications.
Changes to Development & Building Permit process (Effective July 1, 2026): The City of Burnaby is updating its development approval process. For some projects, a Development Permit will be required before a Building Permit can be submitted or issued. This change supports clearer requirements earlier in the process and helps improve overall timelines. Learn more.
Fire sprinkler permits: You can now apply for fire sprinkler permits online through MyPermits Portal. Effective January 1, 2027, Fire Sprinkler Permit applications must be submitted online. Paper applications will no longer be accepted.
Everything you need to know to construct a new commercial, industrial or multi-family residential building
All new buildings and any major additions to existing commercial, industrial and multi-residential buildings require a building permit. Permit applications are being accepted online via My Permits Portal. Detailed information, including definitions, is available in our Building Bylaw.
Applicants seeking building permits for tenant improvements or alterations to an existing building must submit a paper application to the City.
How to apply
Carefully review the application requirements to submit a complete application. Applications are considered incomplete if documents are missing or do not include information required, and will result in increased application timelines.
Additional information may be requested when your application is under review.
A digital building permit application can be submitted once the required planning approvals for a project are substantially complete. For projects that require rezoning, a building permit application may be submitted after the rezoning has received First and Second Reading from Council. For projects that do not require rezoning, a building permit application may be submitted once the Development Permit or applicable planning application has been reviewed by the City. While applications may be submitted at these stages, a building permit cannot be issued until all required planning approvals are finalized.
Applications for New Commercial and Additions can be submitted online through the My Permits Portal.
Step-by step instructions for registration, digital permit applications and account management are available through the My Permits Portal Help Centre.
How to pay
Full payment of fees must be made at the time of application. Fees can be paid directly in My Permits Portal, or you can pay invoices online with your credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express) or in-person with cash, cheque or debit card. Per the City's Fee Recovery Bylaw 13640, we'll charge a fee of 1.8% on payments made with a credit card
Application review
Once a complete application is received, City staff will review the development application and building plans.
The review process may include circulation to
- Electrical and plumbing review groups
- Fire department
- Engineering department
- Planning department
Applicants will be advised of any deficiencies, conditions or outstanding items that must be addressed before permit issuance. City staff will also notify applicants of any required deposits, development cost charges or engineering servicing fees.
Partial permits
Partial permits allow discrete portions of the work under a Building Permit to proceed while the building permit application is still under review. For more information regarding partial permits, please see the partial permit information guide.
Permit approval
Building permits are issued digitally once all City requirements have been met and all applicable fees have been paid.
Applicants will receive an email notification with instructions for downloading and printing their permit(s) and approved drawings. Physical copies of permits and drawings are no longer provided at City Hall.
Digital permits and approved drawings can be accessed by logging in to your My Permits Portal account, locating your building permit and selecting "attachments".
Construction site requirements
During construction, the permit holder must:
- print and post a copy of the City-issued building permit in a visible location on site for the duration of construction.
- maintain a full-size, to-scale, coloured set of City-approved and City-stamped drawings on site at all times for inspections.
Separate permits are required for electrical, plumbing, gas and fire protection work.
Trade permits must be applied for by sub-trades contractors licensed to work in the City of Burnaby. A building permit must be issued before trade permits can be issued, where required. Trade permit fee schedules are available on the website.
Inspections
Building inspections are conducted throughout the construction process. It is the responsibility of the permit holder to request inspections and ensure inspection requirements are met before booking.
Inspections can be booked by calling 604-294-7130, Monday to Friday, between 8:30 am and 3 pm, at least one business day in advance.
Please have the following information available when booking an inspection:
- contact name and phone number
- permit number
- site address
- type of inspection
- requested inspection date
Booking inspections when work is complete, including the final inspections for all sub-trade permits, ensures that the project is completed in an efficient manner, and allows staff to address any potential issues that may impact the occupancy timeline.
The requirements and procedures for obtaining occupancy certificates for new buildings is outlined in the guide below.
Occupancy permits ensure that buildings comply with relevant bylaws and codes, are safe for people to use and are required for all commercial or multi-family residential buildings.
The building inspector will conduct the final occupancy inspection after receiving the complete Occupancy Certificate application (or Occupancy Binder). It is the responsibility of the Coordinating Registered Professional (CRP) to ensure that the project is completed, all the fire and life systems tested and there is no further construction activity before submitting an application to the building inspector for an occupancy certificate.
Once all the final inspections have been completed, including inspections by other authorities such as the Fire Division for the Integrated Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems, the Building Inspector will carry out the final occupancy inspection (“trip test” or “Coordinated final AHJ Review”). The “trip test” will not be conducted prior to the submission and review of the Occupancy Binder. It should be the final process before the issuance of the Occupancy Certificate. Pending the successful trip test, the Building Inspector will issue an Occupancy Certificate.
The Building Inspector may grant provisional occupancy with a condition that some minor deficiencies not related to fire and life safety can be corrected within a specified time frame.