Permits & Applications

For permission to encroach on City right-of-way or property. 

Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC) Permit applications are made through the City’s Engineering Department and are required to be issued prior to the release of associated construction permits. ESC Permits are commonly associated with but not limited to Engineering Agreements, Building Permits and Soil Deposition/Removal Permits.

Single and two family construction sites do not require an ESC Permit but are required to follow Best Management Practices as outlined in the Sediment Control Measures for Residential Construction Sites guidelines (linked below). 

For more information, please contact Engineering Development Services.

For sprinkler contractors installing sprinkler heads for fire protection.

For installation of forced air heating system.

For gas contractors looking to fit all gas installations. Permits for gas installation of over 409,000 BTU can be obtained from the Provincial Safety Authority.

New! You can now apply for your Gas Permit online by logging into My Permits Portal.

For high-hazard fireworks, including rockets, serpents, shells, bomb-shells, tourbillions, maroons, large wheels, bouquets, barrages, bombardos, waterfalls and mines.

Additional information:

Fees: $106.50 (GST Exempt)

Send completed permit application to [email protected] for processing, or mail directly to the Administration Office (4867 Sperling Avenue, Burnaby, BC  V5E 2S9). 

Cheque payment is preferred; any payment drop-off must be scheduled in advance through the Fire Administration Office.

To safeguard the public and City assets, the Engineering department will review all aspects of a hoarding and shoring proposal. Please contact us with questions or to book an inspection. 

For permission to temporarily use water from a City fire hydrant. 

For heating contractors installing hydronic heating systems in any self-contained residential unit.

For those needing an exemption to watering time restrictions. You can apply for this permit if you are caring for a new lawn (sod, turf or seed) or treating your lawn for European chafer beetles with the use of nematodes. 

For low-hazard fireworks, including firework showers, fountains, golden rain, lawn light, pin wheel, Roman candles, volcanoes, sparklers, Christmas crackers and caps for toy guns.

Additional information:

Fees: $106.50 (GST Exempt)

Send completed permit application to [email protected] for processing, or mail directly to the Administration Office (4867 Sperling Avenue, Burnaby, BC  V5E 2S9). 

Cheque payment is preferred; any payment drop-off must be scheduled in advance through the Fire Administration Office.

For any project work in or abutting a street, boulevard, alley, sidewalk, park, terrace, or other property controlled or owned by the City (including right-of-ways). 

This work may include, but is not limited to geotechnical or environmental investigations, installations, repairs, maintenance and investigation of a test pit, monitoring well, borehole, vacuum-hole, minor excavation or any other non-intrusive work on City property.

A complete application should include

• Application form: all sections in the application form are filled out and is signed & dated 
• Cover page: includes detailed contact information, project scope, proposed work dates
• Design drawing of proposed work: includes location address or intersection. Plan view scale at 1:250 for utility congested areas. 
• Pavement restoration plan for small excavations following the City of Burnaby Pavement Restoration Policy. 
• Certificate of insurance: includes City of Burnaby as co-insured and has policy expiry date. Use the City of Burnaby prefilled Certificate of Insurance standards form for basic or sensitive utilities. 
• Traffic control permit: includes permit # (if applicable)

For new buildings or additions to buildings. 

Applies to project related work subject to Section 15(1) of the Noise or Sound Abatement Bylaw. Under this bylaw, construction noise or construction-related activities are permitted:

• Monday to Friday between 7 am to 8 pm
• Saturday between 9 am to 8 pm

Where it is impossible or impracticable to comply with Section 15(1) of the Noise or Sound Abatement Bylaw, a Noise Variance request may be considered. 

Noise Variances are not provided for parties, gatherings or concerts.

A complete application should include:

• Online application form: all sections in the application form are accurately filled out with details pertaining to the rationale of the variance request, equipment, anticipated decibel levels and noise mitigation measures.
• Draft notice to be distributed to the businesses/residents in the neighborhood adjacent to the proposed work area. Notices are required to be distributed minimum 72 hours before commencement of the work.
• Map outlining where the notices will be distributed (e.g. 1 city block circumference around the proposed work area).
• Associated Traffic Control Permit # (if applicable) – include in additional comments.
• Project name (if applicable) – include in additional comments.

Noise Variance requests require 7 full business days to review once all pertinent information is received. 

Vehicles exceeding 20 metres in length, or 2.6 metres in width, require an oversize load permit.