Form and Character Development Permit Areas
Learn about the Form and Character Development Permit Area, including design requirements for securing a permit
Overview
Development Permit Areas (DPAs) are designated in the Burnaby 2050 Official Community Plan (OCP) to guide how development occurs in specific locations across the city. The Form and Character DPA applies to all multi-family residential (apartments and townhouses), commercial and industrial development in Burnaby.
Within the Form and Character Development Permit Area, property owners must obtain a Development Permit before undertaking development. As a condition of Permit approval, owners must demonstrate that a proposed development conforms with the City’s urban design guidelines and policies. These policies are laid out in the Form and Character Development Permit Area Guidelines.
There are some categories of works that are exempt from Form and Character DPA requirements, such as minor repairs and restoration. Property owners are strongly encouraged to review the Guidelines and contact City staff in advance of submitting a development application or undertaking any work to determine whether a Development Permit is required and which guidelines apply.
OCP Development Permit Areas
The OCP also designates Development Permit Areas for the following:
What is form and character?
Form and character refer to the outward-facing design and organization of development, including:
- how buildings are oriented and positioned
- how buildings fit in with their surroundings, including their shape, height, and relationship with other nearby buildings and properties
- architectural design and exterior materials
- landscaping and open space design
- site access, circulation, and parking layout
- how buildings interface with the surrounding streets, lanes and public spaces
How Development Permit Area Guidelines work
Development Permit Area Guidelines set out the design objectives and expectations for development within the designated area.
The guidelines:
- provide direction for applicants when designing development proposals
- support City staff in reviewing applications for consistency with the OCP and Burnaby’s urban design policies
- set criteria for evaluating the visual and functional quality of development and how it fits into the surrounding neighbourhood
Guidelines are applied during the development review process and may result in conditions being placed on a Development Permit to ensure proposals meet City objectives. Proposals failing to meet the requirements of the Guidelines may be required to revise their applications to bring them into conformity or their Development Permit may be denied.
The Form and Character Development Permit Area Guidelines can be found within Schedule I of the City's Zoning Bylaw.
Relationship to other planning documents
Form and Character DPAs work alongside other City policies and regulations, including:
- Official Community Plan (OCP): establishes Development Permit Areas, defines permitted land uses, and provides strategic development and growth policies.
- Community Plans: establishes area specific land use guidance and development policies.
- Zoning Bylaw: implements OCP land uses through regulations for land use districts, including permitted uses, density and height. All development must be in conformity with the Zoning Bylaw. Any proposed amendments to the zoning bylaw (rezoning) must be in conformity with the OCP and Community Plans.
- Form and Character Development Permit Area: Provides design guidelines that development must satisfy in order to receive Development Permit approval.