ADU Permit Renewals & Fees - Burnaby Bylaws

Burnaby, British Columbia homeowners and builders must follow municipal permit rules for accessory dwelling units (ADUs). This guide explains typical renewal timelines, where fees are published, how enforcement works, and the practical steps to renew or appeal an ADU building permit issued by the City of Burnaby. It summarizes the City departments that manage permits, the documents and forms usually required, common compliance problems, and how to pay or dispute fees.

How ADU permit renewal generally works

Renewal of a building permit for an ADU in Burnaby is governed by the City’s building permit processes and the applicable bylaws and fee schedules. Permit holders should expect administrative steps to confirm work is continuing, pay any renewal fees, and submit updated drawings or inspections as requested by the City. Exact renewal windows and fee amounts are set in the City’s fee schedules and permit documentation; consult the official permit pages for current requirements and forms City of Burnaby - Building permits & inspections^[1].

Timeline & common deadlines

• Initial commencement periods and permit expiry terms: not specified on the cited page; check the permit record or contact Building Division.
• Typical administrative renewal requests: may be issued when work is inactive or a permit condition requires updated documentation.
• Appeal or review time limits for administrative decisions: not specified on the cited page; refer to the decision notice or contact the listed City office.

Fees & how they are charged

Burnaby publishes permit fees and schedules through its official fees and forms pages. Fee types that commonly apply to ADU permit renewals include:

• Renewal or revalidation fees (where applicable): amounts are published in the City fee schedule; see the fees and forms page for current figures Burnaby permit fees & forms^[2].
• Inspection or re-inspection fees: may apply if additional inspections are required after renewal.
• Application processing fees for revisions or supplemental submissions.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement of permit conditions, including expired or lapsed ADU permits, is carried out by the City of Burnaby's Building Division and By-law Enforcement as applicable. The City may require corrective action, issue notices, or assess fines where work proceeds without a valid permit.

• Monetary fines: specific fine amounts for working without a valid permit or breaching permit conditions are not specified on the cited bylaws page; consult the City enforcement pages or the relevant bylaw for exact amounts City of Burnaby - Bylaws & compliance^[3].
• Escalation: first and repeat offence procedures and continuing offence penalties are not specified on the cited page.
• Non-monetary remedies: stop-work orders, orders to remove or alter non-compliant construction, and requirements to obtain a valid permit or variance.
• Enforcers and inspection pathways: Building Division inspects construction; By-law Enforcement handles compliance complaints. Use the City contact pages to submit complaints or request inspections.
• Appeals and review: appeal routes or timelines for permit refusals or enforcement orders are not specified on the cited pages; review the decision notice or consult the Building Division for next steps.

Applications & Forms

The City publishes the standard permit application, required plans checklist, and fee schedule online. For ADU renewals you will typically need the original permit number, updated drawings if the scope changed, and payment of any renewal or re-inspection fees; if a specific renewal form is required it is published with the City's building permit forms and fees Burnaby fees & forms^[2]. If a published renewal form is not available, contact the Building Division for instructions.

Action steps to renew or regularize an ADU permit

• Confirm your permit number and review the original permit conditions.
• Gather updated drawings, inspection reports, and any variance approvals.
• Check and pay required renewal or re-inspection fees via the City fee page.
• Submit the renewal request or documentation to the Building Division and schedule required inspections.
• If you receive an enforcement notice, review appeal options and deadlines on the decision notice or contact the City for review instructions.

FAQ

How long before a building permit expires in Burnaby?

Exact expiry periods and commencement deadlines are not specified on the cited City pages; check your permit file or contact the Building Division for the recorded expiry date.

Are there fees to renew an ADU permit?

Yes. Renewal, re-inspection, or amendment fees may apply and are published in the City fee schedule; see the fees and forms page for current rates.

Who enforces ADU permit compliance?

The Building Division and By-law Enforcement handle inspections and compliance; specific enforcement actions are described on the City's compliance pages.

How-To

1. Locate your permit number and review the original permit documentation.
2. Prepare any revised plans, specifications, or evidence that work is continuing.
3. Contact the Building Division to confirm whether a formal renewal application or a simple administrative revalidation is required.
4. Pay any published fees and submit documentation through the City’s forms portal or as instructed by staff.
5. Book required inspections and obtain a final sign-off to close or continue the permit.

Key Takeaways

• Always check the City of Burnaby fee schedules and building permit pages before assuming timelines or amounts.
• Contact the Building Division early to confirm renewal steps and avoid enforcement actions.

Help and Support / Resources

• Building permits & inspections - City of Burnaby
• Fees & forms - Building services
• Bylaws & compliance - City of Burnaby