Burnaby Bylaw - Firearm Discharge Rules & Permits

Public Safety British Columbia 3 Minutes Read · published May 24, 2026 Flag of British Columbia

In Burnaby, British Columbia, municipal rules and enforcement interact with provincial and federal firearms laws to control where and how firearms may be discharged on city property. The City maintains consolidated bylaws and bylaw-enforcement services that address use of city lands; for criminal or licensing matters the federal Canadian Firearms Program and RCMP are the primary authorities[1][2][3]

Always treat any discharge as a serious safety and legal matter and report it immediately.

Scope and When Rules Apply

Burnaby’s municipal bylaws prohibit unsafe or unauthorized uses of land and facilities that may include discharge of firearms on city property or in parks. Federal criminal law and the Canadian Firearms Program control licensing, safe storage and criminal offences; municipal bylaws typically cover discharge on public lands and related nuisances or safety risks.

Penalties & Enforcement

How firearm-discharge incidents are enforced in Burnaby combines municipal bylaw processes and criminal enforcement. Specific monetary fines and escalation for municipal contraventions are not consistently listed on the cited municipal pages; where the city refers matters involving potential criminal conduct the RCMP will apply federal law and associated penalties.

  • Monetary fines: not specified on the cited municipal pages; see municipal bylaw listings for specific ticket amounts.
  • Escalation: first, repeat and continuing offences are handled through tickets, compliance orders or referral to RCMP; exact escalation ranges are not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: compliance orders, cease activities orders, seizure of weapons by RCMP where criminal offences are present, and court action under federal law.
  • Primary enforcers: City of Burnaby By-law Enforcement for municipal contraventions and Burnaby RCMP for criminal offences and firearms licensing matters.
  • Appeal and review: municipal ticket dispute and provincial adjudication processes or court review for bylaw tickets; time limits and exact routes are not specified on the cited municipal pages.
If you witness a discharge that threatens safety, call emergency services immediately.

Applications & Forms

The City of Burnaby does not publish a specific municipal "firearm discharge permit" form for general use on its public bylaws pages; event- or property-specific permissions may require applications to parks or facility managers and coordination with police. For licensing, possession and acquisition licences (PAL) and federal firearm authorizations are managed through the Canadian Firearms Program.[3]

  • Municipal forms: not specified on the cited City pages for a general discharge permit; contact By-law Enforcement for site-specific guidance.
  • Federal forms: PAL applications and renewal procedures are administered by the Canadian Firearms Program; follow RCMP guidance for forms and fees.
  • Fees: municipal and federal fees vary; if absent on the municipal page, federal fee schedules are available via Canadian Firearms Program resources.

Common Violations

  • Discharging a firearm on city parkland without authorization.
  • Unsafe storage or transportation leading to accidental discharge.
  • Using firearms in ways that create a public nuisance or safety hazard.
Local enforcement coordinates with RCMP for matters that may involve criminal offences.

Action Steps

  • Immediate danger: call 911 and report the location and description of the incident.
  • Non-emergency reports: contact Burnaby By-law Enforcement for municipal complaints and Burnaby RCMP for suspected criminal matters.
  • To request permission for an organized event involving firearms (e.g., supervised displays), submit the appropriate parks or facility application and notify police as required.
  • Paying fines or disputing tickets: follow the instructions on the ticket or contact the issuing agency for appeal procedures.

FAQ

Can I discharge a firearm on Burnaby public land?
No—discharging firearms on city parks and public lands without explicit authorization is prohibited and may lead to municipal or criminal enforcement; check with By-law Enforcement and RCMP for specifics.
Who enforces firearm discharge rules in Burnaby?
Municipal bylaw offences are handled by Burnaby By-law Enforcement and criminal or licensing matters are handled by Burnaby RCMP and the Canadian Firearms Program.
How do I report an unlawful discharge?
Call 911 if there is immediate danger; for non-emergencies contact Burnaby By-law Enforcement or Burnaby RCMP to file a report.

How-To

  1. Assess safety and, if immediate danger exists, call 911.
  2. Document time, location and description of the incident without putting yourself at risk.
  3. Report the incident to Burnaby By-law Enforcement for municipal action or to Burnaby RCMP for criminal investigation.
  4. If you require permission for a lawful, supervised activity involving firearms, contact the relevant parks or facility office and notify police as directed.

Key Takeaways

  • Discharging firearms on Burnaby public lands is restricted and can trigger municipal and criminal enforcement.
  • Report emergencies to 911; use bylaw and police non-emergency channels for other reports.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Burnaby consolidated bylaws
  2. [2] City of Burnaby By-law Enforcement
  3. [3] RCMP - Canadian Firearms Program

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