Burnaby Energy Conservation Bylaw Checklist
Burnaby, British Columbia property owners, designers and contractors must follow provincial energy requirements plus municipal rules when designing, constructing or renovating buildings. This checklist explains how municipal processes, the provincial Energy Step Code and local permit pathways interact in Burnaby and lists practical steps to document compliance, submit permits, and avoid enforcement actions.
Checklist overview
This checklist covers planning, design verification, documentation, inspections and records you should prepare to demonstrate compliance with energy conservation rules applicable to Burnaby buildings. It is intended for new construction, major renovations and change-of-use projects where energy requirements apply.
- Prepare energy modelling and compliance reports early in design.
- Integrate high-efficiency HVAC, building envelope and ventilation measures into construction documents.
- Collect commissioning and test results, including blower-door and mechanical performance tests.
- Plan permit submissions to include energy compliance checklists and prescriptive documentation where required.
Burnaby requires building permits and reviews energy-related submissions as part of the building permit process; consult the City of Burnaby building permits pages for the official application steps and documentation requirements City of Burnaby - Building permits[1].
Technical standards and where they come from
Energy performance requirements applicable in Burnaby derive from the BC Building Code and the provincial Energy Step Code framework, which sets performance pathways municipalities can require. Check the provincial Energy Step Code guidance for technical tiers, testing protocols and accepted compliance methods BC Energy Step Code guidance[2].
- Confirm whether your permit application must meet a specific Energy Step Code step or equivalent performance path.
- Use accredited modelling tools and certified testers where the municipality requires verified performance.
- Attach test reports, commissioning forms and owner declarations to the permit submission.
Penalties & Enforcement
Enforcement of energy-related requirements in Burnaby is managed through the City of Burnaby's building and bylaw enforcement processes. Specific monetary fines or daily rates for failing to meet energy code requirements are not always listed on municipal pages; where a monetary penalty or specific sanction is not stated on an official page we state that it is "not specified on the cited page" and cite the controlling source.
- Monetary fines: not specified on the cited page; consult the City of Burnaby enforcement pages for bylaw fine schedules and ticketing authority.[1]
- Escalation: first, repeat and continuing offence procedures and any daily fine escalation are not specified on the cited page and depend on the applicable bylaw or order.[1]
- Non-monetary sanctions: inspectors may issue stop-work orders, require corrective works, withhold occupancy permits, or refer matters to the courts; specific remedies appear in the building and bylaw enforcement instruments or orders (not fully specified on the cited page).[1]
- Enforcer and complaint pathway: By-law Enforcement and Building Permits/Inspections divisions of the City of Burnaby handle investigations and inspections; contact through the city's official bylaw or building webpages.[1]
- Appeals and review: appeal routes typically include internal review, request for reconsideration, or provincial code appeal processes where permitted; specific time limits for appeals are not specified on the cited page.
Applications & Forms
Permit applications generally require the standard building permit form plus energy compliance documentation. The City of Burnaby publishes application requirements and submission methods on its Building Permits pages; if a specific energy form name or number is required it will be listed there. If no distinct provincial or municipal form is published for a particular energy submission, provide the modelling reports, test certificates and declarations as attachments to the building permit application.[1]
- Typical required items: completed building permit application, construction drawings, energy model, blower-door test report, commissioning reports, owner declaration.
- Fees: permit fees and any review fees are listed in the City of Burnaby fee schedules; specific energy review fees are not specified on the cited permit page.
- Submission: online or in-person at the City of Burnaby permit counter depending on the current process posted by the city.
How-To
- Confirm applicable energy path (prescriptive or performance) with Burnaby permit staff during pre-application.
- Complete energy modelling and arrange required tests (blower-door, mechanical commissioning).
- Attach all energy documentation to the building permit application and pay applicable fees.
- Schedule inspections and provide test reports to the inspector before occupancy inspection.
- If cited for noncompliance, follow corrective orders, document remedial work and use the city appeal or review pathways if needed.
FAQ
- Do I need a separate energy permit for Burnaby?
- Energy compliance is assessed through the building permit process; there is not usually a separate "energy permit" but check the City of Burnaby permit requirements for project-specific instructions.[1]
- What technical standard should I design to?
- Design to the BC Building Code requirements and any municipal Energy Step Code step or equivalency that Burnaby requires for your project type; see provincial guidance for Step Code tiers.[2]
- Who inspects energy performance tests?
- City building inspectors review and accept required test reports; accredited testers typically carry out the tests.
Key Takeaways
- Begin energy compliance documentation at design to avoid delays.
- Attach modelling, test reports and declarations to your building permit application.
Help and Support / Resources
- City of Burnaby - Building permits
- City of Burnaby - By-law Enforcement
- BC Government - Energy Step Code
- BC Government - Building Codes & Standards
