Burnaby Public Art Bylaw Approval & Fees

Parks and Public Spaces British Columbia 3 Minutes Read · published May 24, 2026 Flag of British Columbia

Burnaby, British Columbia maintains procedures for approving public art, siting works on city land, and recovering installation costs under municipal programs and permits. This guide explains the typical approval steps, who decides, what permits or fees may apply, and how enforcement and appeals work in Burnaby. It draws on City policy and permit pages so artists, community groups and project managers can plan submissions, budgeting and compliance.

Approval Process

The City of Burnaby evaluates public art proposals through its Public Art Program and related Parks and Planning processes. Typical steps include a project consultation, site assessment, design review and approval by the appropriate city authority or advisory committee. For installations on parkland or within the road allowance you will generally need a park permit or encroachment/occupancy agreement with the City of Burnaby Public Art Program[1] and a parks or permits application Park Permits[2].

Begin with a written site proposal and contact the Public Art coordinator before committing design funds.

Site, Design and Approvals Checklist

  • Proposal package with drawings, materials and maintenance plan
  • Consultation meeting with Parks or Planning staff
  • Engineering/site safety review if installation affects utilities or infrastructure
  • Advisory committee or Council approval where required

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement of unauthorized public art installations, damage to public property, or non-compliance with permit terms in Burnaby is managed by the City’s By-law Enforcement and the responsible operational department (Parks, Engineering or Planning) depending on the location and issue. Specific monetary fines and escalating penalty schedules are set out in applicable bylaws or permit conditions.

Always obtain written approval before installing on City land to avoid removal orders or fines.
  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited pages; see official bylaws or fee schedules for precise amounts.
  • Escalation: first, repeat and continuing offence provisions are "not specified on the cited page" and may appear in specific bylaws or permit terms.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: removal orders, restoration requirements, seizure or holds on work, suspension of permits and court action are possible under City authority.
  • Enforcer and complaints: By-law Enforcement and Parks staff handle complaints and inspections; use official contact channels listed below.
  • Appeals/review: specific appeal routes and time limits vary by permit or bylaw and are not specified on the cited pages.

Applications & Forms

The City publishes permit application pages for park and right-of-way uses; a separate public art submission protocol is available through Cultural Services. Named form numbers or a single consolidated public-art application form are not specified on the cited pages.

If a formal form is not listed, submit a detailed proposal package and request the correct application from the Public Art coordinator.

How-To

  1. Prepare a site-specific proposal that includes concept drawings, materials, anchoring details, and a maintenance plan.
  2. Contact Burnaby Public Art Program or Parks staff to confirm the correct permits and submission requirements.[1]
  3. Submit required permit applications (park permit, encroachment or building permits as advised) and pay applicable fees.
  4. Complete any engineering or heritage reviews, obtain approvals, and schedule inspections before installation.
  5. After installation, provide final documentation and arrange long-term maintenance or transfer agreements if required.

FAQ

Do I need a permit to install public art on City property?
Yes—installations on parkland, sidewalks or in the road allowance typically require a park permit or encroachment agreement and review by the Public Art Program.[2]
How are installation fees and costs determined?
Fees for permits and installations depend on the permit type and specific project; exact fee amounts are not specified on the cited pages and are set out in fee bylaws or permit schedules.
Who enforces unauthorized works?
By-law Enforcement together with Parks or Engineering staff enforce removal, fines and compliance measures.

Key Takeaways

  • Contact the Public Art coordinator early to clarify approvals.
  • Permit requirements vary by site; parks and road allowances have distinct processes.
  • Fees and penalties should be confirmed from the official fee bylaw or permit documents.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Burnaby Public Art Program
  2. [2] City of Burnaby Park Permits

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