Burnaby Open Data Requests - Bylaw Process & Timelines

Technology and Data British Columbia 4 Minutes Read · published May 24, 2026 Flag of British Columbia

Burnaby, British Columbia researchers and practitioners often request datasets from the city for analysis, planning and compliance. This guide explains how Burnaby handles open data and formal information requests, who enforces release or access rules, typical timelines, fees and the steps to apply, appeal or report issues. It covers the municipal open data portal, Freedom of Information pathways handled by Records and FOI, and practical action steps for timely data access.

How requests are classified

Requests for existing published datasets are treated as open data access; requests for records not published or containing personal information are handled under the provincial Freedom of Information regime and municipal Records and FOI procedures. For guidance on published datasets and the city catalogue, consult the municipal open data pages [1]. For FOI submissions and Records information, consult the Records and FOI page [2].

Start by checking the open data catalogue for existing datasets before filing a formal request.

Request steps and expected timelines

  • Search the City of Burnaby open data catalogue for published datasets.
  • File an informal data request to the Open Data team for dataset publication or clarification.
  • If records are not publicly available, submit a formal FOI request to Records and FOI.
  • Track response timelines and any administrative fees noted on the official pages.

Penalties & Enforcement

Open data publication itself is typically an administrative service; there are no criminal penalties for requesting data. Enforcement actions related to non-compliance with access rules or bylaw duties are managed by the relevant municipal department or by provincial authorities where statutory duties apply. Specific fines or penalties for failures to publish open data are not specified on the cited city pages. For formal access under the Freedom of Information framework, provincial fee and timeline authorities apply as set out by Records and FOI and the governing statutes; where a municipal process imposes fees or penalties those amounts are documented on the official pages if published. Current information is cited below and is current as of May 2026.

If you believe a department failed to follow access rules, contact Records and FOI promptly.

Escalation, sanctions and enforcers

  • Enforcer: Records and FOI within the City of Burnaby for access issues; other departments enforce dataset-specific bylaws.
  • Escalation: internal review, formal appeal to the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of British Columbia may apply for FOI disputes - see official guidance.
  • Non-monetary remedies: orders to produce records, direction to correct public records, or court remedies where statutory rights exist.

Appeals, time limits and defences

  • Appeal route: review and appeal pathways are set out by Records and FOI and the provincial information and privacy office; specific time limits for internal review or external appeal are not specified on the cited city pages.
  • Defences: exemptions under provincial access legislation (e.g., personal privacy, law enforcement, privileged records) and reasonable administrative grounds are applied as permitted by statute.

Applications & Forms

The City provides guidance for submitting open data requests and FOI applications on its official pages. The name or number of a specific municipal open-data form is not specified on the cited open data page; for FOI there is typically a Freedom of Information request form and submission instructions on the Records and FOI page. Fees, deadlines and submission addresses are listed on those official pages when published; if a figure is not shown there, it is not specified on the cited page.

Many dataset requests are resolved faster if requesters provide a clear dataset name and intended use.

FAQ

How do I request a dataset already on the open data portal?
Search the City of Burnaby open data catalogue and use the contact or feedback link on the dataset page to request updates or clarification.
Do I need to file a FOI request for unpublished records?
Yes. Records not published as open data or containing personal information are typically requested through the Records and FOI process under provincial access rules.
How long will a request take?
Timelines vary by request type; provincial FOI timelines and municipal processes govern formal access requests. Check the official Records and FOI page for procedural details.

How-To

  1. Identify the dataset or records you need and check the open data catalogue for existing publications.
  2. Contact the Open Data team via the dataset page for informal publication or clarification requests.
  3. If records are unpublished, complete and submit a formal FOI request to the Citys Records and FOI office following the instructions on the official page.
  4. Track the request, respond to clarification questions promptly, and if necessary use the appeal pathways listed by Records and FOI.

Key Takeaways

  • Check the open data catalogue before filing formal requests.
  • FOI and municipal timelines differ; follow Records and FOI instructions for formal access.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Burnaby Open Data
  2. [2] City of Burnaby Records and FOI

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