Vendor Insurance & Indemnity Requirements - Burnaby Bylaws

Events and Special Uses British Columbia 3 Minutes Read · published May 24, 2026 Flag of British Columbia · By Daniel Roy

This guide explains insurance and indemnity expectations for vendors operating under Burnaby, British Columbia event and permit rules. Vendors, market operators and promoters working on City property or under a City permit should confirm required coverage limits, wording and additional insured language before the event. Where the City requires a permit, proof of insurance and an executed indemnity are normally part of the submission and must be maintained during the activity. See the City’s Special Events permit page for event-specific rules and timelines Special Events permit[1].

Insurance & Indemnity: What vendors need to know

Typical municipal requirements include commercial general liability insurance, certificates of insurance naming the City as an additional insured, and an indemnity agreement protecting the City from claims arising from vendor activities. Exact limits, wording and any required automobile or liquor liability depend on the permit type and location. For business licensing or permanent vendor operations, confirm municipal licence conditions with the City’s licensing pages Business licence information[2].

Obtain written confirmation of insurance wording from your insurer before submitting a permit application.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement of insurance and indemnity requirements is carried out by the City department that issues the permit or licence (for many events, this is the Special Events or Permits office and By-law Enforcement for compliance). If a vendor cannot produce required proof of insurance or indemnity, the City may refuse or suspend the permit or order removal from City property.

  • Fines or monetary penalties: not specified on the cited page.
  • Escalation (first, repeat, continuing): not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: refusal or suspension of permit, removal from City property, orders to stop activity, and referral to court where applicable.
  • Enforcer: By-law Enforcement and the Permits/Licences office of the City of Burnaby; inspect or report via official City contacts in the Help and Support section below.
  • Appeals/review: appeal routes and time limits are not specified on the cited page; vendors should follow directions on the permit refusal or enforcement notice.
  • Defences/discretion: the City may accept permits, variances, or evidence of a reasonable excuse; specific discretionary defences are not listed on the cited pages.
If enforcement action is taken, request written reasons and the applicable appeal steps immediately.

Applications & Forms

The City publishes permit application forms for events and business licences. Where an insurance certificate or indemnity form is required, it is generally listed with the permit application checklist. If a specific insurance form number is not published on the permit page, the requirement will be described in the permit conditions or emailed on request.

  • Special Event Permit application: check the City Special Events page for application, checklist and submission method Special Events permit[1].
  • Business Licence application: see Business Licence information and how to apply for permanent or temporary vendor licensing Business licence information[2].
  • Fees: specific insurance administration or permit fees are not specified on the cited pages; check the permit application for current fees.

Common vendor violations

  • Operating without required proof of insurance.
  • Failure to name the City as additional insured when required.
  • Non-compliance with permit conditions that increase liability risk.
Most compliance issues are resolved by producing the requested certificate of insurance before the event start.

FAQ

What minimum insurance limits do vendors need?
The exact minimum limits are not specified on the cited City permit pages; limits vary by permit and location and are listed on the permit application or conditions document.
Do I need to name the City of Burnaby as an additional insured?
Yes, where required by the permit the City must be named as an additional insured and insured wording must match the permit conditions.
Who enforces insurance and indemnity requirements?
By-law Enforcement and the Permits/Licences office enforce compliance; complaints and inspections are handled through official City contacts.

How-To

  1. Identify the permit you need and read the insurance and indemnity checklist.
  2. Contact your insurer to secure a certificate of insurance with the required limits and add the City as additional insured.
  3. Submit the permit application with the insurance certificate and indemnity form by the method shown on the permit page.
  4. Retain copies of insurance and correspondence and follow any directions if the City requests changes or clarifications.

Key Takeaways

  • Confirm insurance wording and limits before applying for a permit.
  • Submit certificates and indemnities with applications to avoid last-minute refusals.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Burnaby Special Events permit and requirements
  2. [2] City of Burnaby Business licence information

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Daniel Roy

Daniel Roy

Municipal Bylaw Analyst

Daniel analyses municipal bylaws across Canadian provinces and territories. He checks every guide against official municipal and provincial sources.