Burnaby Lot Size & Servicing Bylaw Guide
Burnaby, British Columbia property owners and developers must meet local lot size and servicing standards set by municipal bylaws and development servicing requirements. This guide explains where to find rules that affect minimum parcel dimensions, frontage, servicing (water, sewer, storm), and connections to municipal infrastructure, and describes the application, inspection and enforcement pathways used by the City of Burnaby.
Overview of Lot Size and Servicing Rules
Lot size minimums and servicing specifications are established through Burnaby zoning regulations and the Subdivision and Development Servicing requirements administered by the City's planning and engineering authorities. Typical topics covered include minimum lot area, frontage, required utilities, boulevard works, and dedication requirements.
- Zoning controls minimum lot area and frontage by zone.
- Servicing standards govern water, sanitary, storm systems and road works.
- Subdivision and servicing plans must often be approved before building permits are issued.
How to Confirm Requirements for a Property
To confirm applicable lot size and servicing standards for a specific parcel, consult the City's zoning designation and the Subdivision and Development Servicing requirements, then contact Planning or Engineering staff for pre-application advice. Obtain current zoning maps and official plan designations before preparing design or subdivision applications.
- Review the zoning bylaw and zoning map for parcel-specific lot standards.
- Obtain servicing specifications from the City engineering or subdivision office.
- Request a pre-application meeting if site-specific issues are likely.
Penalties & Enforcement
Enforcement of lot size, subdivision and servicing requirements is carried out by the City of Burnaby's enforcement and planning/building departments. Administrative orders, compliance notices and court proceedings are the usual tools. Specific monetary fines and daily penalties are not specified on the cited enforcement page below; see the contact link for current enforcement procedures and possible ticketing or court action.By-law Enforcement, City of Burnaby[1]
- Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page.
- Escalation for repeat or continuing offences: not specified on the cited page.
- Non-monetary sanctions: compliance orders, stop-work directions, restoration orders, and court prosecution are used where necessary.
- Appeals/review: typical routes include internal review, provincial tribunal or court process; specific time limits are not specified on the cited page.
- Enforcer and complaints: By-law Enforcement and Planning/Building departments handle complaints and inspections; contact details are on the City website.By-law Enforcement, City of Burnaby[1]
Applications & Forms
Subdivision applications, servicing plan submissions and building permit applications are normally required for lot creation or major servicing changes. Specific form names, numbers, fees and submission steps are published on the City's Planning and Building Permit pages listed in Resources; if a particular form or fee is not published on those pages, it is not specified here.
- Subdivision or strata plan applications: check Planning or Engineering for current forms.
- Fees and security deposits: see official fee schedules on City webpages.
- Submission: most applications require electronic or in-person submission to Planning or Building Permits.
Common Violations
- Unauthorized lot splits or strata subdivisions without approval.
- Failure to install required water, sewer or storm connections to municipal standards.
- Construction within required setbacks or on unapproved lot configurations.
FAQ
- What is the minimum lot size for residential lots in Burnaby?
- The minimum lot size depends on the zoning designation for the parcel; consult the zoning bylaw and the zoning map or contact Planning for parcel-specific information.
- When are servicing upgrades required for a development?
- Servicing upgrades are required when a development increases demand on municipal systems or when subdivision or road works are proposed; see the Subdivision and Development Servicing requirements for details.
- How do I report a suspected bylaw violation about lot or servicing work?
- Report concerns to By-law Enforcement or Planning/Building via the City complaint pages or phone contact provided in Resources.
How-To
- Gather the legal description and civic address of the property and review the zoning designation on the City zoning map.
- Download or request the Subdivision and Development Servicing requirements and any zoning schedules that apply to the parcel.
- Contact Planning or Engineering for a pre-application meeting to confirm required studies, drawings and forms.
- Prepare and submit the required application forms, servicing plans and fees to the appropriate City department.
- Arrange inspections and respond promptly to any compliance requests or conditions of approval.
Key Takeaways
- Confirm zone-specific lot standards before design work begins.
- Servicing plans and approvals are often prerequisites to building permits.
Help and Support / Resources
- By-law Enforcement, City of Burnaby
- Planning and Development, City of Burnaby
- Building Permits, City of Burnaby
