School Building Permit Guide - Burnaby Bylaws

This guide explains how to obtain a school building permit in Burnaby, British Columbia, and describes the municipal processes, responsible offices, and practical steps for school boards, architects, and contractors. It covers pre-application consultation, required documentation, inspections, timelines and compliance with city bylaws and zoning. Use this as a procedural checklist to prepare drawings, reports and forms before formal submission to the City of Burnaby Planning and Building divisions.

Pre-application steps

Before submitting a formal building permit application, confirm zoning and land-use permissions with the City of Burnaby Planning Division and request a pre-application meeting if the project involves new construction or substantial alterations to an existing school.

• Arrange a pre-application review with Planning.
• Prepare conceptual site plans, architectural drawings and an outline of the proposed program.
• Compile engineering reports (geotechnical, structural, mechanical, electrical) as required by the City.

Applications & Forms

Submit a complete Building Permit Application package through the City of Burnaby Building Permit process; the official application form and submission requirements are published by the City and must accompany permit drawings and reports.^[1]

Review process and timelines

Once accepted, applications undergo coordinated review by Building, Planning, Engineering and Fire for compliance with the Building Code, municipal bylaws and site servicing standards. Timelines vary by project complexity; request an estimated review schedule during pre-application or at submission.

• Expect multiple review cycles for large or complex school projects.
• Inspections are scheduled after permit issuance for footings, framing, services and final occupancy.
• Fees and security deposits are required at permit issuance; refer to fee schedules published by the City.

Penalties & Enforcement

The City of Burnaby enforces compliance with building bylaws, the provincial Building Code where adopted, and conditions of permits. Enforcement actions can include orders to stop work, notices to comply, permit suspension or revocation, court actions and fines. Specific penalty amounts for unauthorized construction or breaches related to building permits are not specified on the cited City pages and must be confirmed with By-law Enforcement or the Building Division at the City of Burnaby.^[2]

• Typical enforcement steps include stop work orders and compliance orders; monetary fines are not specified on the cited page.
• Repeat or continuing offences may lead to escalating actions or court prosecution; specific escalation amounts are not specified on the cited page.
• Appeals or reviews of enforcement decisions follow municipal procedures; time limits for appeals are not specified on the cited page and should be confirmed with the issuing department.
• Common violations: building without a permit, failure to schedule required inspections, non-compliance with approved plans.

Applications & Forms

The City publishes a Building Permit Application form and checklists for drawings and reports; fees and security requirements are listed with the building permit information on the City website. If a specific school project requires a development permit or rezonings, those application forms are separate and managed by Planning.^[1]

How to prepare for inspections and occupancy

• Keep approved drawings on site and follow inspection scheduling procedures in the permit.
• Address any conditions or corrections promptly to avoid delays to final occupancy certification.

FAQ

Who issues school building permits in Burnaby?

The City of Burnaby Building Division issues building permits; Planning may manage development and rezoning requirements.

How long does a school building permit take?

Times vary by project complexity; request an estimated review schedule during pre-application or at submission.

Where do I find the application form?

The official Building Permit Application form and submission checklist are published on the City of Burnaby website.^[1]

How-To

1. Request a pre-application meeting with Planning and Building.
2. Compile and finalize architectural and engineering drawings to municipal submission standards.
3. Complete the City building permit application and attach required reports and checklists.
4. Pay application and review fees and provide any required securities at permit issuance.
5. Schedule inspections as work proceeds and comply with permit conditions.
6. Obtain final occupancy approval before using the building for students and staff.

Key Takeaways

• Start with a pre-application meeting to identify zoning or development permit needs.
• Submit complete drawings and reports to avoid acceptance delays.
• Schedule inspections and comply promptly with any orders to reach final occupancy.

Help and Support / Resources

• City of Burnaby - Building Permit Applications
• City of Burnaby - Development Applications
• City of Burnaby - Bylaws
• Contact Planning & Building Divisions

1. [1] City of Burnaby - Building Permit Applications
2. [2] City of Burnaby - Development Applications