Burnaby Bylaws: Report Public Art Vandalism

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

In Burnaby, British Columbia, public art on parks, streets and civic properties is protected under municipal bylaws and municipal care policies. This guide explains how to report vandalism to public art, how By-law Enforcement and city departments respond, typical enforcement steps, and how to appeal or follow up on a complaint. Where available we cite official City of Burnaby sources and contact pages so you can report damage, preserve evidence and understand potential penalties and processes.

Report promptly to preserve evidence.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement for damage to public art in Burnaby is handled by By-law Enforcement together with the department that manages the art (Parks, Arts and Culture or Facilities). Specific monetary fine amounts for public-art vandalism are not consistently itemized on the city pages cited below; see the references for bylaw texts and reporting contacts.[1] [2]

  • Monetary fines: not specified on the cited page.
  • Escalation: first offence versus repeat or continuing offences not specified on the cited page; enforcement may include multiple tickets or continued orders.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: orders to repair or restore, seizure of tools or materials, and referral to court are possible but specific measures are not specified on the cited page.
  • Enforcer and complaint pathway: By-law Enforcement is the primary contact for investigations; report via the city report form or contact page.[2]
  • Appeals and review: appeal routes or timelines for review are not specified on the cited pages; details are set out in the controlling bylaw text where applicable and via the City’s administrative procedures.[1]
Keep photos, dates and precise locations until the case is closed.

Applications & Forms

There is no separate "vandalism permit"; to report vandalism use the City of Burnaby online report system or By-law Enforcement contact pages. For matters related to the public art collection and restoration, contact the Public Art program directly via the city arts page.[3]

Common violations and practical penalties

  • Spray-paint or graffiti on sculptures or murals — enforcement action and clean-up orders; monetary amount not specified on cited page.
  • Physical damage (breaking, removal, defacement) — possible seizure, repair orders, and court referral; monetary amount not specified on cited page.
  • Unauthorized alterations (attachments, posters) — removal orders and fines or charges as per bylaws; amounts not specified on cited page.

How-To

  1. Document the scene: note exact location, date and time, and take clear photos from multiple angles.
  2. Preserve evidence: avoid disturbing tools or discarded materials if safe to do so.
  3. Report to the City of Burnaby using the online report form or By-law Enforcement contact; provide photos and location details.[2]
  4. If the art is part of the public art collection, notify the Public Art program so restoration planning can begin.[3]
  5. Follow up with the enforcement case number and retain records of communications and receipts for any voluntary repairs you perform with prior approval.

FAQ

Who enforces laws against public art vandalism in Burnaby?
By-law Enforcement, in coordination with Parks/Arts & Culture or Facilities, handles enforcement and investigations.
How do I report vandalism to public art?
Report using the City of Burnaby online report system or contact By-law Enforcement directly and supply photos and location details.
Are there set fines for damaging public art?
Specific fine amounts for public art vandalism are not specified on the cited city pages; see the consolidated bylaws for detailed offence sections where published.

Key Takeaways

  • Document and report immediately to help enforcement and restoration.
  • Use official City of Burnaby report channels for a formal complaint.
  • Monetary penalties and escalation details are referenced in the consolidated bylaws or are not specified on the cited pages.

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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.