Learn about Preliminary Plan Approval and how to apply for one
Preliminary Plan Approval (PPA) is granted by the Director, Planning and Development when a proposed development meets all the applicable zoning bylaw requirements or rezoning amendment bylaw.
You'll need a PPA when you propose a change of use, an increase in permitted floor area or a property's external appearance. The changes can be in the form of a new land use, building or structure–or of an addition or alteration to an existing land use, building or structure. All commercial, industrial, institutional and multi-family residential developments require a PPA–single and two-family dwellings do not.
The time it takes to process a PPA depends largely on the complexity of the application. You can expedite the process by ensuring the information you provide on your PPA forms is accurate and complete and responding promptly and thoroughly to the requirements outlined in the Burnaby Zoning Bylaw and set by the Planning Department.
What is the approval process for a PPA application?
The PPA approval occurs through 3 stages, with detailed steps noted below:
Download a print friendly guide to the City's Preliminary Plan Approval (step by step)
Preparing your application
You're encouraged to contact the Planning Department before you submit your PPA application and get clarity on:
- existing zoning regulations that apply to the subject property
- information you'll need for your application
The planning team can be reached by phone at 604-294-7400 or by email at [email protected].
You may also want to explore the following documents to help you through the process
It is recommend that you review these resources prior to preparing the application:
Complete and submit the following applicable forms to [email protected]. Hard copies are to follow once City staff confirm the application forms are complete.
- Land Title Search
- Legal plans or charges registered to the subject property
Full payment of the PPA fee is required at the time of application, either online or in person, as per the current Planning Department Fee Schedule.
Once an application is made with payment, City staff will email you with instructions on how to digitally submit a copy of your complete PPA set to [email protected].
Drawing submissions must be in standard metric or imperial dimensions (e.g. 1/8”, 1/16”, 1/32” Scale) on standard A1 sheets (or 24” x 36”). Drawing submissions should include (if applicable), but not be limited to:
- Title sheet with project title
- Project civic address
- Drawing list
- Applicant name and contact
- Architectural consultant’s name and contact
- Landscape consultant’s name and contact
- Land surveyor’s name and contact
- Site Survey:
- Topographic Survey
- Legal Plan with statutory rights-of-way, easements and covenants indicated
- Existing building area survey by area and residential strata/rental units (if applicable)
- Statistical Summary of Development Statistics (contact Planning for a complete list of applicable development statistics)
- Development phasing plan
- Loading plan
- Solid waste and recycling access plan
- Visitor parking turn-a-round diagram
- Site Plan (showing property dimensions, fully-dimensioned building location, including setbacks from property lines, parking and loading layouts, the location of road access to the property, landscaped areas, Streamside Protection and Enhancement Areas [SPEA], and all registered right-of-ways, easements or covenants)
- Floor plans (clearly dimensioned, with floor and uses areas noted)
- Exterior elevations of the building or structures indicating exterior finish materials and colours to be used, existing and proposed grade elevations and proposed height of the buildings or structures
- Typical building or structure cross-section indicating proposed floor to floor height and clearances
- A fire truck access plan indicating fire access route, existing and proposed fire hydrants, fire department connection
- A landscape plan including a detailed planting plan and plant list indicating common and botanical plant names, quantities of plants, size and/or spacing of plants, and SPEA (Streamside Protection and Enhancement Area, if required)
- A tree management plan including all existing protected trees, trees to be removed or retained, tree protection fences, location of replacement trees, and SPEA
Application review process
Once the application has been received, the Planning Department reviews the proposal to ensure it complies with zoning regulations and other policies established by City Council. The application is also sent to the Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Fire, Building, Fraser Health Authority and/or departments for review.
Once the Planning Department has completed its review, you are notified of all comments and requirements, and you may begin to remedy any noted deficiencies.
Application approval process
The finalized set of drawings is reviewed by the Planning Department, and when all the requirements have been satisfied, PPA will be granted. The approved application is then signed by the Director.
The application form must be validated with the signature of the registered owner(s). One set of drawings is returned to the applicant for their records, while another set is sent to the Building Department for use when applying for a Building Permit. If the proposed development requires rezoning and subdivision approval, PPA will only be granted after these approvals are completed.
How to pay
You can pay invoices online with your credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express) or in-person with cash, cheque or debit card. Per the City's Fee Recovery Bylaw 13640, we'll charge a fee of 1.75% on payments made with a credit card.
Next steps
Every development proposal needs additional approvals before it can proceed. For example:
You'll need a building permit to construct new buildings or structures or make additions or alterations to existing buildings or structures. Electrical, plumbing or other permits may also be required.
You need a PPA before you can apply for any building permit, except in the case of single and two-family buildings and tenant improvements that don't require a change of use.
A tree permit is required if the proposal involves cutting down (or damaging) protected tree(s).