Form and Character Development Permit Design Guidelines
About this project
Burnaby is developing guidelines to shape the form and character of multi-family apartment, commercial and industrial development. Form and character generally refer to the outward facing elements of a building, including landscaping, siting, circulation and access, building shape, exterior design and finishes. The intent of the Form and Character Development Permit Design Guidelines is to inform the planning and design of development proposals, and to support our development review processes in assessing conformity with the City's development policies. More broadly, the objective of the Form and Character Guidelines is to promote urban design excellence in the city's built environment—including for both street level spaces and building architecture—and support Burnaby as a highly livable and welcoming place to live.
The process
The creation of the Guidelines is happening over 4 phases and is anticipated to be complete by the end of 2025. Throughout the process, we'll be consulting with subject matter experts, key stakeholders, and members of the public. Some of the consultation will be completed in coordination with the Official Community Plan (OCP) project process.
What's happening now
Phase 1
During this phase of work, the City is working to understand key priorities, opportunities and challenges to inform the development of the Guidelines during future stages. This work includes analyzing research findings, consulting with local expertise and scanning to identify global best practices.
Questions and answers
As provided under the Local Government Act, the forthcoming new Burnaby Official Community Plan (OCP) will identify Development Permit Areas in the city. The OCP will also define policies for special conditions and requirements for development within the Development Permit Area, including guidance respecting the character of development, including landscaping, and the siting, form, exterior design and finish of buildings and other structures. This guidance will be provided through the Guidelines.
All development subject to the requirements of the Development Permit Area will be reviewed for conformity with the Guidelines and must demonstrate compliance before a Development Permit is approved.
As part of the development application review process, proposals received by the City will be reviewed to assess how the proposal aligns with the intent and direction of the Guidelines. City staff will work with applicants to identify ways and opportunities to achieve the Guideline objectives and bring a proposal into conformity. All development proposals need to comply with the applicable Guidelines. Applicants will be encouraged to review the Guidelines as they prepare their development proposals and consider the objectives and directions in their approach to design.
The City of Burnaby's Zoning Bylaw regulates the development and use of land, and the location, height and other requirements of buildings and structures. The purpose of zoning is to, among other things, promote health, safety, and the welfare of the public, and mitigate land use conflicts. The Zoning Bylaw is regulatory and not discretionary. All development in the city must comply with the Bylaw.
Design guidelines provide direction for development to achieve a high level of design quality and function, while operating within the regulations of the Zoning Bylaw. The Guidelines are discretionary, and provide opportunities for design creativity, innovation and flexibility to address unique circumstances. While applicants must demonstrate how their projects conform with the Guidelines, there are usually multiple ways of satisfying the objectives, provided the intent is achieved.
Development permit transition
The Guidelines are also part of the City's ongoing improvements to permit approvals through the Development Approvals Process (DAP) Project. The goals of the DAP Project include increasing transparency in the application process, providing a simpler and faster experience, and reducing processing times for development and building permits. As part DAP, the City is transitioning to a Development Permit system to replace the current Preliminary Plan Approval (PPA) process. Development Permits will allow for a consolidated approach to development approval, and in addition to form and character, can address other issues including storm water and groundwater management, streamside protection, energy and water conservation and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.