What is a development variance permit (DVP)?
A DVP is a land use permit application to vary the requirements of specific bylaws identified in section 498 of the Local Government Act, including but not limited to:
- Burnaby Zoning Bylaw, the requirements like building height, setbacks, off-street parking and loading and landscaping. The requirements related to use and density of land, residential rental tenure, and floodplain cannot be varied through DVP.
- Burnaby Subdivision Control Bylaw
- Burnaby Sign Bylaw
In Burnaby, DVPs may include “minor variances” for which the approval power is delegated to the General Manager, Planning and Development, and other non-minor variances which must be approved by Council.
Before you apply for a DVP
- Make sure to consider other alternatives to avoid or reduce the extent of the requested variance.
- Contact the Planning Department at 604-294-7400, or email [email protected] to find out if the requested variance is supportable. This may save you time, and help you with any concerns or questions you may have.
- Discuss your application with the owners and tenants of neighbouring properties to address their concerns as part of your proposal. If the site is strata, discuss your application with the strata council.
- Identify mitigating measures to ensure the requested variance does not impose significant impacts on the adjacent neighbourhood, streetscape or natural environment.
- Verify your proposal complies with the City’s bylaws and policies, except those that are subject to variance.
- Ensure you have included all the information and documents required in the requirements checklist as part of your application package.
Preparing your application
Submit your completed application form and supporting documents to [email protected]. If you have any questions regarding the application requirements, please contact the Planning Department.
Your application must include:
Application review
After you submit your DVP application, staff from appropriate City departments will review your proposal and may refer the application to external agencies.
Minor variances
Burnaby’s General Manager, Planning and Development will determine whether to issue the DVP and require any terms and conditions on the permit. The owner of the subject site may request Council to reconsider the General Manager’s decision or the terms and conditions included in it within 10 days of the decision being issued.
Board of Variance
The Board hears appeals and considers requests for minor variances to the Burnaby Zoning Bylaw regarding the siting, dimensions or size of a building but not those involving use or density due to undue hardship. Visit our Board of Variance page to learn how to apply.
Other variances
Non-minor DVP applications will be sent to Council for their review. Council will examine the potential impacts of the requested variance on the adjacent neighbourhood, streetscape, and natural environment, and make a decision. Council may approve the issuance of the permit, refer the application back to staff to be modified before being reconsidered, or refuse the application.
Generally, it takes approximately 2-3 months to process a minor variance DVP application, and 3 months for a standard DVP application. Where a DVP is part of a rezoning application, the processing time may be longer.
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.