Permits & Applications

For special events such as concerts, amusement rides and film projects, including filming in a studio or on location.

Anyone who is interested in placing an indoor sign on a property. 

For all outdoor signs, please refer to the Sign Permit. 

New! You can now apply for your  Electrical Permit - Indoor Sign online by logging into My Permits Portal.

Electrical permits for multi-family, commercial and industrial buildings. 

Please note: The Electrical Consent to Construction - Strata Buildings form (linked under additional information below) is required for all stand-alone electrical applications. 

For licensed contractors undertaking installation of electrical general, low voltage and temporary saw service work in new or existing single family, duplex dwellings, row housing, cottage courts or multiplexes. 

For permission to encroach on City right-of-way or property. 

Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC) Permit applications are made through the City’s Engineering Department and are required to be issued prior to the release of associated construction permits. ESC Permits are commonly associated with but not limited to Engineering Agreements, Building Permits and Soil Deposition/Removal Permits.

Single and two family construction sites do not require an ESC Permit but are required to follow Best Management Practices as outlined in the Sediment Control Measures for Residential Construction Sites guidelines (linked below). 

For more information, please contact Engineering Development Services.

For sprinkler contractors installing sprinkler heads for fire protection.

For installation of forced air heating system.

For gas contractors looking to fit all gas installations. Permits for gas installation of over 409,000 BTU can be obtained from the Provincial Safety Authority.

New! You can now apply for your Gas Permit online by logging into My Permits Portal.

For high-hazard fireworks, including rockets, serpents, shells, bomb-shells, tourbillions, maroons, large wheels, bouquets, barrages, bombardos, waterfalls and mines.

Additional information:

Fees: $110 (GST Exempt)

Send completed permit application to [email protected] for processing, or mail directly to the Administration Office (4867 Sperling Avenue, Burnaby, BC  V5E 2S9). 

Payment can be made in the form of cheque only; any payment drop-off must be scheduled in advance through the Fire Administration Office.

To safeguard the public and City assets, the Engineering department will review all aspects of a hoarding and shoring proposal. Please contact us with questions or to book an inspection. 

Effective January 1, 2025, projects applying for building permits that include excavations supported by soil anchors abutting City rights-of-way will be subject to a one-time fee. The fee will be calculated per square metre of the excavation face supported by anchor rods, as determined by a qualified professional engineer, in accordance with the Burnaby Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw. The fee must be paid in full prior to permit issuance. This one-time fee accounts for the long-term impact of anchor rods within the City’s rights-of-way.

For permission to temporarily use water from a City fire hydrant. 

For heating contractors installing hydronic heating systems in any self-contained residential unit.

For those needing an exemption to watering time restrictions. You can apply for this permit if you are caring for a new lawn (sod, turf or seed) or treating your lawn for European chafer beetles with the use of nematodes. 

To sell or serve liquor in the Province of BC, a liquor licence or permit is required. Applicants must first submit an application to the Province for a liquor licence. Once your Provincial retail licence application has been submitted, a referral will be made to the City of Burnaby by the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch. 

Learn more about the liquor licence application process on our Liquor Licences webpage.