Renovations
Burnaby Home Renovation Permits — What You Actually Need in 2026
In Burnaby you need a building permit for structural changes, new or relocated walls, secondary suites, decks over 600 mm, and most plumbing or electrical alterations. Cosmetic work — paint, flooring, trim, and like-for-like cabinet replacement — does not require a permit.
The City of Burnaby requires building permits for most structural, plumbing, electrical, and gas work — and they actively inspect. A surprise stop-work order can add weeks and thousands to a renovation. Here's the plain-English version.
Projects that DO need a Burnaby permit
- ·Removing or moving any load-bearing wall
- ·Basement suites (legal secondary suites)
- ·New plumbing fixtures or relocations
- ·Electrical beyond like-for-like swaps
- ·New windows or doors that change rough openings
- ·Decks over 24" off grade
- ·Additions, garages, accessory buildings
Projects that typically do NOT need a permit
- ·Replacing flooring, cabinets, countertops in the existing footprint
- ·Painting, trim, crown moulding, wainscoting
- ·Like-for-like fixture swaps
- ·Built-in cabinetry without electrical/plumbing changes
- ·Interior doors, baseboard, casing
Typical Burnaby timelines
- ·Simple permits (deck, basement reno): 3–6 weeks
- ·Complex permits (suite, addition): 8–16 weeks
- ·Pre-application meetings can shave weeks off — use them
Inspections you'll need
- ·Framing
- ·Insulation/vapour barrier
- ·Drywall (pre-board)
- ·Plumbing rough-in & final
- ·Electrical rough-in & final
- ·Final building
Each one needs to pass before the next trade comes in. Skipping inspections = forced demo later.
How we handle Burnaby permits for clients
For full renovation packages, Right Group manages the entire permit submission, drawings coordination, and inspection scheduling — so you don't have to deal with City of Burnaby intake desks.
Planning a Burnaby renovation? Get a free quote and we'll scope the permits with you.
Frequently Asked
Questions we get asked
Do I need a permit to renovate my home in Burnaby?
You need a City of Burnaby building permit for structural work, wall changes, secondary suites, decks over 600 mm high, and most plumbing or electrical alterations. Cosmetic renovations such as paint, flooring, and trim do not require a permit.
How long does a Burnaby renovation permit take?
Simple interior alteration permits commonly take four to eight weeks, while secondary suite and structural applications often run eight to sixteen weeks depending on completeness of drawings and review load.
What does a renovation permit cost in Burnaby?
Permit fees are based on construction value, so most interior renovations land in the several-hundred to low-thousands range, plus any plumbing, electrical, and plan-review fees.
What happens if I renovate without a permit?
Unpermitted work can trigger stop-work orders, fines, and mandatory removal, and it frequently surfaces during a sale or insurance claim. Retroactive permitting is possible but usually more expensive than doing it correctly upfront.