Hardscaping Contractor in Burnaby
Burnaby is built across some of the most dramatic hills in Metro Vancouver. From Capitol Hill and Burnaby Mountain to the south slope dropping toward the Fraser River, the city's terrain creates both stunning views and serious engineering challenges. Whether you are in an established Buckingham Heights home overlooking Deer Lake or rebuilding on a South Slope lot, hardscaping in Burnaby almost always involves managing grade changes, retaining walls, and proper drainage.
The R1 zone — Burnaby's primary residential district — caps impervious surfaces at 70% of the lot, which includes driveways, patios, walkways, and building footprint combined. Lot coverage for buildings ranges from 40% for standard homes to 55% for rowhouses. Burnaby also has the lowest front yard fence height in the region at just 1.07m, so front yard design requires careful planning around that limit.
Burnaby's hillier terrain means north-facing slopes retain moisture longer, frost is more common at higher elevations near SFU and Capitol Hill, and water runoff during rain events is a serious design consideration. We engineer every Burnaby project for the specific slope, soil conditions, and drainage patterns of the lot — because what works on flat ground does not work at 200 metres of elevation.
Neighbourhoods We Serve
Local Regulations You Should Know
Fence Heights — 1.07m Front Yard (Lowest in Region)
Burnaby's front yard fence maximum is 1.07m — lower than the standard 1.2m found in most other Lower Mainland cities. Side and rear fences can reach 1.8m. Fences on retaining walls must use visually dissimilar material from the wall itself.
Source: Zoning Bylaw 4742, §6.14.2
Retaining Walls — 1.2m Max, Terracing Rules
Maximum retaining wall height is 1.2m at any point. Terraced walls must have horizontal distance between them equal to or greater than the height of the taller wall (1:1 minimum ratio). Walls over 1.2m or improperly spaced terraces require a building permit plus a Professional Engineer. Plumbing permit required for drain tile connection to city storm sewer.
Source: Zoning Bylaw 4742, §6.14.1; Fences & Retaining Walls Guide
70% Maximum Impervious Surface (R1 Zone)
No more than 70% of a residential lot can be covered by impervious materials — buildings, driveways, patios, walkways, and structures combined. This is a significant factor when designing large driveway or patio projects.
Source: R1 District Schedule, Zoning Bylaw 4742
Tree Protection — Two-Tier System
Burnaby uses a two-tier tree protection system. On development sites, all trees 20cm+ DBH are protected. On non-development residential lots, conifers 30cm+ and broadleaf trees 45cm+ are protected. Permit fees are $70/tree (non-development) or $150/tree (development). Penalties range from $500 per ticket to $10,000 on prosecution.
Source: Burnaby Tree Bylaw; Tree Bylaw Schedule A
Wood-Burning Fire Pits Prohibited
Wood-burning fire pits are banned under the Metro Vancouver air quality bylaw. CSA/ULC-certified gas and propane appliances are allowed. Fixed gas connections require a gas permit.
Source: Metro Vancouver Bylaw 1303; Burnaby Fire Services Bylaw 11860
Permit Fees in Burnaby
| Permit Type | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Building Permit (up to $1,000 value) | $78 flat |
| Building Permit ($10,000 value) | ~$285 |
| Building Permit ($25,000 value) | ~$593 |
| Tree Removal (non-development) | $70/tree (max $500) |
Fees are approximate and may change. Contact 604-294-7130 for current rates.