About the Official Community Plan (OCP) Draft Land Use Map
A new Land Use Map is being created for the new Burnaby 2050 OCP. The map visualizes how land will be used to achieve the community’s vision for the future, including the types of uses permitted in each parcel in the city.
In previous phases of engagement for the Burnaby 2050 OCP, we gathered input on the community’s vision for the future and how and where growth should be managed. The draft Land Use Map has been developed based on the community’s priorities on how land across the city should be used in the future. Share your feedback on the draft Land Use Map by taking the online survey or commenting on the map. The deadline to participate is Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Interactive map
Survey
OCP land use designations
Designation categories | Description and intended uses |
---|---|
Neighbourhood Commercial | Local-serving commercial, such as corner stores, small grocery stores, and coffee shops |
General Commercial | City-serving commercial, such as larger grocery or retail stores, offices, and health clinics. |
Employment | Light industrial uses, offices, private recreation facilities, creative employment uses |
Industrial | Limited heavy industrial, manufacturing, warehousing |
Agriculture | Agricultural uses and retail sale of agricultural products |
Institutional | Institutional, cultural, recreational and educational uses, such as schools, libraries, recreation facilities |
Park, Open Space, and Natural Areas | Public parks, public or private open spaces including plazas or greenways, natural and conservation areas |
Small-scale Multi-unit Housing | Residential multiplex up to 4 units and up to 6 units in locations 400m from a frequent transit bus stop |
Townhouse | Residential (4 storeys) |
Low-Rise Apartment 1 | Residential (4 storeys) |
Low-Rise Apartment 2 | Residential (6 storeys, or 8 storeys for sites within 800m of a SkyTrain station) |
Mid-Rise Apartment 1 | Residential (12 storeys) |
Mid-Rise Apartment 2 | Residential (20 storeys) |
High-Rise Apartment 1 | Residential (30 storeys) |
High-Rise Apartment 2 | Residential (40 storeys) |
High-Rise Apartment 3 | Residential (50+ storeys) |
Special Study Area | Indicate future work to determine the long-term transition of existing uses. |
Each of these designations match a primary Zoning District in the new Zoning Bylaw and align with new Provincial Legislation on Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing and Transit Oriented Areas.
For a location’s base designation, refer to the colour of the parcel shown in the Land Use Map and the table above. Parcels with multiple designations are shown through Land Use Overlays. Overlays are indicated by a solid colour line around the parcel and show what additional uses beyond the base designation are possible, or what other requirements and permissions need consideration upon the development of a site.
This survey is administered by the City of Burnaby. Personal information collected and used for the purpose of receiving information regarding the Official Community Plan will be managed in accordance with s. 26 (c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. All personal information collected through this survey will remain confidential and de-identified when shared with the public. For questions regarding the collection of Personal Information and receipt of electronic messages please contact: Corporate Communications and Marketing at communications@burnaby.ca.
Open houses
Join us at an open house to learn more, ask questions and give us your feedback.
Please note registration is required to attend the virtual open house, the deadline to sign-up is Sunday, September 22. Registration for in-person open houses is encouraged, but not required. Registration helps us estimate numbers and provide attendees with any additional support or accommodations they may need to participate.
Dates and locations
Background information
The population of Burnaby is expected to grow by more than 100,000 new residents by 2050. The City is planning ahead to accommodate a bigger population and meet the needs of current and future residents. The Land Use Map shows where different housing types and services could be added in the future. This helps the City plan ahead to support development by coordinating infrastructure, utilities, and transit. It also allows residents, landowners, and City staff to have a shared understanding of Burnaby’s future, and the neighbourhoods within it.
The draft Land Use Map proposes higher-density housing around existing town centres and urban villages, while adding new medium-density growth along transit corridors and in local neighbourhood centres. It also plans to add and expand amenities, such as schools, in growing neighbourhoods.
The draft OCP Land Use Map shows how each parcel in Burnaby could be used in the future through land use designations and land use overlays.
Land use designations are different categories for how land can be used, and the heights and types of buildings allowed on a parcel. Some examples of land use designations include agriculture, commercial, and residential use. Each parcel on the Land Use Map is colour coded to show the proposed land use designations.
Land use overlays show parcels where multiple uses may be allowed or there are additional requirements for using the land. These are shown on the Land Use Map with different coloured outlines around a parcel.
The Burnaby 2050 draft Land Use Map was developed with 10 Policy Objectives that are based on the community’s vision and values and align with local land use legislation and policy.
In previous phases of the Burnaby 2050 OCP engagement, community members were asked to share what they love about Burnaby, what they want to change, what they want to keep, as well as how and where growth should be focused across the city. This draft Land Use Map was designed to reflect the input and feedback shared by residents and community partners over the past three years.
Policy objective | How the Objective is met in the map |
---|---|
1. Respond to community input | The OCP Land Use Map is informed by the feedback community members provided on potential growth scenarios in spring 2024. |
2. Transit oriented development | New residential and employment growth is close to rapid transit, frequent transit and the standard bus network. |
3. Diverse housing forms | The needs of different people and families are considered with more medium-density housing and buildings that have individual entrances to each unit. |
4. Climate Action | New pedestrian and road connections are proposed to improve walkability and connectivity, enabling more people to walk, bike or roll more easily. New growth and density are focused in the areas of the city that are the most resilient to the impacts of climate change. New density is not supported in areas with known natural hazards. |
5. Access to parks and natural areas | New and expanded park land is proposed, especially in areas that are expected to grow. |
6. Access to amenities | New and expanded public amenities are proposed in areas that are expected to grow. |
7. Complete communities | Neighborhood commercial centres are proposed in residential areas across the city, creating opportunities for new shops and amenities closer to where people live. |
8. Support a sustainable economy and create jobs | Lands that are designated for agriculture, industrial or employment are protected for employment uses. New areas for commercial use have been identified, primarily in Town Centres and along key transit corridors. |
9. Improved built form & urban design | Heights gradually decrease further away from Town Centres and transit corridors. |
10. Advance Reconciliation | Special Study Areas show where more studies are needed to determine how to transition their current use over the long-term. For sites along the Burrard Inlet, studies should consider opportunities for environmental conservation and restoration, aligning with Burnaby’s commitment to Reconciliation through land stewardship. |
Alongside the Land Use Map development, the City is creating a Development Permit (DP) program for streamside protections and enhancement prompted by development. The City has existing streamside protection policies and regulations since the late 1990s, with an amendment in 2005, which are embedded in various City processes and references. Having a development permit is an opportunity to update and put all the policies and processes into one coherent place program.
Learn more about how the City is currently protecting streamside areas.