Local rules that affect excavation

Checked October 2026. Each point below links to Burnaby’s own bylaw or web page. Bylaws change, so confirm with Burnaby before work starts. General information, not legal advice.

Shoring and anchors

Hoarding and shoring plans are required before the building permit is issued. Projects applying for building permits from January 1, 2025 pay a one-time fee for excavations supported by soil anchors abutting City rights-of-way, charged per square metre of excavation face supported by anchor rods. Source: City of Burnaby: Engineering development review

Soil and erosion

The Burnaby Soil Deposit Bylaw requires a permit for all soil deposition on any property in the city. Source: City of Burnaby: Soil deposition permit (PDF)
ESC permits are commonly tied to engineering agreements, building permits and soil permits, and construction must not start until the ESC permit is issued or deemed not required. Single- and two-family sites do not need one. Source: City of Burnaby: ESC permit applications (PDF)

Tree protection

On sites with a development application, any tree 20 cm or greater in diameter is protected; on other sites, conifers from 30 cm and deciduous trees from 45 cm. Source: City of Burnaby: Trees

Provincial and federal rules apply too

Municipal bylaws sit on top of provincial and federal rules: BC 1 Call locates and WorkSafeBC requirements on every dig, the Agricultural Land Commission for fill in the ALR, soil relocation notifications for some commercial and industrial sites, and the Water Sustainability Act and Fisheries Act near streams. Our Excavation permits checklist for BC projects links each one to its source.

PCE in Burnaby

PCE is based in Langley and works across Metro Vancouver. Services we take on here:

Excavation in Burnaby