Burnaby adopts height-based framework for zoning

Key Takeaways:

• The city has replaced complex floor area ratio (FAR) calculations with a simplified system that guides development using building height, making zoning easier to understand and speeding up approvals.
• A 50-storey rental tower at 7135 Walker Avenue, part of the BC Builds program, is the first development to receive preliminary approval under the new framework.
• The initiative is supported by the federal Housing Accelerator Fund and praised by provincial officials and developers as a model for accelerating housing and cutting red tape.

The Whole Story:

The City of Burnaby is overhauling its approach to zoning in an effort to tackle the housing crisis, becoming one of the first cities in North America to replace complex regulations with a simplified, height-based framework aimed at accelerating new home construction.

The new system abandons traditional floor area ratio (FAR) calculations—commonly used to guide development density—in favour of maximum building heights measured in storeys. Officials say the shift will make development rules easier to understand for residents and builders, while cutting red tape and development timelines.

“Addressing the housing crisis in our region requires real leadership and a drive to innovate at every step of the development process,” said Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley. “Switching to a height-based framework is part of our comprehensive approach to accelerating the number of homes we build in Burnaby – while also making it simple for everyone to understand how their neighbourhoods can develop.”

The city launched a Zoning Bylaw Rewrite in 2023 to modernize regulations that had become increasingly layered and inefficient since their adoption in 1965. Earlier this year, Burnaby collapsed 12 low-density zones into a single designation to support small-scale multi-unit housing.

The new height-based approach now applies to higher-density areas, including the city’s town centres. Officials say it provides clarity for residents, while allowing developers to focus more on design and form instead of negotiating complicated formulas.

Burnaby has already given preliminary approval to its first project under the new framework—a 50-storey rental tower at 7135 Walker Avenue, part of the BC Builds program. The project includes 384 market and 96 non-market rental units.

The Height-Based Development Framework is partially funded by the federal government’s Housing Accelerator Fund, which supports initiatives that streamline development approvals.

Federal and provincial officials praised Burnaby’s leadership. “By equipping municipalities with the tools and flexibility to address local challenges, Burnaby is better positioned to meet the growing housing demands of its residents,” said Terry Beech, MP for Burnaby North–Seymour.

Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon added that Burnaby’s approach aligns with B.C.’s push for faster housing delivery. “It’s important to find new and innovative ways to get more homes built faster,” he said.

Industry leaders also welcomed the move. Anne McMullin, president and CEO of the Urban Development Institute, called the new framework a model for other municipalities. Developers including Gracorp and Intracorp said the system encourages innovation and design excellence while offering greater predictability.