C2a Zoning in Burnaby — Community Commercial
C2a — Community Commercial is a commercial zoning district in the City of Burnaby. This District provides for the daily and occasional shopping needs of residents of several neighbourhoods, as well as providing for rental units located above the business premises.
On a typical C2a-zoned lot you can expect an FSR of roughly 1.0–1.3, a maximum height of 12 m (3 storeys), and site coverage up to 50%. Exact figures vary with lot size, frontage, and form of development — look up your specific address to confirm.
Intent of the C2a district
This District provides for the daily and occasional shopping needs of residents of several neighbourhoods, as well as providing for rental units located above the business premises.
C2a at a glance
| Floor space ratio (FSR) | 1.0–1.3 |
|---|---|
| Max height | 12 m |
| Max storeys (by right) | 3 |
| Site coverage | 50% |
| Zone category | Commercial |
Density tiers in C2a
| Tier | Min lot area | Max units | FSR | Max height |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community Commercial | 560 m² | — | 1.3 | 12 m |
Permitted uses in C2a
- Animal Hospitals
- Banks
- Beverage Container Return Centres (≤280m2)
- Business/Professional Offices
- Cafes/Restaurants (no drive-in)
- Clubs/Lodges
- Gas Stations (C6 regs apply)
- Fitness/Health Facilities
- Personal Services
- Public Assembly/Entertainment
- Retail
- Child Care
- Home Occupations
- Purpose-Built Rental (above ground floor, CD plan, < 50% of GFA)
- Emergency Shelters
- Cyber Entertainment
- Fire Halls
- Liquor Stores (>1km)
- Cannabis Stores (>1km)
- Accessory Buildings/Uses
C2a zoning FAQ
What is C2a zoning in Burnaby?
C2a (Community Commercial) is a commercial zoning district in the City of Burnaby. This District provides for the daily and occasional shopping needs of residents of several neighbourhoods, as well as providing for rental units located above the business premises.
What can you build on C2a-zoned land in Burnaby?
Permitted uses in C2a include Animal Hospitals, Banks, Beverage Container Return Centres (≤280m2), Business/Professional Offices, Cafes/Restaurants (no drive-in), among others. Permitted uses are allowed outright; conditional uses may require Development Permit Board approval.
What is the FSR for C2a in Burnaby?
Floor Space Ratio (FSR) in C2a generally ranges from about 1.0 up to 1.3. ZoneScout calculates the maximum buildable floor area for your specific lot.
How tall can a building be in C2a?
C2a permits a maximum building height of 12 m, generally about 3 storeys. Height can be affected by view corridors, setbacks, and the specific form of development.
Other commercial zones in Burnaby
- C1 — Neighbourhood Commercial
- C1f — Neighbourhood Commercial
- C2 — General Commercial
- C2c — Community Commercial
- C2f — Community Commercial
- C2h — Community Commercial
- C2i — Community Commercial
- C3 — General Commercial
Look up a specific address in Burnaby
Source: official Burnaby zoning bylaw (PDF) · updated August 2026