C3 Zoning in Burnaby — General Commercial
C3 — General Commercial is a commercial zoning district in the City of Burnaby. This District is designed to serve the needs of a large consumer population, both on a local and a municipal level, as well as providing for rental units located above the business premises.
On a typical C3-zoned lot you can expect an FSR of roughly 5.0–6.0 and a maximum height of 37 m (10 storeys). Exact figures vary with lot size, frontage, and form of development — look up your specific address to confirm.
Intent of the C3 district
This District is designed to serve the needs of a large consumer population, both on a local and a municipal level, as well as providing for rental units located above the business premises.
C3 at a glance
| Floor space ratio (FSR) | 5.0–6.0 |
|---|---|
| Max height | 37 m |
| Max storeys (by right) | 10 |
| Zone category | Commercial |
Density tiers in C3
| Tier | Min lot area | Max units | FSR | Max height |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Commercial | 560 m² | — | 6.0 | 37 m |
Permitted uses in C3
- Automobile/Boat/Trailer Sales
- Hotels/Motels
- Parking Garages
- Shopping Centres
- Theatres/Cinemas
- Amusement Arcades
- Funeral Parlours
- Rental Equipment
- Residential Sales Centres
- Purpose-Built Rental (above ground floor, CD plan)
- Emergency Shelters
- Cyber Entertainment
- Fire Halls
- Liquor Stores
- Cannabis Stores
- Accessory Buildings/Uses
C3 zoning FAQ
What is C3 zoning in Burnaby?
C3 (General Commercial) is a commercial zoning district in the City of Burnaby. This District is designed to serve the needs of a large consumer population, both on a local and a municipal level, as well as providing for rental units located above the business premises.
What can you build on C3-zoned land in Burnaby?
Permitted uses in C3 include Automobile/Boat/Trailer Sales, Hotels/Motels, Parking Garages, Shopping Centres, Theatres/Cinemas, among others. Permitted uses are allowed outright; conditional uses may require Development Permit Board approval.
What is the FSR for C3 in Burnaby?
Floor Space Ratio (FSR) in C3 generally ranges from about 5.0 up to 6.0. ZoneScout calculates the maximum buildable floor area for your specific lot.
How tall can a building be in C3?
C3 permits a maximum building height of 37 m, generally about 10 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
- C2a — Community Commercial
- C2c — Community Commercial
- C2f — Community Commercial
- C2h — Community Commercial
- C2i — Community Commercial
Look up a specific address in Burnaby
Source: official Burnaby zoning bylaw (PDF) · updated August 2026