C9a Zoning in Burnaby — Urban Village Commercial
C9a — Urban Village Commercial is a commercial zoning district in the City of Burnaby. This District provides for a wide range of commercial and retail establishments with medium density multiple family dwellings located above the business premises.
On a typical C9a-zoned lot you can expect an FSR of roughly 1.2–2.2 and a maximum height of 16 m (4 storeys). Exact figures vary with lot size, frontage, and form of development — look up your specific address to confirm.
Intent of the C9a district
This District provides for a wide range of commercial and retail establishments with medium density multiple family dwellings located above the business premises.
C9a at a glance
| Floor space ratio (FSR) | 1.2–2.2 |
|---|---|
| Max height | 16 m |
| Max storeys (by right) | 4 |
| Zone category | Commercial |
Density tiers in C9a
| Tier | Min lot area | Max units | FSR | Max height |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Village Commercial | 929 m² | — | 2.2 | 16 m |
Permitted uses in C9a
- Banks
- Business/Professional Offices
- Cafes/Restaurants (no drive-in)
- Clubs/Lodges (2nd storey+)
- Commercial Schools
- Personal Services
- Public Assembly/Entertainment (2nd storey+)
- Residential Sales Centres
- Retail (new/used goods)
- Studios (2nd storey+)
- Dwelling Units (2nd storey+, incl. rental)
- Child Care
- Fitness/Health
- Supportive Housing (Cat A & B, CD plan)
- Cyber Entertainment
- Emergency Shelters
- Fire Halls
- Liquor Licence Establishments
- Accessory Buildings/Uses
C9a zoning FAQ
What is C9a zoning in Burnaby?
C9a (Urban Village Commercial) is a commercial zoning district in the City of Burnaby. This District provides for a wide range of commercial and retail establishments with medium density multiple family dwellings located above the business premises.
What can you build on C9a-zoned land in Burnaby?
Permitted uses in C9a include Banks, Business/Professional Offices, Cafes/Restaurants (no drive-in), Clubs/Lodges (2nd storey+), Commercial Schools, among others. Permitted uses are allowed outright; conditional uses may require Development Permit Board approval.
What is the FSR for C9a in Burnaby?
Floor Space Ratio (FSR) in C9a generally ranges from about 1.2 up to 2.2. ZoneScout calculates the maximum buildable floor area for your specific lot.
How tall can a building be in C9a?
C9a permits a maximum building height of 16 m, generally about 4 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