P2a Zoning in Burnaby — Institutional – School Sub-District
P2a — Institutional – School Sub-District is a public & institutional zoning district in the City of Burnaby. The intent of this sub-district is to identify lands for existing or potential future school use.
P2a permits 8 storeys by right, rising to as much as 20 only where the bylaw's conditions are met — see the height note below.
Intent of the P2a district
The intent of this sub-district is to identify lands for existing or potential future school use. The P2 Institutional District regulations otherwise apply.
P2a at a glance
| Max storeys (by right) | 8 |
|---|---|
| Max storeys (conditional) | 20 |
| Zone category | Public & Institutional |
8 storeys by right, up to 20 conditional. Maximum height is 8 storeys, except 4 storeys for cemeteries, 6 for institutional residential uses, 12 for post-secondary institutions (applying to every permitted use on land the institution owns, leases or controls) and 20 for hospitals. Additional storeys are permitted where the lot carries a residential overlay zoning district, in which case at least 5% of gross floor area must remain non-residential P2 use and a share of the dwelling units must be non-market rental (Part 6 s.2.4).
Density tiers in P2a
| Tier | Min lot area | Max units | FSR | Max height |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Institutional – School Sub-District | — | — | — | — |
Permitted uses in P2a
- All P1 District principal uses
- Cemetery
- Correctional and Parole Facilities
- Crematoria
- Educational Services
- Health Care Facility
- Hospital
- Office
- Religious Assembly
- Research and Development
- Social Service Centre
- Transportation Facility
- Utility Services
- Works Yard
- Aftercare and Rehabilitation Centre
- Congregate Housing
- Dormitory
- Non-Market Rental Housing
- Supportive Housing
- Transitional Housing
- All P1 secondary uses
- Animal Care (secondary)
- Artist Studio or Workshop (secondary)
- Financial Institution (secondary)
- Production and Rehearsal Studio (secondary)
- Recreation and Fitness (secondary)
- Visitor Accommodation (secondary)
- Home Occupation (accessory)
P2a zoning FAQ
What is P2a zoning in Burnaby?
P2a (Institutional – School Sub-District) is a public & institutional zoning district in the City of Burnaby. The intent of this sub-district is to identify lands for existing or potential future school use.
What can you build on P2a-zoned land in Burnaby?
Permitted uses in P2a include All P1 District principal uses, Cemetery, Correctional and Parole Facilities, Crematoria, Educational Services, among others. Permitted uses are allowed outright; conditional uses may require Development Permit Board approval.
How tall can a building be in P2a?
P2a permits a maximum of 8 storeys. A further increase to 20 storeys is conditional, not by right. Maximum height is 8 storeys, except 4 storeys for cemeteries, 6 for institutional residential uses, 12 for post-secondary institutions (applying to every permitted use on land the institution owns, leases or controls) and 20 for hospitals. Additional storeys are permitted where the lot carries a residential overlay zoning district, in which case at least 5% of gross floor area must remain non-residential P2 use and a share of the dwelling units must be non-market rental (Part 6 s.2.4). Height can be affected by view corridors, setbacks, and the specific form of development.
Other public & institutional zones in Burnaby
- P1 — Parks, Open Spaces and Natural Areas
- P1a — Parks, Open Spaces and Natural Areas – Natural Areas Sub-District
- P2 — Institutional
- P3 — Park and Public Use
- P4 — Cemetery
- P5 — Community Institutional
- P6 — Regional Institutional
- P7 — Special Institutional
Look up a specific address in Burnaby
Source: official Burnaby zoning bylaw (PDF) · updated August 2026