P5 Zoning in Burnaby — Community Institutional
P5 — Community Institutional is a public & institutional zoning district in the City of Burnaby. This District provides for the accommodation of residentially-oriented institutional uses at a scale designed to serve an area composed of a number of residential neighbourhoods.
On a typical P5-zoned lot you can expect a maximum height of 12 m (2 storeys) and site coverage up to 40%. Exact figures vary with lot size, frontage, and form of development — look up your specific address to confirm.
Intent of the P5 district
This District provides for the accommodation of residentially-oriented institutional uses at a scale designed to serve an area composed of a number of residential neighbourhoods.
P5 at a glance
| Max height | 12 m |
|---|---|
| Max storeys (by right) | 2 |
| Site coverage | 40% |
| Zone category | Public & Institutional |
Density tiers in P5
| Tier | Min lot area | Max units | FSR | Max height |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community Institutional | 890 m² | — | — | 12 m |
Permitted uses in P5
- Children's Institutions
- Places of Public Worship
- Child Care
- Rest Homes/Private Hospitals
- Private Elementary/Secondary Schools
- Senior Citizens Housing Projects
- Dormitories (on-site, serving institution)
- Dwellings (serving private hospital/rest home)
- Minister/Caretaker/Watchman Dwelling
- Home Occupations (excl. home-based child care)
- Supportive Housing (Cat A & B, CD plan)
- Emergency Shelters
- Fire Halls
- Accessory Buildings/Uses
P5 zoning FAQ
What is P5 zoning in Burnaby?
P5 (Community Institutional) is a public & institutional zoning district in the City of Burnaby. This District provides for the accommodation of residentially-oriented institutional uses at a scale designed to serve an area composed of a number of residential neighbourhoods.
What can you build on P5-zoned land in Burnaby?
Permitted uses in P5 include Children's Institutions, Places of Public Worship, Child Care, Rest Homes/Private Hospitals, Private Elementary/Secondary Schools, among others. Permitted uses are allowed outright; conditional uses may require Development Permit Board approval.
How tall can a building be in P5?
P5 permits a maximum building height of 12 m, generally about 2 storeys. 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
- P2a — Institutional – School Sub-District
- P3 — Park and Public Use
- P4 — Cemetery
- P6 — Regional Institutional
- P7 — Special Institutional
Look up a specific address in Burnaby
Source: official Burnaby zoning bylaw (PDF) · updated August 2026