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By City | Burnaby

Burnaby: Step 3 Required, But No FSR Bonus for Going Further

Burnaby adopted Step 3 in 2024 — matching Vancouver's baseline requirement. But that is where the similarity ends. Burnaby does not offer an FSR exclusion or density bonus for exceeding Step 3. Going green beyond the minimum is a long-term operating cost play, not a density play. The main green advantage in Burnaby is reduced parking near transit, which can save $160K-$360K in construction costs.

Key Takeaways

  • ✓Step 3 required since 2024 for all new Burnaby multiplex projects. This is now the baseline.
  • ✓No FSR bonus for exceeding Step 3. Unlike Vancouver, green performance does not unlock extra density.
  • ✓Reduced parking near transit is the main green-adjacent financial lever — saving $160K-$360K per project.
  • ✓Going beyond Step 3 makes sense for long-term rental holds (10+ years) where operating savings compound.

Green Building Scores

Policy Ambition

3/5

Step 3 is solid but Burnaby lacks Vancouver's green density incentives. Middle of the pack.

Financial Incentive Strength

2/5

No municipal green incentives for small-scale projects. Only federal/provincial programs apply.

Transit-Linked Green Benefits

4/5

Parking elimination near transit saves real money. This is Burnaby's strongest green-adjacent lever.

Builder Expertise Available

3/5

Growing pool of Step 3+ builders. Fewer Passive House specialists than Vancouver.

Burnaby vs Vancouver Green Incentives

Incentive Vancouver Burnaby
Step Code requirement Step 3 (since 2023) Step 3 (since 2024)
FSR exclusion for near-zero 19% exclusion ($150K-$300K value) None
Parking reduction near transit Yes Yes — eliminated within 400 m of frequent transit
Municipal green grants Some programs available None for small-scale
CMHC MLI Select eligible Yes Yes

The gap between Vancouver and Burnaby on green incentives is significant. Vancouver's 19% FSR exclusion alone can justify the extra investment in near-zero performance.

When Going Beyond Step 3 Makes Sense

Worth It: Long-Term Rental Hold

If you plan to hold for 10+ years, Step 4 or 5 reduces operating costs by $1,500-$3,000/year per unit. Over 10 years across 4-6 units, that is $60K-$180K in cumulative savings. CMHC MLI Select adds another $5K-$15K.

Not Worth It: Build and Sell

Buyers do not pay a measurable premium for Step 4 vs Step 3 in Burnaby. Without an FSR bonus, the $20K-$40K cost premium for Step 4 is unlikely to be recovered at sale. Build to Step 3 and move on.

Best For

  • ✓ Transit-adjacent projects where parking elimination already saves $160K-$360K — reinvest some of that into better energy performance.
  • ✓ Long-term rental holds (10+ years) where operating cost savings compound and CMHC incentives reduce financing costs.
  • ✓ Builders who want to future-proof against Step Code tightening — Step 4 today may become the minimum in 2-3 years.

Usually Fails When

  • ✕ The project is a build-and-sell where buyers will not pay a premium for exceeding Step 3.
  • ✕ The budget is tight and the $20K-$40K Step 4 premium cannot be justified without an FSR bonus.
  • ✕ The builder lacks experience with high-performance envelopes and the cost overruns exceed projections.

What To Verify Before Spending Money

  • → Whether your lot is within 400 m of frequent transit for parking elimination savings.
  • → CMHC MLI Select eligibility requirements and the actual insurance premium reduction for your project size.
  • → Energy modelling costs early in design — a $3,000-$5,000 model can reveal whether Step 4 is cost-effective.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Step Code level does Burnaby require for multiplexes? +
Burnaby adopted Step 3 for Part 9 buildings in 2024. This applies to all new SSMUH multiplex projects. Step 3 requires roughly 40% better energy performance than the base building code.
Does Burnaby offer an FSR bonus for green buildings like Vancouver? +
No. Burnaby does not currently offer an FSR exclusion or density bonus for green building performance. Unlike Vancouver, going beyond Step 3 in Burnaby is a purely voluntary investment — the financial case rests on operating savings and CMHC incentives, not extra floor area.
Does Burnaby reduce parking requirements for EV-ready buildings near transit? +
Burnaby has reduced or eliminated parking minimums for SSMUH projects within 400 m of frequent transit. While this is not specifically an EV incentive, EV-ready buildings in these zones benefit from the parking reduction. Eliminating 4-6 stalls saves $160K-$360K in construction cost.
Is it worth going beyond Step 3 in Burnaby? +
It depends on your hold period. Without an FSR bonus, the payback for Step 4 or 5 relies entirely on operating cost savings ($1,500-$3,000/year per unit) and CMHC MLI Select savings. On a 10+ year rental hold, the numbers work. On a build-and-sell, they probably do not.
What green building incentives are available in Burnaby? +
CMHC MLI Select (reduced insurance premiums), BC Hydro rebates for heat pumps and energy modelling, and CleanBC grants for high-performance envelopes. There are no Burnaby-specific municipal green building incentives for small-scale projects as of 2026.

Official Burnaby Sources

City of Burnaby — Green Building Requirements
https://www.burnaby.ca/our-city/strategies-and-plans/environmental-sustainability-strategy
City of Burnaby — SSMUH Zoning
https://www.burnaby.ca/our-city/strategies-and-plans/small-scale-multi-unit-housing
BC Energy Step Code
https://energystepcode.ca/
CMHC MLI Select
https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/professionals/project-funding-and-mortgage-financing/mortgage-loan-insurance/multi-unit-insurance/mliselect

Compare With Nearby Cities

Vancouver → North Vancouver → Surrey →

Check Your Lot's Green Multiplex Potential

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