Tools · Burnaby
Does your lot have room for a laneway home?
Enter your lot depth, width and lane access. The tool runs the same five-gate test our guide walks through by hand: footprint after setbacks and separation, lane access, servicing, trees, and grade, referenced to Burnaby Zoning Bylaw No. 14815.
| Rule | Figure | Why it decides the project |
|---|---|---|
| Front-to-rear building separation | 6.0 m | The single figure that ends the most projects on a shallow lot |
| Rear (lane) setback | 1.5 m | 3.0 m instead if no lane abuts, double the distance |
| Minimum lot width | 10 m | Leaves 7.6 m buildable after the 1.2 m side setbacks |
Source: Burnaby Zoning Bylaw No. 14815, Part 3-1.1.5, in effect July 1, 2026. Enter your exact lot below for your number.
Common questions
Laneway feasibility, in plain English.
How do I know if my Burnaby lot can take a laneway house?+
Test the envelope before paying for anything. Measure the lot depth, subtract the existing house, subtract the 6.0 m separation required between front and rear principal buildings, then subtract 1.5 m for the lane setback or 3.0 m where no lane abuts. What remains is the maximum depth available for the new building. This tool runs that same math for you.
What lot width do I need for a laneway home in Burnaby?+
Burnaby's R1 district sets a minimum lot width of 10 m and a minimum lot area of 281 m² for small-scale multi-unit housing. With the 1.2 m interior side yard setback applying on each side, a 10 m wide lot leaves 7.6 m of buildable width before eaves and other projections are counted against the separations.
Does a passing result mean the City will issue a permit?+
No. This tool checks the built-form math, setbacks, separation, lot width, against Bylaw 14815. Three of the five feasibility gates (servicing capacity, protected trees, and site grade) depend on information only a site visit or a call to the City can confirm. A passing result means the dimensions work; it is not a permit guarantee.
What is the single figure that disqualifies the most lots?+
The 6.0 m separation between the front and rear principal buildings. It is the figure that ends the most laneway projects, because a shallow lot or a house sited too far back can consume the depth before a rear building is even considered. This tool checks that figure first.
Do I need parking for a laneway home in Burnaby?+
It depends on transit proximity. Under Part 7-1 of Bylaw 14815, a lot within 400 m of a SkyTrain station or a frequent bus stop needs no parking space at all for the new dwelling. Outside that radius, a parking space is required, sited at the rear where lane or street access allows.
Can a protected tree stop a laneway house?+
Yes. Burnaby's tree bylaw restricts removal and protects the root zone around retained trees. A protected tree sitting in the buildable rectangle at the rear of a lot removes the area the building needed. This tool flags it as a check, it can't confirm which trees on a specific lot are protected.
Is a coach house the same as a laneway house under this tool?+
For the built-form figures this tool checks, height, setbacks, separation and lot width, yes, Bylaw 14815 regulates both as a rear principal building under the same rules. The difference between the two terms is about roofline and garage integration, not the zoning envelope. See our laneway vs. coach house guide for that distinction.
What happens if my lot fails the footprint gate?+
A failing footprint gate means the standard laneway envelope doesn't fit as measured. That doesn't end every option, a secondary suite inside the existing house, a smaller accessory building, or a heritage relief pathway (if the lot qualifies) can still work. Talk to a builder about which alternative fits your lot.