Practical Burnaby: Garbage and Recycling, Parking, Permits, Libraries and Community Centres

New to Burnaby, or just need to sort out the basics? Here is the practical information residents ask for most — garbage and recycling, parking, permits, libraries and community centres — all in one place.

Garbage, recycling and green bin

Burnaby uses curbside collection for single-family homes:

• Garbage: collected every other week
• Recycling: collected weekly — mixed containers, glass jars and bottles, and mixed paper
• Green bin (food scraps and yard waste): collected weekly

Set bins out by 7 am on your collection day, with 1 metre (3 ft) of space on all sides and 3 metres (10 ft) of clearance above. Remove bins from the lane or street by 8 pm on collection day. Rinse receptacles weekly with mild soap. Do not pour soapy water onto grass or gravel.

Plastic bags are not accepted in curbside recycling. Use the Burnaby Collection App for reminders, to look up your collection day, and to check what goes where at Burnaby.ca/RecycleItRight.

The Eco-Centre accepts items that do not go in curbside bins — electronics, styrofoam, plastic bags, books and clothing, cooking oil, antifreeze and propane tanks. Burnaby's yard waste drop-off is free for residents with a load of 100 kg or less, limit one free visit per day.

Waste collection may be disrupted during snow and ice. The City issues advisories on Burnaby.ca, social media and the collection app. For collection questions, call 604-294-7972.

Download the 2026 Curbside Collection Calendar at Burnaby.ca/RecyclingandGarbage.

Parking

Burnaby is moving to pay stations and pay parking signage in many areas, with a new parking meter and electric vehicle charging meter bylaw. The City Council has been considering repealing and replacing the Burnaby parking meter bylaw to bring forward bylaw amendments for pay stations.

In practice:

• Metrotown, Brentwood and Lougheed have paid parking in malls and on-street in town centres. Check signs — time limits and rates vary by block.
• Residential streets near SkyTrain stations often have resident-only or time-limited parking. Check the sign on your block.
• Payment-in-lieu of parking fees apply to developments that do not provide required off-street parking — $25,827.50 per space not provided, under the City's fees bylaw.

For EV charging, Burnaby has public chargers in town centres and City facilities. Check the City's EV charging map before you rely on a specific charger.

Permits

Most home work in Burnaby needs a permit — building, plumbing, electrical, tree removal and soil removal are the common ones. The City's Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw, in effect January 1, 2026, sets permit fees.

Examples from the 2026 fees bylaw:

• Soil removal permit: application fee, plus fees by volume
• Transportation-related fees: per permit $314 for some applications

Apply through Burnaby.ca. For a simple renovation, start with the City's permit centre — do not start work and apply later. The City can be reached at 604-294-7290 for fees and permits.

Libraries — Burnaby Public Library

Burnaby Public Library has four branches: Bob Prittie Metrotown, McGill, Tommy Douglas and Cameron. The library offers free membership for Burnaby residents, books, e-books, computers, printing, study space and programs for children, teens and adults.

The library also has guides for newcomers, with free and low-cost services for immigrants in Burnaby and surrounding areas. Visit bpl.bc.ca for hours, which vary by branch.

Community centres

Burnaby has community centres across the city, run by the City and by community associations. The main ones to know:

• Bonsor Recreation Complex — south Burnaby, near Metrotown
• Confederation Community Centre — north Burnaby, 4585 Albert Street, home to the Confederation Seniors' Centre
• Edmonds Community Centre — south Burnaby, home to the Edmonds Festival of Lights on November 28
• Eileen Dailly Pool and Fitness Centre — central Burnaby
• Burnaby Lake Sports Complex and Bill Copeland Sports Centre — for ice sports

Community centres offer drop-in fitness, swimming, skating, registered programs for children and seniors, and room rentals. Check Burnaby.ca for current program guides — programs fill quickly for popular times.

Sources: City of Burnaby, Curbside Collection 2026; City of Burnaby Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 14485, in effect January 1, 2026; Burnaby Public Library, bpl.bc.ca.