EV Charging in Burnaby: Permits, Strata Rules & Rebates (2026 Guide)

akaielectricltd
Dec 13, 2025
4 min read

This 2026 guide explains how EV charging works in the City of Burnaby for homeowners and stratas. It covers who issues electrical permits, how strata projects should approach EV load management and EV-Ready planning, and where to find current provincial rebates. It also links to installation help so you can move from planning to permits and inspections.

Quick answer:

In Burnaby, the City of Burnaby issues electrical permits and performs inspections for EV charger circuits, panel work, and related equipment.
Technical Safety BC publishes province-wide electrical safety bulletins and administers permits in areas without municipal electrical departments. Its EVSE and EVEMS guidance explains acceptable load management and labeling.
Strata buildings should use an EV-Ready Plan with load studies and, where needed, an EV Energy Management System design to share capacity safely.
Provincial rebates are offered through the CleanBC Go Electric program for homes, multi-unit residential buildings, and workplaces. Get pre-approval where required before you buy equipment.

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At-a-glance: permits, strata rules, and rebates in Burnaby

Topic	What it means in Burnaby	What to do
Electrical permits	City of Burnaby is the authority having jurisdiction for electrical permits and inspections	Apply for a City of Burnaby electrical permit before work starts; keep permit and inspection records
Technical Safety BC role	TSBC publishes bulletins and administers permits in non-municipal jurisdictions	Use TSBC’s EVSE and EVEMS bulletin for design acceptance and labeling guidance
Strata rules and EV-Ready	EV-Ready planning, load calculations, and EVEMS are accepted when designed and labeled to Code and guidance	Commission an EV-Ready Plan with single-lines, load calcs, and an EVEMS strategy before tendering
Provincial rebates	CleanBC Go Electric provides rebates for homes, MURBs, and workplaces; several streams require pre-approval	Confirm eligibility and timelines on the provincial portal before buying equipment

Who qualifies in 2025

Single-family homeowners in Burnaby adding a dedicated Level 2 circuit, EV power management device, or panel changes.
Strata councils, property managers, and condo boards planning EV-Ready infrastructure or networked charging in common areas or parkades.
Small businesses and workplaces within city limits planning employee charging.

Dates, deadlines, and coordination tips

Apply to the City of Burnaby for the electrical permit before rough-in. Schedule rough-in inspection before insulation and drywall and a final inspection before energization.
For strata projects, align the EV-Ready Plan and equipment list with provincial rebate pre-approval steps before any purchase.
For load-managed installs, label charger settings and EVEMS limits on the panel schedule so future additions stay within the permitted demand calculation.

Stacking and special cases

EV load management can defer a panel or service upgrade in many homes and MURBs when designed and labeled to the EVSE and EVEMS guidance.
Plan a backbone raceway and communications network in stratas so stalls can be added in phases without rework.
If your property sits outside a municipal electrical jurisdiction, confirm whether TSBC is your permitting authority and follow its permit and inspection process.

How to proceed in 3 steps

For homeowners

Confirm the permitting authority for your address. In Burnaby, apply to the City for electrical permits.
EV Charger Installation
Decide on direct-feed versus load-managed charging based on a load calculation.
Install, label settings, and complete inspections. Keep documents for rebates and insurance.

For strata councils and property managers

Commission an EV-Ready Plan with load study, EVEMS architecture, and metering or billing approach.
Apply for provincial pre-approval where required before purchasing equipment.
Permit with the City of Burnaby, build Phase 1, commission, and keep commissioning records with strata documents.

Frequently asked questions

Do I apply to the City of Burnaby or Technical Safety BC for permits

Inside Burnaby city limits, apply to the City of Burnaby for electrical permits and inspections. Technical Safety BC handles permits in jurisdictions that do not run their own electrical permits.

Can a strata rely on EV load management instead of a panel or service upgrade

Yes when designed and labeled correctly. Use the EVSE and EVEMS guidance for acceptable design, labeling, and commissioning requirements.

What rebate programs should I check in 2025

Start with the provincial CleanBC Go Electric site for home, MURB, and workplace rebates. Some streams require pre-approval before purchase and installation.

Do I need networked chargers in a condo parkade

Most strata rebates and many building designs require networked Level 2 chargers with load sharing and per-stall billing. Confirm requirements during EV-Ready planning and rebate pre-approval.

Will a homeowner permit let me DIY an EV charger circuit

Rules depend on the authority having jurisdiction. In multi-unit buildings and common areas a licensed contractor is generally required. For detached homes, confirm local homeowner-permit rules at intake.

Make it easy with Akai Electric

We design and install EV chargers for houses and stratas across Burnaby. From permits and load management to EV-Ready Plans and commissioning, we handle the details so you can charge confidently.

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