Handyman in Burnaby, BC
Burnaby is now mostly strata. The City counts more strata apartments and townhomes than single family houses, and BC's standard strata bylaws say exterior stairs, balconies, fences and railings cannot be changed without written approval. At the same time, 41 percent of homes were built in 1980 or earlier, so the houses on Capitol Hill, the Heights and the South Slope have stairs and decks that have been through decades of rain.
Working with your strata
If you live in a townhouse or apartment, your strata usually decides what can change on the outside of the building. Under the standard bylaws, that includes stairs, balconies, fences and railings.
I am happy to work to a scope your strata council approves. Tell me the colour and finish they have signed off on, and I will match it on your stairs, balcony railing or fence section. If they want a written description of the work first, I can give you one to pass along.
Older houses with worn stairs and decks
Single and two family homes fell from almost 42 percent of Burnaby housing in 1996 to 22 percent in 2021, and the houses that remain are often older. In the 2016 Census, 41 percent of all Burnaby homes had been built in 1980 or earlier.
On houses that age, the front stairs and railings are usually the first thing a visitor touches and the first thing to show wear. Scraping, replacing soft treads and repainting brings them back without a full rebuild.
Rain on the hills
The weather station at SFU on Burnaby Mountain records about 2,010 mm of precipitation a year, far more than the airport down in Richmond. Homes on the slopes around the mountain, Capitol Hill and the Heights get a lot of water, and shaded steps grow moss quickly.
Pressure washing the moss off treads and walkways, then sealing or painting, makes wet stairs safer to walk on. I can add anti slip strips to painted treads if you want extra grip in winter.
Fence rules under the 2026 zoning bylaw
Burnaby replaced its 1965 zoning bylaw on July 1, 2026, so some older City brochures quote outdated numbers. Under the new bylaw a residential fence can be up to 1.07 m in the required front yard and 1.8 m behind it, measured from the average ground level on both sides.
Fences do not need a building permit in Burnaby. Retaining walls over 1.2 m do, along with an engineer, so I repair and repaint fences but leave engineered retaining walls to the companies that design them.
Yard waste and the green bin
Burnaby collects the green bin weekly and takes branches up to 4 inches across, but not plastic bags. Residents can also take extra yard waste to the Eco Centre on Still Creek Drive.
For a fall cleanup, I cut prunings to green bin size and bag leaves in paper so everything fits the City rules.
Services in Burnaby
Neighbourhoods and places I cover in and around Burnaby: Capitol Hill, Burnaby Heights, South Slope, Deer Lake, Burnaby Mountain, Metrotown, Brentwood, Edmonds, Lougheed, Big Bend.
Common questions
Do I need strata approval to repaint my townhouse stairs in Burnaby?
Usually yes. BC standard strata bylaws require written approval before changing exterior stairs, balconies, fences or railings. Get the approval and colour from your strata, and I will work to it.
How tall can a fence be in Burnaby?
Under the zoning bylaw that took effect July 1, 2026, up to 1.07 m in the required front yard and 1.8 m behind it in residential zones. Fences do not need a building permit.
Why do my stairs on Burnaby Mountain stay slippery?
The mountain gets roughly 2,000 mm of precipitation a year, so shaded wood stays wet and grows moss. Pressure washing, a fresh coat and anti slip strips on the treads all help.
Do you build retaining walls?
No. In Burnaby, retaining walls over 1.2 m need a permit and an engineer. I repair fences, stairs and decks and will tell you honestly when a job needs a specialist.
How do I get a quote in Burnaby?
Text a few photos and your neighbourhood or nearest cross street. You will get an honest answer and a price for the agreed work before anything starts.
Nearby areas
Where these local facts come from
- City of Burnaby, Zoning Bylaw (in effect July 1, 2026)
- City of Burnaby, Zoning Bylaw 2026 Part 4 General Regulations
- City of Burnaby, Fences and Retaining Walls Informational Guide
- BC Strata Property Act, Schedule of Standard Bylaws
- City of Burnaby, OCP Insights Report on housing
- City of Burnaby, Housing Needs Report
- City of Burnaby, Food Scraps and Yard Waste
- Burnaby Mountain climate (Environment Canada normals, via Wikipedia)
Have a job in Burnaby?
Call or text Alex with a short description and a few photos. You will get an honest answer about what it needs and what it costs.