SITEPLANS.CA
Planning to install a pool in Burnaby? A swimming pool can be a great backyard upgrade, but the permit review usually needs more than the pool size. The City needs to understand where the pool will sit, how the safety barrier will enclose it, how close it is to property lines, and where the pump, filter, heater, electrical service, and related equipment will be located.
That is where a clear Burnaby pool site plan for permit becomes important.
A site plan shows your property from above. For a pool project, it should show the proposed pool, property lines, setbacks, safety barrier, gate location, equipment pad, existing house, deck, driveway, landscaped areas, drainage direction, north arrow, scale, and any other site details needed for permit review.
Does a Pool Need a Permit in Burnaby?
Yes, pool projects in Burnaby typically need permit review. The City of Burnaby’s swimming pool informational guide says an application for a building permit must be accompanied by a site plan. That site plan must show the location of the principal building and existing accessory buildings, the size and location of the swimming pool, fencing and gates, filter and heater equipment, electrical service to buildings or equipment, and the north direction.
Burnaby also has a Swimming Pool Enclosure Bylaw that requires private swimming pools to be enclosed for the safety and protection of persons. This means the barrier layout is not a small side detail. It is one of the most important parts of the pool plan.
Why a Pool Site Plan Matters
A pool site plan helps the reviewer understand the full backyard layout before construction starts. It is not just a blue rectangle labelled “pool.” It shows how the pool fits with the house, deck, fence, gate, equipment, property lines, setbacks, drainage, and yard layout.
A good pool site plan helps answer questions like:
- Where is the proposed pool located?
- How large is the pool?
- How far is the pool from property lines?
- Where is the pool barrier or fence?
- Where is the gate?
- Where will the pool equipment be located?
- How will people access the pool area?
- Does the pool affect drainage, landscaping, or existing structures?
If these details are missing, the permit review can slow down because the reviewer may need corrections or additional information.
What Your Burnaby Pool Site Plan Should Show
A strong pool site plan should be clean, scaled, and easy to read. It should show both existing conditions and the proposed pool work.
Your site plan should usually include:
- Property lines
- Lot dimensions
- Existing residence
- Existing deck, driveway, walkway, shed, garage, or other structures
- Proposed pool location
- Pool length and width
- Pool depth or depth range, if required
- Setback distances from property lines
- Pool barrier or enclosure location
- Gate location
- Pool equipment location
- Electrical service location, if known
- Drainage direction
- Landscaped and paved areas
- North arrow and scale
1. Proposed Pool Location
The proposed pool should be clearly shown and labelled. Use a simple label such as “Proposed Pool” and show the pool’s actual shape and dimensions.
Helpful pool details include:
- Pool length
- Pool width
- Total pool area
- Pool depth, if required
- Pool steps, ledge, or spa area, if included
- Pool coping, paving, or deck area
The City’s swimming pool guide specifically says the site plan should show the size and location of the swimming pool. That means the pool should not be shown vaguely or without dimensions.
2. Property Lines and Boundaries
Property lines are one of the most important parts of a pool site plan. They show the legal edges of the lot and allow the reviewer to check the pool’s location, setbacks, barrier position, and relationship to neighbouring properties.
Your plan should show:
- Rear property line
- Side property lines
- Front property line
- Lot width and lot depth
- Any irregular lot shape
If the pool is close to a fence, do not assume the fence is the legal property line. Fence lines and property lines are sometimes best friends, sometimes distant relatives. Use reliable property information wherever possible.
3. Setbacks From Property Lines
Setbacks show how far the pool and related structures are from the property lines. For a pool permit site plan, these measurements help reviewers understand whether the pool, paving, equipment, and enclosure fit safely and legally on the lot.
Your site plan should show:
- Distance from pool to rear property line
- Distance from pool to side property lines
- Distance from pool deck or paving to property lines, if relevant
- Distance from equipment pad to property lines
- Distance from the pool to the existing house
- Distance from the pool to other structures
Do not rely on “pool in backyard” as a description. Show the actual measurements. Tiny setback labels are boring, but they do the permit heavy lifting.
4. Pool Barrier or Enclosure
The pool barrier is one of the most important details on the plan. Burnaby’s Swimming Pool Enclosure Bylaw exists to require the enclosure of private swimming pools for safety.
Your site plan should show the full barrier layout, including:
- Fence or barrier line
- Barrier height note, if required
- Gate location
- Any house wall used as part of the enclosure, if applicable
- Any existing fence used as part of the enclosure, if applicable
- Any openings, access points, or changes in direction
A pool barrier should form a clear protected area around the pool. If the enclosure line is vague, the review can quickly become messy.
5. Gate Location
The gate should be shown clearly. A pool plan that shows the fence but forgets the gate is incomplete.
Your site plan should show:
- Gate location
- Gate swing direction, if relevant
- Self-closing note, if required
- Self-latching note, if required
- Access path from the house or yard to the pool area
The gate is a tiny symbol on the drawing, but it carries big compliance energy.
6. Pool Equipment Location
Burnaby’s swimming pool guide says the permit site plan should show the size and location of filter and heater equipment or the accessory building housing the equipment.
Your plan should show equipment such as:
- Pool pump
- Filter
- Heater, if included
- Chlorinator or sanitizer equipment
- Equipment pad
- Accessory enclosure or small equipment shed, if proposed
Equipment location matters because it can affect access, noise, electrical service, plumbing, drainage, and setbacks. Do not hide it in the corner like a mystery box. Label it clearly.
7. Electrical Service
Burnaby’s swimming pool guide also says the site plan should show the location of electrical service to buildings or equipment. This is important because pool equipment often needs electrical work, and the reviewer may need to understand how the pool equipment connects to the property.
Your site plan may show:
- Electrical service route, if known
- Equipment electrical connection point
- Nearby panel or service location, if relevant
- Electrical work area, if known
Electrical details may also require separate trade permits or supporting documentation, depending on the project.
8. Existing Residence and Accessory Buildings
The City’s swimming pool guide says the site plan should show the location of the principal building and any existing accessory buildings on the property.
Your plan should label existing features such as:
- Existing residence
- Garage or carport
- Shed or accessory building
- Deck
- Porch
- Patio
- Driveway
- Walkways
This helps the reviewer understand the whole backyard layout and how the pool fits around existing structures.
9. Decks, Paving, and Pool Surrounds
Pool projects often include more than the pool shell. Decking, concrete, pavers, paths, and hard surfaces can affect drainage, lot coverage, access, and barrier layout.
Your site plan should show:
- Pool deck or paved surround
- Existing deck attached to the house
- Walkways to the pool area
- Patio or hardscape areas
- Landscaped areas left around the pool
If pool paving connects to the house or existing deck, show that relationship clearly.
10. Drainage Direction
Pool construction can change how water moves across the yard. Excavation, paving, retaining edges, equipment pads, and deck areas can all affect drainage.
Your site plan may show:
- Drainage direction arrows
- Existing site slope
- Low points
- Swales or drainage paths, if known
- Stormwater connection, if known
- How water is directed away from the house and neighbouring properties
Drainage arrows are simple, but they can prevent a lot of back-and-forth. Water is very committed to finding the lowest point. The plan should show the intended route.
11. Easements, Services, and Utilities
If there are easements or services near the proposed pool, show them on the site plan. Pool excavation, barrier posts, equipment pads, plumbing, paving, and electrical work can all conflict with underground services.
Your plan should show known:
- Drainage easements
- Utility easements
- Sewer or stormwater lines
- Water service
- Gas service, if relevant
- Electrical service
- Inspection chambers or service points
If exact utility locations are unknown, use available property information and confirm before construction. A pool drawn over a service line is the sort of thing that turns a backyard dream into a paperwork swamp creature.
12. North Arrow and Scale
Burnaby’s swimming pool guide says the permit site plan should show the north direction. A good plan should also include a clear scale so reviewers can understand distances and layout.
Your plan should be:
- Drawn to scale
- Clearly labelled
- Readable after upload
- Consistent with supporting drawings
- Specific about existing and proposed features
A clean, scaled drawing is much easier to review than a blurry screenshot or rough sketch.
Common Reasons Burnaby Pool Site Plans Get Delayed
Pool site plans often get delayed because important information is missing or unclear. Common issues include:
- Property lines not shown
- Pool dimensions missing
- Pool location unclear
- Barrier or enclosure not shown fully
- Gate location missing
- Equipment pad not shown
- Filter or heater location missing
- Electrical service location not shown where required
- Existing residence or accessory buildings not labelled
- Setback distances not labelled
- Drainage direction not shown where relevant
- North arrow missing
- Plan is blurry, cropped, or not drawn to scale
Pool Site Plan vs Pool Construction Drawings
A site plan shows where the pool goes on the property. It does not replace construction drawings, engineering, pool shell details, plumbing drawings, electrical permits, or barrier construction details.
A full pool permit package may also need:
- Pool structural drawings
- Pool section or depth details
- Pool barrier details
- Gate details
- Equipment specifications
- Electrical information
- Plumbing or mechanical details
- Drainage or grading information, if required
Think of the site plan as the where it goes drawing. Construction drawings explain how it is built.
Simple Burnaby Pool Site Plan Checklist
Before submitting or reviewing your pool permit drawings, check that your site plan includes:
- Property lines
- Lot dimensions
- Existing residence
- Existing accessory buildings
- Existing deck, driveway, patio, walkway, or shed
- Proposed pool location
- Pool length and width
- Pool setback distances
- Pool barrier or enclosure location
- Gate location
- Filter and heater equipment location
- Pool equipment pad or enclosure
- Electrical service location, if known
- Drainage direction, if relevant
- Landscaped and paved areas
- North arrow
- Scale
Can You Use an Old Survey?
An old survey can be a helpful starting point if it shows property lines, lot dimensions, the existing house, and accessory buildings. But it usually will not show the proposed pool, barrier, gate, equipment pad, electrical service notes, updated deck areas, or drainage direction.
For permit review, the proposed pool layout should be added clearly with dimensions, setbacks, enclosure details, equipment location, and site notes.
Can You Use an Online Map Screenshot?
An online map screenshot can help you understand the property, but it is usually not enough for a permit-ready pool site plan. Aerial images can be outdated, distorted, and missing exact property line dimensions.
A proper pool site plan should be scaled, labelled, and specific enough for zoning and building review.
Need a Burnaby Pool Site Plan for Permit?
If you are planning a swimming pool in Burnaby, a clear site plan can help show the details needed for review. It can show the proposed pool location, pool barrier, self-closing gate, equipment pad, property lines, setbacks, existing residence, deck, driveway, drainage direction, landscaped area, north arrow, and scale.
SitePlans.ca prepares easy-to-read site plans for permit applications across Canada, including pools, decks, sheds, garages, additions, carports, patios, fences, driveways, and other residential projects.
Whether you are installing a new backyard pool, adding pool equipment, planning a barrier enclosure, or preparing documents for your pool contractor, a clean site plan can reduce confusion and support a smoother permit process.
Show the barriers, boundaries, and equipment location clearly before permit review starts.