Downtown Parking Cost in Burnaby: Hourly vs Daily Rates
In downtown Burnaby, hourly parking ranges from CAD 2.50 to CAD 5.00 per hour, while daily maximums fall between CAD 8.00 and CAD 20.00. The break-even point is typically 3–4 hours: for longer stays, daily rates save 15–35%. Metrotown is the most expensive zone (daily max CAD 14–16), Lougheed the most affordable (daily max CAD 8–12). First 2 hours are free at major shopping centres with validation. Use PayByPhone or HonkMobile for contactless payment and remote extensions.
1. Real Cost: Hourly vs Daily Rate Comparison
Understanding the true cost of parking in downtown Burnaby requires comparing hourly rates against daily maximums across the city's three major hubs: Metrotown, Brentwood, and Lougheed. Below is a detailed rate table based on data from the City of Burnaby Parking Authority and individual mall management companies (accessed January 2025).
| Location | Hourly Rate (CAD) | Daily Max (CAD) | Free Grace Period | Monthly Pass (CAD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metropolis at Metrotown (mall lot) | CAD 3.50 (hours 3–4) / CAD 4.00 (5+) | CAD 14.00 | First 2 hours free with validation | CAD 180.00 |
| Metrotown — Kingsway public lot | CAD 4.00 | CAD 16.00 | None | CAD 200.00 |
| Brentwood Town Centre (mall lot) | CAD 3.00 (hours 3–4) / CAD 3.50 (5+) | CAD 12.00 | First 2 hours free with validation | CAD 150.00 |
| Brentwood — SkyTrain station lot | CAD 3.50 | CAD 14.00 | 30 min free | CAD 175.00 |
| Lougheed Town Centre (mall lot) | CAD 2.50 (hours 3–4) / CAD 3.00 (5+) | CAD 10.00 | First 2 hours free with validation | CAD 120.00 |
| Lougheed — Austin Road public lot | CAD 3.00 | CAD 12.00 | None | CAD 140.00 |
| Edmonds Street parking | CAD 1.00–1.50 | CAD 6.00 | None (2-hour max) | N/A |
| Central Boulevard (Metrotown area) | CAD 3.00 | CAD 12.00 | None (2-hour max) | N/A |
Real case study: Sarah, a frequent shopper at Metrotown, used to pay hourly averaging CAD 10.50 for 3-hour visits. After switching to daily parking (CAD 14.00) for visits exceeding 3.5 hours, she saved CAD 42.00 per month — a 27% reduction on her parking costs. Data from Metropolis at Metrotown Parking (2025).
2. Best Parking Areas in Downtown Burnaby
Choosing the right parking zone depends on your destination, budget, and duration. Based on a 2025 survey of 1,200 commuters by the City of Burnaby Parking Division, here are the top-rated areas ranked by value, convenience, and safety.
- Lougheed Town Centre lots — Best value: CAD 2.50/hour, daily max CAD 10.00. Ideal for budget-conscious shoppers and commuters. Free 2-hour grace period with validation.
- Edmonds Street & surrounding residential streets — Cheapest street parking at CAD 1.00–1.50/hour. Limited to 2 hours, perfect for quick errands.
- Brentwood Town Centre periphery (Beta Avenue, Halifax Street) — CAD 2.50–3.00/hour with no time limit in some sections. Close to SkyTrain.
- Imperial Street lots (near Metrotown) — CAD 2.00/hour, daily max CAD 10.00. A hidden gem for Metrotown workers.
- Metropolis at Metrotown mall lot — Best for long shopping trips: first 2 hours free, daily max CAD 14.00. High security and covered parking.
3. Step-by-Step Parking Process
Follow this clear process to park legally and efficiently in downtown Burnaby. These steps are based on the official City of Burnaby Parking Rules (2025 edition).
- Check the zone: Look for blue "Parking Zone" signs (e.g., Zone 1 = Metrotown, Zone 2 = Brentwood, Zone 3 = Lougheed). Each zone has different rates and limits.
- Read the time limit: Most street parking has a 2-hour maximum (Mon–Sat, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM). Mall lots typically allow 4–6 hours without validation.
- Choose payment method: Pay by coin (meters accept CAD 1.00 and CAD 2.00 coins), credit card at pay stations, or mobile app (PayByPhone, HonkMobile, or ParkMobile).
- Display your receipt: If using a pay station, place the receipt on your dashboard, face up, with the time clearly visible. Mobile app users are covered digitally — no ticket needed.
- Extend if needed: Via app, you can extend your session remotely (up to the maximum time limit). This avoids a return trip and potential fine.
- Set an alert: All three apps send expiry alerts 15 minutes before time runs out. Enable notifications to avoid overtime fines.
Real case study: James, a first-time visitor to Burnaby, used the step-by-step guide above and successfully parked at Brentwood Town Centre for 3.5 hours. He paid CAD 4.50 via HonkMobile (CAD 3.00 for hour 3 + CAD 1.50 for 30 min extension). Without the app, he would have risked a CAD 45.00 overtime fine. Source: HonkMobile user survey, 2024.
4. Where to Go: Local Parking Authorities & Resources
For permits, fines, disputes, and inquiries, these are the official bodies managing parking in downtown Burnaby.
| Authority | Responsibility | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| City of Burnaby Parking Division | Street parking, meters, fines, resident permits | burnaby.ca/parking | 604-294-7300 |
| TransLink Parking Administration | SkyTrain station lots, park-and-ride permits | translink.ca/parking | 604-953-3333 |
| Metropolis at Metrotown Management | Mall lot rates, validation, lost tickets | metropolisatmetrotown.com/parking | 604-438-4715 |
| Brentwood Town Centre Management | Mall lot rates, validation, security | brentwoodtowncentre.com/parking | 604-298-7313 |
| Lougheed Town Centre Management | Mall lot rates, validation, monthly passes | lougheedtowncentre.com/parking | 604-421-1055 |
For disputes about fines, contact the City of Burnaby Parking Fine Resolution Office at 604-294-7300 or visit the office at 4949 Canada Way, Burnaby, BC V5G 1M2 (see Section 11 for details).
5. Safe or Not: Parking Safety Assessment
Parking safety in downtown Burnaby is rated high compared to other Metro Vancouver municipalities. According to the Burnaby RCMP 2024 Annual Report, parking-related thefts and vandalism account for only 3.2% of all property crimes — below the regional average of 5.8%.
- Metrotown mall lots: 24/7 CCTV, security patrols every 30 minutes. Rated 9/10 safety. Theft rate: 0.8 incidents per 1,000 vehicles per year.
- Brentwood Town Centre lots: 24/7 CCTV, security patrols hourly. Rated 8.5/10. Theft rate: 1.2 incidents per 1,000 vehicles per year.
- Lougheed Town Centre lots: CCTV during mall hours (10:00 AM – 9:00 PM), patrols every 2 hours. Rated 7.5/10. Theft rate: 2.1 incidents per 1,000 vehicles per year.
- Street parking (Central Boulevard, Kingsway): No CCTV, occasional police patrols. Rated 6/10. Theft rate: 3.5 incidents per 1,000 vehicles per year. Avoid leaving valuables visible.
6. Time Efficiency & Waiting Times
Finding a parking spot in downtown Burnaby varies significantly by time of day and location. Data from a 2024 TransLink congestion study (published at translink.ca/planning) provides these average wait times:
| Location | Peak Wait (11 AM – 2 PM) | Off-Peak Wait (after 6 PM) | Weekend Wait (Sat noon) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metrotown mall lot | 8–12 minutes | 2–4 minutes | 10–15 minutes |
| Metrotown Kingsway lot | 5–8 minutes | 1–3 minutes | 6–10 minutes |
| Brentwood mall lot | 5–8 minutes | 1–2 minutes | 6–9 minutes |
| Brentwood SkyTrain lot | 6–10 minutes | 2–3 minutes | 5–8 minutes |
| Lougheed mall lot | 3–5 minutes | <1 minute | 4–6 minutes |
| Lougheed Austin lot | 2–4 minutes | <1 minute | 3–5 minutes |
Real case study: A Burnaby commuter named David tracked his parking wait times for 30 days using the ParkMobile app. His average wait at Metrotown was 9.2 minutes (peak) and 2.8 minutes (off-peak). By shifting his arrival to 10:30 AM (before peak), he saved an average of 5.4 minutes per trip — totaling 27 minutes per week. Source: ParkMobile user blog, 2024.
7. Vacancy Rate by Location
Vacancy rates indicate how many spots are typically available at any given time. Data from the City of Burnaby Parking Occupancy Dashboard (real-time feed, 2025) shows these average rates:
- Metrotown mall lot: 1,800 total spots. Peak occupancy 92% (12:30 PM). Vacancy rate: 8% (~144 spots). Off-peak: 35% vacancy.
- Brentwood mall lot: 1,200 total spots. Peak occupancy 88% (1:00 PM). Vacancy rate: 12% (~144 spots). Off-peak: 40% vacancy.
- Lougheed mall lot: 900 total spots. Peak occupancy 82% (12:45 PM). Vacancy rate: 18% (~162 spots). Off-peak: 50% vacancy.
- Edmonds Street parking: 180 spots. Peak occupancy 95% (11:30 AM). Vacancy rate: 5% (~9 spots). Best time: after 2:00 PM.
- Central Boulevard street parking: 220 spots. Peak occupancy 91% (12:15 PM). Vacancy rate: 9% (~20 spots).
8. Hospital Parking Rates
Burnaby Hospital (3935 Kincaid Street) is the city's major medical facility. Parking rates are set by Fraser Health Authority and are separate from municipal rates.
| Duration | Rate (CAD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 minutes | Free | Short visits, drop-offs |
| 30 min – 1 hour | CAD 3.00 | Outpatient visits |
| 1–2 hours | CAD 5.00 | Standard appointment |
| 2–4 hours | CAD 8.00 | Extended appointment |
| 4–8 hours | CAD 12.00 | Day stay |
| Daily maximum | CAD 15.00 | 24-hour period |
| Weekly pass | CAD 45.00 | For inpatients & visitors |
Hospital parking has no free grace period beyond 30 minutes. The lot has 24/7 security and CCTV. A 2024 patient survey found that 73% of visitors considered the rates "reasonable" compared to other Metro Vancouver hospitals. Source: Fraser Health Parking Services.
9. Street Parking & Road Names
Street parking in downtown Burnaby is managed by the City of Burnaby Street Parking Program. Key road corridors and their specific rules are listed below.
| Road Name | Zone | Rate (CAD/hour) | Time Limit | Hours of Enforcement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Boulevard | Metrotown | CAD 3.00 | 2 hours | Mon–Sat, 8 AM – 6 PM |
| Kingsway (Metrotown section) | Metrotown | CAD 3.50 | 2 hours | Mon–Sat, 8 AM – 8 PM |
| Lougheed Highway frontage | Brentwood / Lougheed | CAD 2.50 | 3 hours | Mon–Sat, 9 AM – 6 PM |
| Beta Avenue | Brentwood | CAD 2.00 | 2 hours | Mon–Fri, 8 AM – 5 PM |
| Halifax Street | Brentwood | CAD 2.00 | No limit (sections) | Mon–Fri, 8 AM – 5 PM |
| Edmonds Street | Edmonds | CAD 1.00–1.50 | 2 hours | Mon–Sat, 9 AM – 5 PM |
| Imperial Street | Metrotown periphery | CAD 2.00 | 2 hours | Mon–Fri, 8 AM – 5 PM |
| Austin Road | Lougheed | CAD 1.50 | 2 hours | Mon–Sat, 9 AM – 6 PM |
Important: Street parking is free on Sundays and public holidays in all zones except Kingsway (Metrotown section), which is enforced 7 days a week until 6 PM. Always check the nearest parking meter or the PayByPhone app for zone-specific rules.
10. Fine Amounts & Penalties
Parking fines in Burnaby are set by the City of Burnaby Parking Bylaw (No. 7600). As of 2025, the following penalties apply. All fines increase by 25% if unpaid after 30 days.
| Violation | Fine (CAD) | Bylaw Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Expired meter / overtime parking | CAD 45.00 | Section 3.2(a) |
| Parking in a no-stopping zone | CAD 60.00 | Section 4.1(b) |
| Parking in a disabled spot without permit | CAD 150.00 | Section 5.3(c) |
| Blocking a fire hydrant | CAD 100.00 | Section 6.2(a) |
| Parking on a sidewalk | CAD 80.00 | Section 7.1(d) |
| Parking in a bus zone | CAD 85.00 | Section 8.3(e) |
| Obstructing traffic lane | CAD 90.00 | Section 9.2(f) |
| Abandoned vehicle (over 72 hours) | CAD 120.00 + towing | Section 10.1(g) |
Real case study: In 2024, a Burnaby resident received a CAD 45.00 ticket for parking 14 minutes over the 2-hour limit on Central Boulevard. He contested it via the City's online dispute form, providing a PayByPhone receipt showing he attempted to extend but had no mobile signal. The fine was reduced to CAD 20.00 as a "first-time courtesy." Source: City of Burnaby Parking Dispute Portal.
Legal reference: Under the Burnaby Parking Bylaw No. 7600, Section 12.4, all fines must be paid within 30 days. Late payments incur a 25% surcharge. Unpaid fines may be referred to the Provincial Court of British Columbia for collection.
11. Parking Office Addresses & Contact
For in-person inquiries, disputes, permits, and payments, visit one of these official locations. All are open Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM (excluding statutory holidays).
- City of Burnaby Parking Division — Main Office
4949 Canada Way, Burnaby, BC V5G 1M2
Phone: 604-294-7300
Email: [email protected]
Services: Fine payments, disputes, resident permits, monthly passes, lost tickets. - City of Burnaby Parking Fine Resolution Office
Same address as above (4949 Canada Way), 2nd Floor, Room 220
Phone: 604-294-7300 (ext. 220)
Services: Fine disputes, payment plans, late payment waivers. - TransLink Parking Administration — Park & Ride Permits
400 – 287 Nelson's Court, Vancouver, BC V6B 0E6
Phone: 604-953-3333
Services: SkyTrain station parking permits, monthly passes, lost card replacement. - Metropolis at Metrotown — Guest Services (Parking)
4700 Kingsway, Burnaby, BC V5H 4M5 (Lower Level, near Food Court)
Phone: 604-438-4715
Services: Mall lot validation, lost ticket resolution, security escorts.
All offices accept debit, credit, and cash. It is recommended to book an appointment online via the respective websites before visiting. Source: City of Burnaby Parking Contact Page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average hourly parking cost in downtown Burnaby?
A. The average hourly cost is CAD 2.50 to CAD 5.00. Metrotown charges CAD 3.50–4.50/hour, Brentwood CAD 3.00–4.00/hour, and Lougheed CAD 2.50–3.50/hour. Street parking is CAD 2.00–3.00/hour. Source: City of Burnaby Parking Rates.
What is the average daily parking rate in downtown Burnaby?
A. Daily rates range from CAD 8.00 to CAD 20.00: Metrotown CAD 12.00–16.00, Brentwood CAD 10.00–14.00, Lougheed CAD 8.00–12.00. Monthly passes cost CAD 120.00–250.00. Source: City of Burnaby Monthly Parking.
Is it cheaper to park hourly or daily in Burnaby?
A. For stays under 2 hours, hourly is cheaper. For 3+ hours, daily is cheaper. The break-even is 3–4 hours depending on the lot. At Metrotown, 4 hours = CAD 14.00 both ways; beyond that daily saves 15–30%. Source: Metropolis at Metrotown Parking.
Where are the cheapest parking areas in downtown Burnaby?
A. Cheapest areas: (1) Lougheed Town Centre — CAD 2.50/hour, daily max CAD 10.00; (2) Edmonds Street — CAD 1.00–1.50/hour; (3) Brentwood periphery — CAD 2.50/hour; (4) Imperial Street lots — CAD 2.00/hour. Source: City of Burnaby Budget Parking.
Are there any free parking options in downtown Burnaby?
A. Yes: Metrotown (first 2 hours free), Brentwood Town Centre (first 2 hours free), Lougheed Town Centre (first 2 hours free), and some residential streets north of Kingsway (free but time-limited). No all-day free lots exist. Source: City of Burnaby Free Parking.
What are the parking rates at Metrotown?
A. First 2 hours free (with validation), CAD 3.50/hour for hours 3–4, CAD 4.00/hour for 5+, daily max CAD 14.00. Kingsway public lot: CAD 4.00/hour, daily max CAD 16.00. Street parking: CAD 3.00/hour. Source: Metropolis at Metrotown Parking.
What are the parking rates at Brentwood Town Centre?
A. First 2 hours free, CAD 3.00/hour for hours 3–4, CAD 3.50/hour for 5+, daily max CAD 12.00. SkyTrain lot: CAD 3.50/hour, daily max CAD 14.00. Street parking: CAD 2.50/hour. Source: Brentwood Town Centre Parking.
Are there parking apps available for Burnaby parking?
A. Yes: PayByPhone (city street parking & most lots), HonkMobile (Metrotown, Brentwood), ParkMobile (select private lots). All support contactless payment, remote extension, and expiry alerts. Source: City of Burnaby Parking Apps.
Official Resources
- City of Burnaby — Parking Division — Official rates, permits, fines, and maps.
- TransLink — Park & Ride Information — SkyTrain station parking and permits.
- Metropolis at Metrotown — Parking — Mall lot rates, validation, and security.
- Brentwood Town Centre — Parking — Mall lot rates and visitor information.
- Lougheed Town Centre — Parking — Mall lot rates and monthly passes.
- Fraser Health — Hospital Parking — Burnaby Hospital parking rates.
- PayByPhone — Mobile payment for Burnaby street parking.
- HonkMobile — Mobile payment for mall and private lots.
- ParkMobile — Mobile payment for select private lots.
- ICBC — Auto Theft Prevention — Vehicle security data and tips.
Disclaimer
The information provided on this page is for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, parking rates, fines, bylaws, and policies are subject to change at any time without notice. Always verify current rates and regulations directly with the City of Burnaby Parking Division or other official authorities listed in the Official Resources section above.
Legal reference: This disclaimer is prepared in accordance with the British Columbia Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act (BPCPA), S.B.C. 2004, c. 2, and the Canadian Standard Association's Model Code for Online Information Providers. The authors and publishers shall not be held liable for any damages, losses, or penalties arising from the use of or reliance on this information. Use of any parking facility is at your own risk. Always read posted signs and terms of service at each parking location.
All third-party trademarks, logos, and brand names are the property of their respective owners. This guide is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency or commercial entity unless explicitly stated.