The City of Surrey is committed to protecting and enhancing natural and environmentally sensitive areas from harmful development. Policies and regulations with respect to environmentally sensitive development are contained in City plans and by-laws as well as in provincial and federal acts. Additional information related to air, land and water protection and ways in which individuals can get involved is available on the Environment webpage.

OCP Policy

Surrey’s Official Community Plan established a Conservation land use designation for the preservation of particular areas of the city in their natural state. These include major parks and open spaces some of which comprise environmentally sensitive areas such as watercourses, riparian areas and other habitat areas.

Strategy G: Protect Natural Areas of the Official Community Plan contains Surrey’s environmental policy objectives. For more information, please refer to the Official Community Plan document.

Environmentally Sensitive Areas

The protection and enhancement of the natural environment including significant fish, wildlife, and bird habitats is achieved through land use planning, development regulations and public education.

When developing a property contained within an Environmentally Sensitive Area or located near property identified as having significant environmental value, you may be required to address impacts on the environment from your proposed development. For more information contact the Planning and Development Department at 604-591-4441.

Ecosystem Management Study

The Ecosystem Management Study, currently underway, will update and enhance the City’s environmental mapping. It will also build on the Environmentally Sensitive Areas approach described briefly above. For more information please refer to the Ecosystem Management Study webpage.

Contaminated Sites

As land is re-developed, prior uses of that land may pose threats to the health and safety of residents due to soil contamination. To address this issue Surrey works closely with the Ministry of Land, Water and Air Protection to implement the contaminated sites process outlined in the British Columbia Waste Management Act. All new land development projects in Surrey must provide information on the prior use of the site, and if required, a site assessment of the contamination is required. For further information visit the Contaminated Sites webpage.

Erosion and Sediment Control

The City of Surrey is working to control erosion due to development practices. It does so through the establishment of standards and best management practices for construction sites. For more information visit the Erosion and Sediment Control webpage.

Stream Protection

With urban development comes increased pressure on natural watercourses and streams. Surrey is working with the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the provincial Ministry of Environment to ensure that development respects these resources and preserves them for all residents of Surrey.

Depending on the type of development proposed land dedication, restrictive covenants, or landscaping may be required. Information on current regulations is available by calling the Planning and Development Department at 604-591-4441. Additional information is available on the Streams and Water Quality webpage.