Residential Building Permits

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Find out about residential building permits, including when you need one and how to apply.

When you need a permit

 A residential building permit is usually required for building or renovating work, such as:

  • building a house,
  • finishing a basement,
  • building an addition, detached garage or accessory building or,
  • interior renovations.

Scroll down to see the A to Z residential building permit list to learn more about the requirements. 

Separate plumbing and electrical permits are required for any plumbing and electrical work. Plumbing and electrical permits may be applied for only after you've been issued the building permit.

When you don't need a permit

A building permit is not required for projects such as:

  • replacing flooring,
  • minor repairs to the exterior of your home,
  • building a fence (not needed in some situations; see below) or,
  • building a storage shed (not needed in some situations; see below).

Building permit address 

Prior to preparing any documents or drawings, ensure that the new civic address(es) of a subject property have been established by an Addressing Clerk. The correct civic address shall be displayed in an obvious location on each drawing sheet. Drawings will not be reviewed with incorrect or missing addresses.

Duplex, triplex & fourplex permit applications: the existing address must be changed and confirmed with the Addressing Clerk before submitting your application package. 

Contact the Addressing Clerk at addressingrequests@surrey.ca or 604-591-4448 for zoning information and address verification.

Building permit forms

To make sure you fill out the application form correctly, review the residential building permit application form requirements.

Building permit fees

Fees can be paid by cash, cheque or debit. See the current City of Surrey building permit fees.

Residential building permit types

Find the details below on how to apply for the most popular types of building permits. This list is not comprehensive. If you have doubts on whether you require a permit for your work, call the Building Information Line at 604-591-4366.

Fence & storage shed information

Building a fence

Find fencing regulations under Subsection 8 of Section E of Part 4 of General Provisions in the Surrey Zoning By-law 12000. A building permit is not required. A fence is to be located on your property. If you and your neighbour decide to share a fence, the City of Surrey has no jurisdiction in disputes arising over fences. Fences cannot be located on City property or on any City right-of-way or easement areas.

If you don't know where your property line is, your lot information may be on record with the City of Surrey. You can request a Survey Certificate by email at buildingfileregistry@surrey.ca. You may have to hire a registered British Columbia Land Surveyor to come to your property and find your property lines.

 

Building a storage shed

Small simple storage sheds typically require a permit. See below for a more detailed list of requirements regarding the construction of these small sheds.

Building requirements:

  • Storage shed with floor area of 10 m2 (108 ft2) or less may installed/constructed without a building permit however it shall comply with the requirements of the Zoning Bylaw (setbacks, height limit…).
  • No building permit is required if the shed has one light with switch.
  • Add any receptacle (plug) and/or more than one light/switch then a building permit & electrical permit for the shed is required.  Also, any added plumbing/mechanical requires a building permit and plumbing permit.

Electrical scenarios, permit requirements:

  • A storage shed has only 1 light and a control switch: The wiring does not need a separate electrical permit. The wiring for the shed may be included in the main SFD electrical permit (similar to gate wiring, post light wiring etc.).
  • If a building permit is required for construction reasons, or additional electrical beyond a light and control switch, a separate electrical permit is required for each building with a building permit and electrical services (i.e. detached garage, detached workshop, detached main electrical service shed, etc.).
  • If a storage shed has additional electrical above 1 light and a control switch, a building permit and separate electrical permit are required.