Board of Variance

Submit a BOV Inquiry form to BOVInquiry@surrey.ca. The Planning Division conducts a preliminary review to determine whether an appeal is appropriate for the Board to consider.  If an appeal to the BOV is recommended, the Planning Division will request that you proceed to the next step, which is to submit a BOV application.

Submit the following documents to the Board Secretary:
 

1. Notice of Appeal Application Form
2. A letter addressed to the Board, explaining the requested variance, why the variance is required/justified, and why there is undue hardship.
3. Certificate of title for the property (not older than three months), as well as copies of any covenants, easements, rights-of-ways, building schemes, and design guidelines, that are referenced on the certificate of title.
4. Site Plan
5. Floor plans and elevations.

A letter of authorization is also required if an agent will be acting on behalf of the owner(s).

Additional documents may be requested as necessary.

Digital submissions are preferred; however, if hardcopies are provided, please ensure all drawings are 8"x11" or 11"x14".

You will be contacted by the Board Secretary to arrange for payment of the application fee.  The 2024 application fee is $522.00 and must be paid by cheque payable to the “City of Surrey”. Please email the Board Secretary to advise when you will be attending City Hall so that staff are available to meet with you.

The application fee cannot be waived and applications are not processed until payment is received.  

The Building Division will conduct a comprehensive review of the application and will work the applicant/agent to resolve any outstanding issues.  Any outstanding issues must be resolved before an application can be proceed to the Board. Once the review has been complete, the Planning Division will advise the Board Secretary that the application can proceed to the next available meeting.

The Office of the City Clerk will send out notices to the applicant of the appeal, as well as neighbouring property owners and occupants.  The agenda will be published on the City's website.

At the meeting, the applicant will be provided an opportunity to explain the variance requested as well as the undue hardship. The Board will also consider any submissions made by neighbouring property owners (either in person or in writing). The Board will then deliberate and make a decision to approve, deny or defer the appeal at the meeting. The Office of the City Clerk will mail a letter to the applicant to confirm the decision.

A decision made by the Board of Variance is final. However, judicial review of Board decisions is available through the Judicial Review Procedure Act.

Judicial review may occur when it is suspected that the Board exceeds its jurisdiction, breaches the rules of procedural fairness in reaching its decision, or makes an unreasonable decision.